Zechariah 2
Man with measuring line verse 1- 2
I lifted up mine eyes again – and looked
and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand
THEN said I
Whither goes you?
AND he said unto me – To measure Jerusalem
to see what is the breadth thereof – and what is the length thereof
Second angel speaks verse 3- 5
AND – behold – the angel that talked with me went forth
and another angel went out to meet him
AND 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
For I – says the LORD
will be unto her a wall of fire round about
and will be the glory in the midst of her
Israel is to flee Babylon verse 6- 7
HO – HO – come forth – and flee from the land of the north – says the LORD
for I have spread you aboard as the four winds of the heaven
says the LORD
Deliver yourself – O Zion – that dwells with the daughter of Babylon
LORD deals with Babylon verse 8- 9
FOR thus says the LORD of hosts
After the glory has he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you
for he that touches you touches the apple of HIS eye
FOR – behold – I will shake MINE hand upon them
and they shall be a spoil to their servants
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me
Millennial kingdom verse 10- 13
Sing and rejoice – O daughter of Zion – FOR lo – I come
and I will dwell in the midst of you – says the LORD
AND many nations shall be joined to the LORD IN THAT DAY
and shall be MY people – and I will dwell in the midst of you
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you
AND the LORD shall inherit Judah HIS portion in the holy land
and shall choose Jerusalem again
BE silent – O all flesh – before the LORD
for HE is raised up out of HIS holy habitation
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 For I, says the LORD, will be to her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (2346 “wall” [chowmah] means protective wall, city wall, protection, protective features of a wall for being safe, or barrier of water.)
DEVOTION: The army of the United States is one of the strongest in the world. We have soldiers everywhere. We have Navy ships around the world. We have bases it seems in every nation. But with all these great warriors we still are not able to protect every citizen of the United States.
The LORD makes the statement that HE is a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem. The children of Israel were a protected people even when HE was sending them into captivity for their sins. The nations that HE used to deal with them have to answer for their treatment of them.
In the future during the Millennial Kingdom the glory of the LORD will be manifest in the city of Jerusalem. All the nations will either worship HIM or suffer the consequences. There is no middle ground with the LORD.
This is a promise of the LORD. HE protects HIS children. We are HIS children if we are believers. We are considered New Testament saints. We have a different reward from the Old Testament saints. We have a different reward than those who are Tribulation saints.
CHALLENGE: Are we looking to the LORD for protection each day to help us be the witness HE wants us to be?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 8 For thus says the LORD of hosts; After the glory has he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye. (892 “apple” [babah] means eyeball, pupil, cavity, gate, or center of the eyeball.
DEVOTION: Who is the most important person in your life? Who would you be willing to die for? Who would you fight for if they called you on the phone for help? How many important people do you have in your life? Some people can list no one they would be willing to die for. Many people would be willing to die for their family. Some would be willing to die for a friend.
The LORD is speaking here about the children of Israel. The LORD is going to send judgment to those nations that mistreated Israel. HE allowed it for a time but they would have to pay the consequences for their actions. HE has a long memory.
Why is Israel so important to the LORD? It is because HE considers them the most sensitive part of HIS eye. In a human being the pupil needs to be protected from injury. God’s eyes will never be damaged but those HE considers very important have been hurt and those who hurt them will have to face HIM one day in judgment.
Those who are believers in the New Testament are considered the friend of the LORD. HE gave HIS life for them. HE will protect them. HE has promised never to leave or forsake HIS children.
Time is on the side of the LORD. HIS people are always protected and those who injure them will pay the consequences. Our responsibility is to wait on the LORD to deal with our enemies.
CHALLENGE: Patience in dealing with those who hurt us is necessary. Ask the LORD for help if this is an area where you are struggling.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD (7442 “sing” [ranan] means to overcome, to cry out, shout for joy, triumph or give a ringing cry.
DEVOTION: Israel went into captivity and their captives wanted them to sing songs of Jerusalem but they could not. Now things are different. They were returning to the land and there was a future promise of prosperity for Jerusalem.
Zechariah was sent to measure the city of Jerusalem. An angel met him to tell him of the future glory of the LORD dwelling in Jerusalem. There was going to be so much property that the walls of Jerusalem could not contain all the people and animals.
