CRITICAL NOTES.] The third vision. Man] Messiah, who measures and will restore the city.
Zechariah 2:2. Measure] To sketch a plan for its arrangement and rebuilding, denoting exactness of proportions and completeness of number (Revelation 2:1; Revelation 21:15-16).
Zechariah 2:4. Run] Necessity of despatch. Young man] Zechariah young in service or in age, probably between 20 and 30 years old. Jerusalem] to have vast influx of men and cattle, no longer to be confined in narrow walls and fixed limits, but spread out like the open country (Isaiah 49:19-20; Ezekiel 38:11).
Zechariah 2:5. Wall] Protection, in allusion to nightly encampments, when fires were kindled to keep off wild beasts. Glory] Illustrious displays of God’s presence; an allusion to the Divine presence in the Holiest (Romans 9:4).
HOMILETICS
THE MEASURED CITY.—Zechariah 2:1-5
The third vision continues the subject of the second—the rebuilding of the city and temple of Jerusalem. The one represents the destruction of Israel’s foes, the other the increase and security of the covenant nation. The prophet sees a man with a measuring-line advancing on the scene, and asks the meaning. The answer is given, that Jerusalem is about to be measured, with a view to future glory and extension.
I. The city accurately measured. “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.” When a house or city is built or enlarged a survey is made. When Constantine resolved to erect a metropolis for his mighty empire, he set out on foot, at the head of a procession, to trace its boundary. His attendants expressed astonishment at the breadth of the circuit he was taking. “I shall still advance, till he, my Invisible Guide, thinks proper to stop,” was the reply. He halted not till wide over seven hills the limits were fixed. Then millions from all parts of his dominions set to work with wonderful success. The Church has an architect,—“whose builder and maker is God.” Before a stone was laid, the dimensions were taken, and the plan formed. If men form plans before they build, shall not God? In creation we have order and measurement, in providence purpose and gradual fulfilment. God knows the number and condition of the Christian Church—the true and the false professors. On earth and in heaven this city is defined in its proportions, and exact in its size (Revelation 2:1; Revelation 21:15-16).
II. The city greatly enlarged. “Jerusalem was to be inhabited as towns without walls.” The former limits of the city would be too narrow. The inhabitants shall become so many that they shall spread out and dwell securely in the open country. Earthly walls may defend, but they limit and straiten a city. Barriers will be removed, and the boundaries of the Church shall extend far and wide. Literally, this was verified. Josephus and others tell us that the citizens “gradually crept out beyond its walls,” and grew “to a number which the city in its ancient dimensions could not supply with dwellings.” Spiritually, the Mosaic walls were thrown down, and the limits of the Church extended to others far beyond the Jewish nation. Now the “line” of the gospel “is gone out through all the earth.” There is yet room for “every kindred and people and nation and tongue.” Of the increase of this city there will be no end. Its inhabitants at length will be “a multitude which no man can number.”
III. The city Divinely protected. “The Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about,” &c. No danger will happen to the unwalled city. God would encamp round it, a wall of fire, to consume every foe that invades it. Moats may be crossed, massive walls may be assailed, and mighty ramparts be overturned; but a circle of flame is an impassable barrier. The walls of Babylon were levelled to the ground, the hills round Jerusalem were scaled, and proud cities have been destroyed; but God is the defence without and the glory within the Church. It is a strong city, and God has appointed salvation for walls and bulwarks (Isaiah 26:1). “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth even for ever.”
In Zechariah 2:4-5, three things are promised respecting the literal Jerusalem.
I. Extension. Notice the correspondence between Zechariah 2:4 and the representation in the first vision (chap. Zechariah 1:16-17). The expression, “shall be inhabited without walls” (or as a modern translator gives, “as unwalled villages”), has a meaning sufficiently obvious; viz. that the former limits of the city which “the man with the measuring-line” was about to take, would be too straitened for the number of its inhabitants; so that they would spread themselves out into surrounding localities. This was literally fulfilled. For a time immediately after the return from Babylon, under Nehemiah, the building and extension were rapid. The progress suffered interruption—adverse and prosperous seasons,—opposition and favour; till, in the period of the heroic Maccabees, “Jerusalem, blessed with freedom and prosperity, filled the extent of her walls with citizens, resumed her royal insignia under native princes, overpassed her former boundaries,—and, as the head of a populous and extensive territory, rose to a state of opulence, power, dignity, and splendour which she had not known since the division of Israel and Judah” [Stonard].
II. Security. This is implied, to a certain extent, in the former particular. The very idea of dwelling “without walls” implies confidence or felt safety. But mark the striking promise (Zechariah 2:5). The figure is most vivid and expressive. As a literal “wall of fire,” environing a city, would effectually prevent intrusion by consuming all who should venture to attempt it; so would Jehovah’s avenging jealousy destroy every assailant of the holy city. He himself would be its unseen but sure protection. Had the inhabitants—Israel and Judah generally—in former days exercised faith in God, walked in his fear, maintained the purity of his worship, and the practice of his laws, its walls had never been overthrown, nor its temple demolished; it would have been as safe without walls as with them; it would never have experienced its seventy years’ desolation, nor its people the same period of captivity and oppression. Now he had begun their promised restoration and engages to invest their city anew with his all protecting presence and power. The figure resembles the vision in 2 Kings 6:15-17.
