The Apple of My Eye (Zechariah 2 & 3)
Shabbat, January 4, 2008
To a desolate generation of Israel , living among the ruins of Jerusalem, weighed down by the consequences of the sins of their ancestors, the Lord reveals visions of extraordinary hope and grace. As we ponder these visions of Zechariah chapters 2 and 3, may the Spirit of grace help us to apply them to ourselves as well as to whole house of Israel.
Two weeks ago, we began our study of the prophet Zechariah: [slide] Cyrus, King of Persia, had authorized the rebuilding the Temple, in 535 BC. According to Ezra, about 50,000 Jews had returned to the land to rebuild it, but their Samaritan neighbors thwarted the project, [slide] as Ezra 4:16 recounts: “the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” The Temple and the city of Jerusalem still lay in ruins, for 15 more years. [slide] Then, in 520 BC, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah urged them to repent and rebuild!
What is the meaning of Zechariah’s name? [after answering, slide] Zekhar means remembers and Yah is an abbreviated version of the name of the LORD, YHVH. Why is “Yah (or the LORD) remembers” an appropriate name for this prophet? At a time when Jews who had returned to the land may have wondered if the Lord had forgotten them, along comes a prophet who assures them that the LORD remembers. When you are dealing with a difficult situation and you are wondering where the Lord is, let this name reassure you, Z'kharyah, Yah remembers, the Lord remembers, he has not forgotten you!
The Lord had not forgotten his people when they were slaves in Egypt! Nor has he forgotten you! Amen? Turn to Zechariah 1:18, where the prophet beholds the second vision: [slide] “I looked up— and there before me were four horns! I asked the angel who was speaking to me, "What are these?" He answered, "These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem." Horns represent the strength and pride of a bull or a buck, used to fight off its enemies. In the bible, horns were often symbolic of the pride of kings and nations. [slide] So 1 Sam 2:10 says, “The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” [slide] And Daniel 8:5-6 sees “a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground, coming toward the two-horned ram and charging at him in great rage.”
So the angel explains to Zechariah that the four horns are the nations that attacked and scattered the people of Judah and Jerusalem: the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans. These horns may have seemed powerful and frightening! Then Hashem reveals another vision: 20 “Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. I asked, "What are these coming to do?"
He answered, "These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head, but
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."” Wow, these craftsmen-angels are even more powerful than the horns of the nations! Though the nations seek to scatter and destroy, the angels of Hashem will gather and restore. Does anyone hear a message here that is relevant for Israel today? As the angel of the Lord says: he will “throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.” [slide]
Zechariah 2:1: “Then I looked up— and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand! I asked, "Where are you going?" He answered me, "To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is."” The prophet has yet another vision: of a man (actually an angel) with a measuring line. Jerusalem may have been in ruins, but the Lord has plans for rebuilding. How big would it be? [slide] 3. “Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel came to meet him and said to him: "Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it.” Behold, Jerusalem will grow beyond what any walls could contain! In Yeshua’s day, tens of thousands camped around the city during the festivals! Then, as he foretold, it again fell into ruins.
A century ago, all the people of Jerusalem lived within the Turkish walls. But when our people came back, they began settling outside the walls, building up the settlements that became West Jerusalem. Arabs also came because of the increasing commerce of the city, building up the settlements generally known as East Jerusalem. Ordinarily, a city without wall may seem defenseless, but the Lord says: [slide] “I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’” When you come to Jerusalem today, you won’t see a wall of fire with your mortal eyes, but if you open your eyes to see spiritual reality, you might just see a wall of fire around this city. [slide] “So Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." So the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around.”
2 Kings 6:17 What only those with spiritual eyes can see will be fully revealed when Messiah reigns in Zion. For in that day, during the millennial kingdom, King Messiah will be its glory within. But even now, to anyone who feels especially vulnerable to spiritual warfare, the Spirit of Adonai says: “I myself will be a wall of fire around you and I will be your glory within you.” If you have put your trust in the holy, anointed one of God, the wall of faith surrounds you! If you have put your trust in the living God and his Messiah, His glory dwells within you! Amen? [slide]
2:6 “"Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north," declares the LORD, "for I have scattered you
to the four winds of heaven," declares the LORD. "Come, O Zion ! Escape, you who live in
the Daughter of Babylon!"” Only a remnant had returned to the land. The Spirit of Adonai is calling them back to the land. The full return of Israel from Babylon or Iraq happened shortly after 1948. Yet more will return. In Revelation 18:4, Yochanan heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her [ Babylon ], my people, so that you will not share in her sins.” So the return from exile is not just a matter of physical safety, but righteousness and holiness. To anyone who is caught in a web of sin, the Spirit of Adonai says: “Come! Come! Flee from that place and escape! I will raise up my hand to deliver you!” [slide]
2:8 “For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After glory He and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you— for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me.” The deliverance of Israel from the plunder of the nations is His glory. To be your deliverer is His glory! “For whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.” What is the apple of the eye? Why is the Lord determined to protect it? The apple is the pupil of the eye. It is the place through which light comes into the eye. It is the place of vision. As the Lord pours out vision after vision, He wants his people to see! He wants Israel to see as He sees; He wants us to see as He sees; through the apple of His eye. He wants you to see how precious you are to Him: for you the one whom He has chosen.