The LORD issued a warning to the nations that they were touching the “apple of HIS eye” and were going to pay the consequences for what they had done to HIS people. The servants were going to have more than their masters in those heathen nations.
The children of Israel were to shout for joy because the LORD was going to deliver them from their enemies. They were to shout for joy because the LORD promised to dwell in the midst of them. They were to shout for joy because many nations were going to join them in shouting praise to the LORD. They were to shout for joy because they would know that the LORD was the one who was still in control in this world. The heathen nations were to stand in silence before HIS presence.
The children of Israel were going to be shouting for joy while the nations were going to stand in awe of all that the LORD was doing for the nation of Israel. They thought they were in control and found out that the LORD was in control the whole time. This time period is telling us about the Millennial kingdom rule of Christ. HE is going to dwell in Jerusalem.
We are also going to be there while HE is reigning in Jerusalem. We are given the promise that we will be kings in that time period. That is, all those who are faithful to the LORD. Are we being faithful to the calling of the LORD? Are we measuring our time here on this earth with God’s measuring rod? Or are we using the world’s measuring rod? What are we doing for the LORD today?
CHALLENGE: Our singing needs to continually come before the presence of the LORD even now. Sing with all your heart each day because you are in HIS presence each day.
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: 13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. (5782 “raised up” [‘uwr] means to be awake, stir, start to move, or roused)
DEVOTION: There is a statement that we can “wake up a sleeping giant.” It was stated back in our history it was thought that America had a “silent majority” that could change the downward turn in America. There are nations that are considered “sleeping giants.”
The world is told to “hush” before the LORD. It seems to the world that the LORD is sleeping. Some even teach that the LORD created the world and then sat back in HIS rocking chair to watch what is happening here in our world. These are all lies of the enemy.
The LORD knows all about everything that is happening in this world. The angels are reporting to HIM but we also know that HE is omniscient. Satan can’t do more than HE allows. We can’t do more than HE allows. HE is not sleeping.
Judgment day is coming to the nations. Judgment day is coming to human beings. Judgment day is coming to the devil and his angels.
CHALLENGE: Watch what you believe and say regarding the LORD. HE is listening!!!
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Silence verse 13
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Sing verse 10
Rejoice verse 10
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 4- 13
I will be to her a wall of fire round about
for multitude of men and cattle
I will be the glory in the midst of her
Ho, ho come forth and flee from the
land of the north
I have spread you abroad as the
four winds of the heaven
Deliver yourself Zion
After the glory has he sent ME to the
nations which spoiled you
for he that touches you touches
the apple of HIS eye
I will shake MINE hand on them
and they shall be a spoil to
their servants and you
shall know that the
LORD of hosts hath sent me
I come and I will dwell in the midst
of you says the LORD
Many nations shall be MY people
LORD of hosts verse 8, 9, 11
LORD’S people verse 11
I will dwell in the midst of you verse 11
Shall inherit Judah verse 12
HIS portion in the holy land verse 12
HE shall choose Jerusalem again verse 12
Raised up out of HIS holy habitation verse 13
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Another angel (LORD) verse 3- 13
LORD of hosts has sent me
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angel/ man verse 1- 9
Talked with Zechariah
Said: Run, speak , to this young man
Saying Jerusalem shall be
Inhabited as towns
Without walls
Multitude of men and cattle
therein
Another angel verse 3
Went to meet first angel
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Daughter of Babylon verse 7
Nations verse 8, 11
many nations shall be joined to the
LORD in that day
All flesh verse 13
LORD told to be silent before HIM
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Presence of the LORD verse 10, 11
Silence verse 13
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Measuring line in his hand verse 1, 2
measuring Jerusalem
Zechariah (young man) verse 2, 4, 11
Asks “Where are you going?