III. Glory. “The glory in the midst of her.” Jehovah’s presence, “dwelling between the cherubim,” was from the beginning and all along the true glory of ancient Jerusalem. Its Shekinah was glorious; but this was only the visible symbol of an infinitely more glorious presence. The Jews counted the fire, and the temple, the ark, the altar, and the pomp of ritual their glory. But these external glories did nothing for them. When by their sins they drove Jehovah from them their true glory departed. When he took up anew his abode with them—that would be their glory. He would also be glorified in delivering them from thraldom, protecting them in danger, receiving their homage, vindicating their rights, and avenging their wrongs [Wardlaw condensed].
HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES
Zechariah 2:1-5. I believe this passage refers to a happy and glorious future, yet to come, when the city of Jerusalem shall have no walls, except the protection of the Lord, but shall be extended far and wide. The Jewish people and their royal city shall remain the centre of the manifestations of the Divine glory, just as the city of London still remains the centre of the metropolis; but the nations of the earth shall be joined unto the Lord; so that while Jerusalem remains the city of the Great King, the faithful among the people of all nations shall be, as it were, a suburban population to the chosen city, and the kingdom of the Messiah shall extend far and wide. The city will be rebuilt in more than former splendour—the Jews restored to their own land, and Messiah reign as a prince of the house of David. The text will bear an application to the Church and congregation.
1. First, let us see the man with the measuring-line in his hand. It is possible that the man in the text was nothing but a man. I have intense reverence to the angel, but entire dislike to the man, with the measuring-line. Men err in measuring the length and breadth of God’s true Church. 2. Hear the prophecy of a great extension of the kingdom of Christ. Look for it now. Learn that the supply for all the number shall be as great as is required. The cattle are the provisions for the population. God will give whatever provision the Church wants. Divine love shall be very sweetly enjoyed among all the members. The joy of the Divine presence will be common.
3. Observe where this great increase is to come from. From two sources, indicated in Zechariah 2:6-7. Multitudes are to come out of the world. People of God are scattered everywhere, but God knows them and will bring them together. A large number do not believe in Christ, but dwell with the daughter of Babylon. From unconverted men and women we expect the greatest increase through the Spirit’s power. We are looking for it, and praying for it; may God grant it [Spurgeon].
Zechariah 2:1 to Zechariah 4:1. It is our duty to inquire into God’s dealings with his Church, search out his mind, and read his word.
2. Such as would see the true condition of the Church have need of elevated and spiritual minds, enlightened by God. “I lifted up mine eyes,” &c. [cf. Hutcheson].
3. Those who inquire in the right spirit shall be lightened to discern the safety and glory of the Church.
(1) Enlightened wonderfully. Angels and prophets were commanded to teach.
(2) Enlightened earnestly. “Run, speak,” &c “Not go, but run; yea, fly swiftly, with weariness of flight, as Daniel 9:21. Christ thinks it long ere his praying people hear from him” [Trapp].
Zechariah 2:4. Run, speak. A sermon to young men. Speak to him of his mental, moral, and spiritual interests. Speak in earnestness, and without delay. “Run.” Remember the honour God has conferred upon you in giving you the command to speak. “The angel tells the prophet, but the prophet must tell the people; God using not the ministry of angels, but men, earthen vessels, to bear his name to his people (Acts 8:27; Acts 9:6; Acts 16:9” [Trapp].
Zechariah 2:5. God the beauty and the bulwark of the Church. His presence a pledge of his protection, a provision for outward and inward wants. Zion’s true glory is not in architecture and ritual, in eloquence and music, but in the presence of God’s Spirit, quickening the saint. “When the Lord converting the sinner and shall build up Zion, he will appear in glory.”
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 2
Zechariah 2:1-4. Behold, a man. All Zechariah’s visions are remarkably simple. They are not like Isaiah’s, when he saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; nor like Ezekiel’s, when he beheld living creatures with four faces, and wheels full of eyes. Zechariah had not imagination enough to be capable of beholding with due appreciation visions so complicated and mysterious. He was not the proper instrument of God for the revelation of those more mysterious matters: but the Lord had a place for him, and a vision for him too. How sweet to be a servant of God in any position [Spurgeon].
Zechariah 2:5. Wall. China is said to be protected by a wall of stone; old England is shielded by her wooden walls; but the Church of God has a better wall still, for she has the Divine wall of fire; her enemies cannot break through this to destroy the meanest of her citizens, and her false friends shall say to themselves, “Who among us can dwell with eternal burnings?” and so shall start back from a Church which is visibly sheltered and protected by the presence of the Most High [Spurgeon].