Word of Salvation – Vol. 49 No.47 – December 2004

 

Our Security Blanket

 

Sermon by Rev J Zuidema on Zechariah 2:1-5

 Scripture Reading: John 17:20-26; Revelation 20:11-15

Suggested Hymns: BoW 122; 419; 153; 150; 515

 

Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

One thing you really notice in the western world is the increased awareness of security. Today, many don’t take their pet dogs for a walk, the pet dog takes them for a walk because they are so big. In America, more people have ‘rock wheelers’ than ever before. In the 1970s, when we lived on the farm, we had keys for the front and back door, but seldom remembered to lock it. Today, many people not only have locks, they have security systems that detect the slightest movement and start an alarm. Cars have burglar alarms, which are so common and so sensitive that when they do go off, they hardly get a second look. No one takes too much notice. There has also been a marked increase in home security.

Recent events, particularly 9/11, have caused many countries to be concerned about airport and national security. As a result we see sniffer dogs, metal detectors, x-ray screening, armed patrols with semi automatic rifles, and now digital photos and finger printing are being introduced.

Now on the one hand we need to be thankful to God for His gracious provision that we can travel so safely and have these other resources available. But what do you do when you don’t have these resources?

How comfortable would you sleep at night knowing that there is no protection from enemies and robbers and those who would do you harm?

That is really the position the returning exiles found themselves in. They had no such security. They were weak and vulnerable. According to Ezra chapter 4, the people around them discouraged them and made them afraid.

And so the Lord, graciously through His prophet Zechariah, desires to encourage them. In the first oracle, Zechariah called on God’s people to return to God and He would graciously return to them. In the second oracle, Zechariah reminded them that God is for them and with them despite what it may seem to them. Not only that, Chapter 1:7-21 makes it pretty obvious that God is going to punish the other nations who were guilty of their inhumane treatment of God’s people.

And now in Chapter 2 the prophet lifts his eyes to observe yet another vision that will be a further encouragement. He sees a man holding a measuring line. We have already learned previously (in 1:16) that the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem as the rebuilding of the city gets underway in earnest.

So we are now given the feeling that things are moving in the right direction. The text doesn’t really tell us who this man with the measuring line is, but what he is doing is important as far as explaining the intent of this vision.

The man and his measuring line are symbols of the rebuilding that is going to take place under God’s blessing. It seems that this man is already responding positively to the first two oracles, for he is intent on measuring the city. He’s in a hurry. He wants to get on with the job, especially now that they have been told they will enjoy God’s favour.

But there is a twist and the scene changes. For suddenly the angel of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Christ, leaves Zechariah and another angel, perhaps one of the ones under the myrtle trees who earlier on reported peace on the earth, comes to meet him. You can imagine Zechariah’s hesitancy here. What is going to happen? What are they discussing amongst themselves? The suspense is growing. And then in verse 4 we are told the answer and there is urgency in the text.

The angel is told, ‘Run after that young man with the measuring line and tell him that Jerusalem will be a city without walls!’ The man with the measuring line has underestimated God’s blessing and care for His people, for Jerusalem will grow far beyond the walls that this man envisaged.

Jerusalem would contain vast numbers of people and cattle that no walls could hold. Wow! What a great encouragement for these once demoralised and reluctant people! National welfare and prosperity are back on the table, guaranteed because of God’s blessing.

This is no less than what was prophesied by other Old Testament prophets and is reason for great rejoicing! Isaiah 54:1 says: ‘Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.’ Ezekiel 36:10-11 says: ‘And I will multiply the number of people… The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. I will increase the number of men and animals… and they will be fruitful and become numerous… and I will make you prosper more than before.’ Ezekiel 36:37-38 says: ‘…I will make their people as numerous as sheep… So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people.’

So blessing upon blessing is coming their way! From the perspective of the New Testament, this motif encompasses the church of Jesus Christ, recalling the promise to Abraham that he would be the father of a multitude.

In Galatians 4:27 the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1 to support the view that the church, the spiritual Jerusalem, will one day give birth to vast numbers of children. The spiritual Jerusalem is the metaphor used by Paul to give expression to God’s people who have found freedom in Christ because of God’s grace. It refers to those who have been called out of darkness and into the marvellous light of God’s Son.