To see what is the breadth thereof
To see what is the length thereof
Many nations shall know that the
LORD of hosts has sent
me to you
Jerusalem verse 2, 4, 12
Zion verse 7, 10
Apple of HIS eye verse 8
Sing and rejoice O daughter of Zion verse 10
LORD will dwell in the midst of them verse 10
Judah verse 12
Holy Land verse 12
LORD chose Jerusalem again verse 12
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
5 Although Jerusalem will become so large and prosperous that many of its inhabitants will spill over beyond the walls into the “suburbs,” they will still be secure because of the divine protection (“a wall of fire around it”) and the divine presence (“its glory”). It is emphatic in the original, hence NIV’s “I myself.” The “wall of fire” is reminiscent of the “pillar of fire” at the Exodus (Exod 13:21). Both are emblematic of God and his protection and guidance (Isa 4:5–6). In fact, both “fire” and “glory” recall the Exodus (Exod 13:22; 14:20; 40:34). Similarly, the future safety of Jerusalem and its people, including those living in the surrounding unwalled villages, is guaranteed. In addition, there is the promise of the Lord’s glorious presence in regal holiness and majesty (cf. 1:16; Ps 24:7–10). The Lord’s kāḇôḏ (“glory”) is the “weight” of the impression of’ his self-manifestation. Here the manifestation is concerned with the final actualization of his rule (cf. G. von Rad, TDNT, 2:238–42). This anticipates the Lord’s personal presence through the Messiah in his kingdom on earth (cf. 2:11–12; 14:9; Isa 60:19; Ezek 43:1–5, 48:35). So then the literal kingdom will be very spiritual. (Barker, K. L. (1986). Zechariah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, p. 617). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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i.e., the center part of the eyeball, or the entire eyeball (Zec 2:12[EB 8]+), note: the English idiom “apple of the eye” is an appropriate equivalent because it adequately reflects the associative meanings of tenderness and preciousness (Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
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Before quoting the divine message the prophet refers to the simile in Deuteronomy 32:10 (‘he kept him as the apple of his eye’), another allusion to the exodus. (Baldwin, J. G. (1972). Vol. 28: Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (117). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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Such treatment of the Jews is condemned because harming them is like striking the apple of God’s eye, an obvious anthropomorphism “Apple” is literally “gate,” that is, the pupil, an extremely sensitive and vital part of the eye that must be carefully protected. God is so closely identified with his people that they are precious to him, and he is zealous to protect them and take care of them (cf. Deut 32:10; Ps 17:8; Matt 25:34–45; Acts 9:1, 4–5). Verse 9 gives proof of such care. (Barker, K. L. (1986). Zechariah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 7: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.) (618). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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toucheth … the apple of his eye—namely, of Jehovah’s eye (De 32:10; Ps 17:8; Pr 7:2). The pupil, or aperture, through which rays pass to the retina, is the tenderest part of the eye; the member which we most sedulously guard from hurt as being the dearest of our members; the one which feels most acutely the slightest injury, and the loss of which is irreparable. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Zec 2:7). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
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The apple of His eye is a figure taken from Deuteronomy 32:10, the “apple” (lit., “gate or opening”) probably referring to the pupil of the eye, that part of the eye most easily injured, the most demanding of protection. Here it symbolizes Israel under God’s protective care. (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Zec 2:6–9). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Harming God’s chosen people is like striking the pupil of God’s eye. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Zec 2:8). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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FROM MY READING:
TOZERSPEAKS (volume two) by A. W. Tozer
Religion as a form is one of the heaviest burdens that has ever been laid upon the human race, and we must observe that it is a self-medicating burden. Men and women who are conscious of their moral and spiritual disorders try to medicate themselves, hoping to get better by their own treatment. (p. 387)\
Mankind is still inventing new ways of self-treatment and medication for failures and weaknesses and wrongdoing, even in our own day, not recognizing that the cure has already come. (p. 388)
Remember that when our Lord hung on the cross, a superscription was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin and placed on the cross above His head: “This is Jesus Christ, King of the Jews.” Someone has pointed out that in doing this, God had taken in the whole world. Hebrew stands for religion; Greek for philosophy, and Latin for Rome’s military prowess. All the possibilities of human experience on a world scale were taken in. (p. 394-5)
You say, then: “Why doesn’t everybody come”
Because of inexcusable stubbornness.
Because of unbelief
Because of preoccupation with other things.
