Zechariah

Zechariah 2: The LORD will live in Zion

Begin in prayer

Before we read of the LORD coming to live among His people, let us stop and come to Him together. Ask Him to quiet our hearts, and to show us how near He comes to those who turn to Him.

I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you will be my people.

Leviticus 26:12

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You will live among Your people and guard them, and help us to see Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line, going to measure Jerusalem to see how wide and how long it is. An angel says Jerusalem will have no walls, because so many people and animals will fill it. The LORD says He Himself will be a wall of fire around the city and the glory in the middle of her. He calls His people to flee from Babylon, and says that whoever touches them touches the apple of His eye. Then He tells Zion to sing, because He is coming to live within her, and many nations will join themselves to Him. Last, all people are told to be silent before Him, because He has roused Himself from His holy home.

As you read Zechariah 2, look for the answers:

• What does the LORD say He will be to Jerusalem? (verse 5)
• What does the LORD promise to do when He comes to Zion? (verse 10)
• Who will join themselves to the LORD, and what will they become? (verse 11)

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD will live among His people, guard them, and make many nations His own.

Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line, and he says he is going to measure Jerusalem (verses 1 and 2). A city with no walls would be open to any attacker. Yet the angel says Jerusalem will be crowded with people and animals, and will need no walls (verse 4). The LORD gives the reason. He says He will be a wall of fire around her and the glory in the middle (verse 5). Some of His people still lived in Babylon, so He calls them to flee and escape (verses 6 and 7). Those who plundered them will be plundered, because His people are the apple of His eye, and He guards them (verses 8 and 9). The best news is in verse 10, where the LORD says, “I come, and I will dwell within you.” Many nations will join themselves to Him and be His people, so His promise reaches past Israel (verse 11).

How does Zechariah 2 show us that the LORD will live among His people, guard them, and make many nations His own?

The LORD Himself will guard His people like a wall of fire.

A city without walls could not be defended, so the angel’s words are a surprise (verse 4). The LORD says He will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem (verse 5). He will also be the glory in the middle of her. Whoever touches His people touches the apple of His eye (verse 8).

The LORD calls His people to leave Babylon and rejoice.

Babylon had carried many people of Judah into exile (2 Kings 25 verse 11). Some still lived there, and the LORD calls them to come and escape (verses 6 and 7). He says He has spread them out like the four winds of the sky (verse 6). Then He tells Zion to sing and rejoice, because He is coming (verse 10).

The LORD will make people from many nations His own.

The LORD says many nations will join themselves to Him in that day (verse 11). They will be His people, and He will live among them. Before He returned to heaven, Jesus sent His followers to all nations (Matthew 28 verse 19). He promised to be with them always (Matthew 28 verse 20).

Memorise

Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion; for, behold, I come, and I will dwell within you,’ says Yahweh.

Zechariah 2:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, why do I need Jesus if I want the LORD to be near me?

“I come, and I will dwell within you,” the LORD told Zion. Jesus is called Immanuel, which means God with us (Matthew 1 verse 23). In Him God came to live among His people as a man (John 1 verse 14).

Sin shuts people out from God, and we cannot open the door ourselves. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for His people. He died once for all their sins, and no more sacrifice is needed. He rose alive from the tomb, and He brings His people near to God.

Now He calls you to come near. Turn from your sin and trust Him, and the LORD will give you forgiveness. Many nations belong to Him, and He calls you to come.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD came to live among sinners in Jesus, and that He calls people from every nation. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for promising to live among His people and to make many nations His own, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so invite each one to speak to Him.

Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Revelation 21:3

Lord God, thank You for promising to live among Your people and to guard them. Thank You for sending Jesus, God with us. Please bring each one of us to turn from sin and trust Him, and help us to rejoice in You this week. Amen.