A Man with a Measuring Line

A Man with a measuring line (Zechariah 2:1-11)

Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 I asked, “Where are you going?”

He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”

3 While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him 4 and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. 5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’

6 “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord, “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the Lord.

7 “Come, Zion! Escape, you who live in Daughter Babylon!” 8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— 9 I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.

10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

Introduction:

The three visions of Zechariah point to the marvelous salvation in the world happened 700 year later in the world. Although it was happened actually, the detailed events shall be accomplished in Christ. Actually we live in the grace of the redemption. We now see the wonderful salvation in the world.

The restoration of Zion points the redemption of the church. The text reveals the redemption of the church in the earth through some symbolism. What are the proofs that restored the Zion?

God’s protection shall be happened in the city.

Verses 4-5 says “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. 5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’”
What does it mean? The city without the walls points the picture of restoration of God. God Himself will protect Jerusalem against every enemy as the garden of Eden. It make us thought the picture of Immanuel.(Mt28:20) And God himself will become the wall of fire. As God put the sword of fire on the outside of Eden to protect the garden. (Gen3). This is the picture of the New Testament salvation. As we know, the personal salvation include the absolute salvation out of the inside enemy and the outside enemy. What are our outside enemy? The world, the Satan and the secular culture etc. are out enemies. Jesus proclaimed that He overcome the world.(Jn ) And he had bound the Satan with his almighty power as the stronger one. ( ), And also He renewed the secular culture in the world. ( Rom12: ) And he destroyed the inside enemies, sinful desire, the desire of Physical desire, the desire of eyes and the desire of pride of this life. (Ijn2:)
We believe that promise and serve Him in Cambodia culture. Even though we have some problems in our lives, we have to challenge to the worldly enemies. Among them we know that the strongest enemy is our sinful desire.

When Christ was crossed on the Calvary it had been died by his power. (Gal2: )

Ex: Gehazi was surprised at the angels to protect the city, but now we know that our protection shall be the complete in the Spirit. Nobody can overcome us in Christ. Do you believe in it? John 10 says “ “ it points the double protection for us.

Whenever, wherever we go God protect us out of all danger. Look at the rider on the red horse in the deep valley. Following Him always we can overcome all kinds of enemies and receive crown. (Ps 23: )

According to this protection we can serve the Lord to attain to the goal of victory.

God’s righteousness shall be establish against the Babylon

Verses 7-9 says. “Come, Zion! Escape, you who live in Daughter Babylon!” 8 For this is what the LORD Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me.”
What does this picture say to us? It reveals the destruction of the enemy in the world. So the righteousness of God shall be stand firm on them. The wave of righteousness and justice shall rise on the world strongly. (Is. )
The righteousness of redemption shall established in the world. So we have to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness in the world.
The influence of the righteousness revels peace and delight in the world. We shall enjoy the grace in our lives.

Ex:

God’s plan of the completed salvation shall be in all nation.

Verses 10-13 says that “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. 11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
The wonderful salvation of absolute protection and the righteousness of the Lord shall be developed into the the kingdom of God in all nation. Specially the salvation of God was settled on all nations through the Israelite. But because Israel was failed by their sinful desire, God himself shall establish the righteousness in all nations. As Isaiah prophesied It shall be accomplished.
Today our salvation were included in the promise. So we have to give thankfulness to God and would like to receive the small grace out of God. as the Canaan woman longed to God. He always have to have the humble heart in his life because of seeing wonderful great glory of salvation.
At our Christian life in Cambodia we have to apply this fact to our detailed life. We have to search for the people of God in the city.

Conclusion: