Zechariah 2: Call To Flee The (Spiritual) Exile
Zechariah 2: Call To Flee The (Spiritual) Exile
Collin Leong. January 8, 2025
(v1-5) Jerusalem Do Not Need A Wall (Ezekiel 40:1-4)
(v1-5) I lifted my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked him where is he going? He said, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and its length." The angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came to meet him, and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, 'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst."
Exp: The angel with the measuring line was attempting to measure the size of Jerusalem; however, before he begins, another angel told the angel who had been speaking to Zechariah to tell him that Jerusalem shall have no walls. It appears that the angel that gave the order (v4) has higher authority. This could be the "angel of the Lord".
The vision contrasts human expectations (a walled, measurable city) with divine reality (an expansive, unbounded community). v5 is the LORD speaking - instead of a wall, the LORD, will protect it with a wall of fire, and He will be the glory in their midst. The city is envisioned as open, welcoming, and too vast for traditional fortifications. It anticipates a future where God’s people are not limited by geography or defensive structures.
This prophecy may happen during the 1000 years reign of Jesus when he returns. (See Rev 20:4-6; Isaiah 2:2-4; Jeremiah 3:17). In fact, after the 1000 years are over, God will create a "New Jerusalem" coming down from heaven - it is a cube that is so large that it extends into space. (See my blog on Revelation 21)
(v6-9) The Exiles Are Called Home (Ezekiel 40:1-4)
(v6-7) Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the LORD. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens. Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.
Exp: In v6-7, the LORD continues to speak ("declares the LORD"), calling those who are still living in Babylon, so that they can participate in rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem (Though Babylon lies east of Judah geographically, invasions came from the north, so it became a symbolic designation.) Many Jews chose to remain in Babylon after Cyrus allowed them to return (538 BCE) because life there had become stable, prosperous, and familiar, while Jerusalem was devastated, insecure, and economically difficult to rebuild.
(v8-9) For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye. "Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me."
In v8, the "angel" is saying that "after his glory" (In NIV, it says "the Glorious One") sent him to the nations, the LORD of hosts said "who touches you (Israel) touches the apple of his eye." In Hebrew, the phrase "apple of the eye" refers to the "little man of the eye" (the reflection seen in the pupil). It conveys intimacy, sensitivity, and value. To harm Israel is to strike at God Himself, showing His intimate care and fierce protection.
In v9, the angel speaks with authority - “I will shake my hand over them” - yet also distinguishes himself by saying, “Then you will know the Lord of hosts has sent me.” This duality is typical of the angel of the Lord passages, where the messenger speaks with God’s authority but also refers to God as the sender. Some scholars say that this "angel" is the pre-incarnate Christ.
(v10-13) Dwelling With All The Nations.
(v10-12) "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem."
Exp: In v10, the LORD is now speaking - "I will dwell in your midst..." Other nations (gentile nations) will join the LORD "in that day", and shall be my people. This refers to the end-time when Jesus defeat the evils nations, and those who survive the Armageddon will believe in Him and become His people (Rev 17:4, 19:15; Zechariah 14:16).
In v11b, the LORD says that "I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you." It seems that the LORD is saying that He Himself send Himself to you. The only way this is possible is that the person who LORD is actually the "angel of the Lord", that is the pre-incarnate Christ who is one with the LORD.
(v13) Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for he has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.
Exp: Similar calls to silence appear in Habakkuk 2:20 (“The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him”) and Zephaniah 1:7 (“Be silent before the Lord GOD!”). God is pictured as rising from His heavenly throne to act on His promises to bring all the nations together and to dwell in Jerusalem. The chapter builds from vision (vv.1–5), command (vv.6–7), promise (vv.8–12), to this final universal summons (v.13).
Key Messages
Zechariah 2 presents a vision of Jerusalem’s future glory and God’s protective presence. The chapter begins with a man measuring Jerusalem, symbolizing its restoration and expansion. An angel declares that the city will overflow with people and livestock, yet God Himself will be its wall of fire and glory within. The LORD then calls His people to flee from Babylon, promising judgment on the nations that plundered them. Finally, He announces that He will dwell among His people, drawing many nations to Himself, and commands all flesh to be silent before His majesty. Zechariah 2 thus moves from vision to divine promise, showing that God’s presence ensures protection, expansion, and inclusion of the nations in His covenant.
1. Vision of Jerusalem’s Expansion (vv. 1–5)
A man measures Jerusalem, but the angel declares it will be a city without walls because of its vast population. The LORD Himself will be its wall of fire and glory within.
Application: God’s plans for His people exceed human boundaries. We must trust His protection and presence rather than rely solely on human defenses or limitations.
2. Call to Flee from Babylon (vv. 6–7)
The LORD commands His people to escape from the land of the north (Babylon), urging them to return to Zion.
Application: God calls us to leave places of compromise and captivity. Spiritual renewal requires separating from systems of oppression and returning to His presence.
3. Judgment on the Nations (vv. 8–9)
The LORD declares that those who plundered Israel will themselves become plunder. Whoever touches Israel touches the “apple of His eye.”
Application: God defends His people with deep care. We can rest in His justice, knowing that He sees every wrong and will vindicate His people in His time.
4. Promise of God’s Dwelling and Inclusion of Nations (vv. 10–12)
The LORD announces He will dwell in Jerusalem, and many nations will join themselves to Him, becoming His people. Judah will be His inheritance.
Application: God’s presence is the ultimate blessing. His kingdom is expansive, welcoming people from every nation. We are called to rejoice in His dwelling among us and embrace the global scope of His covenant.
5. Universal Call to Silence Before the LORD (v. 13)
All flesh is commanded to be silent, for the LORD has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.
Application: Reverence is the proper response to God’s majesty. In a noisy world, we must cultivate holy silence, acknowledging His sovereignty and preparing ourselves for His decisive action.
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