1:14,15
Zechariah was given the word he was to proclaim to the people. We are not told when he actually did this, but when he did it is unlikely that he merely repeated the words we have here. I would guess that he expanded and expounded on these words. Anyway, to the words themselves. There were two key elements. First, the Lord was jealous for Jerusalem and Zion. He has a deep care for them, and a deep desire for them. A deep desire that the people of Jerusalem and Zion would put their full trust in Him, then they would be truly blessed. Secondly the Lord is angry with the nations. The nations were sent to execute judgement upon Judah, but “they went too far”, ie they were cruel and uncaring. There are arguments about the current place of Israel in God’s plans, with some believing in “replacement theology”. Such people should be very careful. The place of Israel is not just a matter of theological argument, it is a matter of the heart of God, and all of Scripture leads us to believe that the heart of God is for Israel.
1:16
So now we get what the endpoint will be. The Lord will return to Jerusalem with mercy. Yes He had visited them with judgement, but there will come a time when He visits them with mercy. That day, when it comes in all its fullness, will involve Israel turning to Christ. “And there my house will be rebuilt”. The rebuilding of the temple was only a foretaste of the true fulfillment of this, His house will be a house built with living stones. “And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem”. Ie Jerusalem will be an integral part of God’s plans.
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