So what a beautiful encouragement and promise for the returning exiles, but also for us today! God cares for His people and will protect them. And that was not just true for God’s people way back then, it extends all the way to include the people of God today! Ever since Christ inaugurated the New Testament church, history records the failed attacks of political forces and philosophical religious ideologies poised against the church. The iron and bamboo curtain countries tried for years to squash the church, without success. And even the forces at work today, no matter how powerful, cannot destroy the quest of the human soul for God or obliterate the spiritual peace that comes to those who find the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. Indeed, even the gates of hell will not prevail against her!

The fact that Jerusalem will exist without walls to protect her causes one to ask the question, ‘What or who will protect her then?’ God’s people were comfortable with having walls around their cities for security. It allowed them to sleep at night. This was the way they could protect themselves from the advancing armies and others who would do them harm.

Well it’s not the security systems or jet fighters flying overhead, or finger printing everyone that moves, but God will protect Jerusalem. God will become for His people a fiery wall, a barrier that not only shuts out the enemy, but consumes all those who attempt to attack them. In the Hebrew text this is an emphatic phrase. ‘I, I will be to her a wall of fire.’ This emphasises Yahweh’s personal intervention on behalf of His people. It’s not the first time we see this protection and the use of the fire metaphor.

Fire is used as God’s presence in the burning bush episode. Fire is used to refine metals and the dross is left behind. Fire is a symbol of protection. When Elisha’s servant got up in the morning and saw all the army with horses and chariots ready to pounce on Elisha in the city of Dotham, Elisha prayed that the Lord would open his servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire ready to protect Elisha.

But again, congregation, what an amazing encouragement for these exiles who had recently returned from exile. They could begin their labours without having to worry about threats from outside.

But what about within? Isn’t that also where there was an obvious problem. To their shame, the temple was not completed, and the work had only just begun after sixteen years of doing nothing. Well what better answer could they have received than to know that God would be the glory in their midst. They will rebuild and God will dwell among them. God would be their glory.

God will be the glory among His people by vindicating Himself as the Almighty one, the ruler of the nations, the One who controls their destinies. He will control the course of events in such a way that His promises to them would be fulfilled. The prophet Ezekiel had watched in dismay as the glory of God departed from Jerusalem, allowing the Babylonians to attack the city. Zechariah assured his hearers that God’s glorious presence would one day take up its abode with His people.

This promise encompasses the returning exiles, but also God’s people of all ages. The primary intention of this vision is to assure all God’s people that He is present with them and will protect them. This principle would have meant so much to the citizens of Jerusalem and Judah in Zechariah’s day, but it has equal if not more significance for us today.

If God promised to be with His people then, how much more so now that He has given his own Son to save us. But even before Jesus hung on the cross as punishment for our sins, He affirmed his spiritual presence amongst all His followers. John 14:18 says, ‘I will not leave you as orphans! I will come to you!’

Jesus was speaking about His presence with believers through His own Holy Spirit. ‘On that day you will realise that I am in the Father, and you are in me and I am in you!’ We find a similar theme in John 16:12 ff. And again in John 17:23, ‘I in them and you in me.’

The Lord’s high priestly prayer is that His people may be one and involves their divine protection. Matthew 28:20 says, ‘I will be with you till the end of the age.’ The vision of the man with the measuring line transcends time and country, incorporating in its scope the people of God of all ages, races, cultures, and country!

Congregation, as individuals and as a country we have certain home base securities in place. And for that there is much reason for thanks.

And as much as I am concerned about home and security, I am more concerned about your spiritual well being, for that will determine your eternal security.

Are you a child of Christ? Do you belong to Him? Do you trust in Him as your Lord and Saviour? It’s only when you can say -~yes’ to those questions that we can have confidence in the Lord’s protection.

If you can say -~yes’, then be assured that you are forever safe. You can never fall out of God’s eternal hands. You are safe, for not only does God protect you, you have the Holy Spirit within you who guarantees your inheritance. If you cannot say -~yes’, than allow me to remind you of the fire metaphor. Unfortunately, when one looks at the metaphor of fire as used in Scripture, one inevitably also comes across the lake of fire that cannot be quenched.

We read with heavy heart that anyone whose name is not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15).

Congregation, we know, do we not, that only God’s Son and faith in Him can save us from the lake of fire? To be blown up on an aeroplane or maimed by a terrorist bomb is terrible, but worse by far is to be thrown into the lake of fire.

May we all be able to say that, whatever happens, we belong body and soul, in life and in death to our faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. More than that, that we may know that not even a hair can fall from our heads without the Father’s will. How can you enjoy that peace and comfort?

Simply repent and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. That’s all you have to do to enjoy God’s everlasting protection.

Amen.