Minor Prophets LXXXVII: The Angel of The Lord

Zechariah 1:18-21 is Vision #2: Zechariah looks up in his vision and sees four horns. He asks the angel, “What are these?” He is answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.” The LORD then shows him four craftsmen and again Zechariah asks, “What are these coming to do?” Again Zechariah is answered, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise their head” We then see the encouragement or reason for optimism in this passage. The craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people. Over centuries God’s people have suffered at the hands of their enemies. Here we see God vindicate His people.

Zechariah 2:1-13 is Vision #3: The remnant that had returned to Judah would have a difficult time. God assures that he would indeed come to dwell among His people. The man with the measuring line appears to be the Angel of the Lord. Israel’s Messiah. Jesus. Others may think they control Jerusalem but in reality it is Jesus. By measuring the city He is declaring it is His. He will accomplish His divine purposes, rip, snort or bust. It also symbolizes something else. Jerusalem will expand and have future glory as it never had in the past. There will be abundant population and there will be no need of walls since the walls will be the Lord Himself as a “wall of fire”.

The Lord admonishes the Jews still in Babylon to leave and join the remnant in Jerusalem. They were not to remain in the comfort of the foreign city when they are direly need in there own country and city. He specifically summons those that were putting their comfort ahead of their obligations. Being one of the most vital organs of the “body”, the eye, the Jews are the apple of His eye and are highly prized. Since this is referring to the iris of the eye it is considered delicate also. The Messiah is coming and for this reason His people should rejoice. He will dwell among them. Him being their means (by default) restoration of some sort. It is also in Zech 2:12 where we see the only reference to Jerusalem being the “holy land”

Zechariah 3:1-4 is Vision #4: The Lord shows Zechariah, Joshua the High Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord. It appears it immediately makes sense to him since there are no questions. In the vision Joshua along with the pre-incarnate Christ (Angel of the Lord). We also see Satan the accuser and attending angels. The attending angels are told to take off of Joshua’s filthy clothes. He then tells Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” This is symbolic of removing sin from Jerusalem and Joshua alike. Joshua is “symbolic of things to come”. This amounts to acquittal. Joshua is then in festal and rich garments. This suggests a joy of being reinstated in the priesthood to serve God.

He is then told that, “If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.” This is a highly privileged position as he will have free access to God. Privileged indeed. God will be bringing His servant, the Branch, Jesus Christ. In verse 9 we see Jesus referred to as the Stone, a stone with seven eyes (intelligence and knowledge?). He will remove the sin of the land will be removed in a single day and in that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree. Here we see forgiven people living in peace, prosperity and is probably referring to a period of millennial blessing.

Wiersbe, Warren W.. "Zechariah: God And His People." The Bible Exposition Commentary . 1. print. ed. Colorado Springs, Colo.: Victor, 2001. 449-450. Print.