Because we do not believe that we really need Him! (pg. 396)
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Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe
Liberty is no guarantee of maturity. (p. 84)
Israel’s complaining and criticizing was a constant irritation to both Moses and the Lord. But this juvenile attitude is also true of many of God’s people today who should be enjoying their freedom in Christ. (p. 84)
Children obey because they fear punishment, but mature people obey out of love and devotion. (p. 84)
Every temptation we overcome can help to sharpen our spiritual eyes and strengthen our spiritual muscles, and every trial can help us grow in grace. (p. 85)
Have you grown enough in your spiritual life that you can be thankful for unanswered prayer? (p. 85)
Provoking God by our childishness and rebellion only grieves HIM and robs us of the best HE has planned for us. (p; 85)
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Jonah 1
Jonah suffers the consequences of refusing to obey God’s call.
INSIGHT
Jonah is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25 and is very likely a strong patriot of the nation Israel. As a result, he finds it an odious task to preach repentance to Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, the country which is one day to conquer Israel. Rather than go on this errand of mercy, Jonah chooses to hurry to the seaport at Joppa for the fastest transit in the opposite direction. This is a commission that will not be denied, however, and God causes him to be swallowed by a great fish in which Jonah wisely repents and subsequently carries the warning message to Nineveh. The people of Nineveh repent—as Jonah feared—and the nation is preserved as an instrument of judgment for Israel almost 100 years later. (Quiet Walk)
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THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:3
We are not given a fully detailed account or philosophy of creation, and yet we claim that the account that we are given is wholly accurate. The Bible claims that it is from God. We read in Hebrews 11:3, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” God gave an account of the creation to Moses or someone else; so it is not man’s ideas or theories. The biblical account does not, however, claim to explain everything.
Second, we must be clear about what creation means. It has been defined as “that free act of God whereby He…in the beginning brought forth the whole visible and invisible universe without the use of pre-existing materials, and thus gave it an existence distinct from His own and yet always dependent on Him” (Berkhof).
Now, we hold to that as against other theories that have been put forward. There are those who believe that matter itself is eternal, while others believe in the spontaneous generation of matter and its spontaneous development. Other views are that God simply worked to form matter that already existed or that matter is just an emanation of the divine substance. Pantheism teaches that matter is but a form of God–that it is God. On the other hand, those who believe in dualism say that God and matter are eternal, while some teach that the world was produced by an antagonistic spirit, another god or demiurge.
But the biblical doctrine is clear: God made everything out of nothing. The world has a distinct existence, but it is always dependent upon God. “By him,” says Paul, “all things consist” (Colossians 1:17).
A Thought to Ponder: The biblical doctrine is clear: God made everything out of nothing.
(From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 127-128, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Wisdom of God
“And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.” (1 Kings 3:28)
The “wisdom of God,” as attributed to Solomon, is an awesome concept, because God Himself is omniscient. Apparently Solomon was given a greater share of the divine wisdom than any others of his generation, and probably more than most of any generation.
God also gave him “largeness of heart” (1 Kings 4:29). Not only did he build and effectively rule a great kingdom, but “he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five” (1 Kings 4:32). Included in these, of course, were three divinely inspired books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon), which are now in our Bibles.
Furthermore, he was a scientist, for “he spake of trees, . . . of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes” (1 Kings 4:33-34).
Sadly, in his old age, he also acquired a goodly portion of “the wisdom of this world” (1 Corinthians 2:6) that must “come to nought,” and which led eventually to a loss of part of his kingdom.
The phrase “the wisdom of God” occurs six other times in Scripture (Ezra 7:25; Luke 11:49; 1 Corinthians 1:21, 24; 2:7; Ephesians 3:10). In the Corinthian passages, the eternal divine wisdom is being contrasted with the very temporal and often misguided wisdom of man.
In Ephesians 3:10 is found the remarkable revelation that the angels (who themselves have tremendous wisdom—note 2 Samuel 14:20) are themselves being taught “the manifold wisdom of God.” And these instructions are conveyed “by the church”—that is, by the amazing way in which God has created and redeemed man for eternal fellowship with Himself. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Fourth, he is accountable to others and learns from them. Jesus sent HIS apostles out two by two because God’s servants need each other. “Two are better than one,” advised Solomon, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Eccl.4:9-10 NKJV). This doesn’t leave much room for the “Lone Ranger’ type of servant who commands everybody but answers to nobody. (p. 97, 10 Power Principles for Christian Service by Warren W. & David W. Wiersbe)
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