We need the Contemporary English Version for today’s Word.
Same night, third vision for our prophet, Zechariah:
This time I saw someone holding a measuring line, and I asked, “Where are you going?”
“To measure Jerusalem,” was the answer. “To find out how wide and long it is.”
The angel who had spoken to me was leaving, when another angel came up to him and said, “Hurry! Tell that man with the measuring line that Jerusalem won’t have any boundaries. It will be too full of people and animals even to have a wall. The Lord himself has promised to be a protective wall of fire surrounding Jerusalem, and he will be its shining glory in the heart of the city.”
(Zechariah 2:1-5)
Do you not love verses 4 & 5? “…Jerusalem won’t have any boundaries. It will be too full of people and animals to even have a wall…”
Oh, oh. Yes it will. Too full because His goodness will spread among all nations.
“And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the LORD, “and I will be its glory within.” (NIV)
“And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.” (ESV)
Fiery passion for His Bride. His incendiary presence the glory in our midst.
No one is like Him. Nothing is worth compromising our relationship with Him.
The Lord says to his people, “Run! Escape from the land in the north, where I scattered you to the four winds. Leave Babylonia and hurry back to Zion.”
Then the glorious Lord All-Powerful ordered me to say to the nations that had raided and robbed Zion:
Zion is as precious to the Lord as are his eyes. Whatever you do to Zion, you do to him. And so, he will put you in the power of your slaves, and they will raid and rob you. Then you will know that I am a prophet of the Lord All-Powerful.
City of Zion, sing and celebrate! The Lord has promised to come and live with you. When he does, many nations will turn to him and become his people. At that time you will know that I am a prophet of the Lord All-Powerful. Then Judah will be his part of the holy land, and Jerusalem will again be his chosen city.
Everyone, be silent!
The Lord is present
and moving about
in his holy place.
(Zechariah 2:6-13 CEV)
God disciplines us carefully and with a Father’s heart. And when others attack without that Fatherly love? Well, what they do to us, they do to Him.
And He won’t tolerate it.
“For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.’ (NASB)
For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me. (ESV)
Whoever touches you touches His pupil, the most tender part. We are His cherished treasure. Others should have holy fear of messing with us.
Why?
What you do to her, you do to Me.
I will be to her a wall of fire all around.
And we will know He is the LORD All-Powerful.