Old Testament
Zechariah 2
Overview
In the third night vision, Zechariah sees a man going out with a measuring line to size up Jerusalem, only to be told to stop: the city will be too full of people and cattle to be contained by walls. Instead, the LORD Himself promises, "I will be to her a wall of fire all around, and I will be the glory in her midst." A jubilant summons follows for the exiles still scattered in Babylon to flee and come home, for whoever touches God's people "touches the apple of his eye." The chapter swells into one of the Old Testament's brightest promises: the nations will be joined to the LORD and become His people too, and "all flesh" is hushed before Him as He rouses Himself from His holy dwelling.
1I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
3And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
4And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
6Ho, ho, come forth , and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
7Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
8For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
9For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
10Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
12And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
13Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.