If there is anyone who questions your value to the Lord, listen to what the Spirit of Adonai says: “Whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye!” It was for you that the prophet was sent, just as it was for the slaves in Egypt that Moses was sent: “I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” Exodus 6:6 And it was for you that the Messiah was sent, to deliver you from all condemnation of sin.
Bear in mind that 'apple of my eye' does not mean that Hashem loves Israel more than other nations.
"God does not show favoritism" (Romans 2:11).
Just as your eyelids and hand raised protects the pupil of your eye, so Hashem protects his people, keeping his covenant to the Patriachs.
He is shomer Israel, the One who keeps or guards Israel.
Though Israel has suffered much, as a consequence both of Israel's sins and the sins of the nations, Hashem has kept his covenant and preserved Israel to this day. Amen?
2:10 “Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you!" Are you hearing the message of wonderful hope? Though Zion was desolate and in ruins, Hashem declares, “Shout and be glad! For I am coming, and I will live among you!” It is like the message that Moses brought the children of Israel when they were slaves in Egypt: “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” Exodus 6:7 The four cups of Passover…. The Lord is zealous over Zion and zealous in his love for you! He rejoices over you when you begin to know how much he loves you! Amen?
2:11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.” This verse is a Messianic prophecy. How so? It foretells a time when many nations will be joined with the LORD. This has been fulfilled in part because believers from many nations have trusted in Messiah Yeshua. It will be fulfilled fully when the nations recognize him as the King of the Jews, when they see that Messiah lives among his people Israel and they rejoice to join Israel as His people. Amen?
So He affirms in the following verses, closing out chapter 2: 2:12 “The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem . Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” In Zechariah’s day, though the land was desolate and the city was in ruins, the Lord declares that Israel is the holy land and Jerusalem his chosen city. This verse is the only place in the Bible where the land that Hashem promised to the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is called “the holy land.” It is holy, because Hashem has declared it so. Amen? It is holy, because he promised it to the children of Israel , when he brought them back from Egypt. It is holy, because he promised to bring his people back again from Babylon, and he did it. It is holy, because he promised to bring his people back from the four corners of the earth. It is holy, because he has chosen it as his dwelling place and Messiah will be there when he returns [slide]
3:1 “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan!
The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem , rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" Here is a extraordinary vision! Joshua or Yehoshua was the High Priest, descended from Aaron. Yet here is hasatan. What does hasatan mean? Accuser or adversary: he living up to his name! Remember: that’s what hasatan does, over and over again: accuse. Has anyone here heard his accusations? If you listen, he’ll whine his accusations all the time. So I urge you to remember what the angel of the LORD says to Satan: “Hashem rebukes you!” [] And remember what Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation for those in Messiah Yeshua.” And then Romans 8:33-34, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?
It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Messiah Yeshua, who died— more than that, who was raised to life— is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” To anyone who hears the accuser insisting you are covered with sin, the Spirit of Adonai says: “Adonai rebukes you, hasatan! This one is mine! I have chosen her! I have chosen him!” He is interceding for you just as he intercedes for the people of Jerusalem, whom He has chosen. He is interceding for you just as he interceded for Joshua, snatching him from the fire.
When John Wesley was only six years old, he was trapped in a burning house. He was rescued when one neighbor climbed on another’s shoulders and pulled him out of window. A picture of the scene was drawn for Wesley and he kept the drawing until he died, and wrote under it: Zechariah 3:2: “Is this not a brand plucked from the burning?” How many of you know that you were a burning stick snatched from the fire of hell? Because the Lord loves you, he reaches into the fire to pluck you out! But it’s tricky, because you also must reach back! You have to agree to come out of the fire! [slide]
3:3 “Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you." Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by. Hasatan accuses Joshua on seemingly solid grounds—he was indeed covered with filth—not only his own sins, but those of the whole house of Israel, whom he represents as priest before Hashem. Then the Lord shows his extraordinary grace: ordering angels to remove the filthy garments and put on new, rich garments and put a clean turban on his head, thus renewing his priesthood. So, in Isaiah 61:3, the Lord promises "to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." The Spirit of Adonai says: “I will take away your sin! I will take away your uncleanness! Yes!
I command that angels put rich garments on your body and a turban of priesthood on your head!” [slide]
3:6 The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: "This is what the LORD Almighty says:‘If you will walk in my ways 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.” Salvation begins when the LORD delivers his people from slavery in Egypt, and it continues when they walk in his ways. Amen? So Philippians 2:12 says, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” [slide]
3:8 "’Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.” Now the angel of the LORD announces a revelation about the Branch. What is the Branch? The “Branch” recalls a theme from the earlier great prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. Isaiah 4:2 announces, “In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious,
and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel .” Isaiah 11:1 describes him: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him…” What or who is the Branch? [slide]
Jeremiah 23:5, "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David
a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” And Jeremiah 33:15, "In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.” Adonai Tzidkeynu! What Jeremiah adds to Isaiah is that the Branch would be a descendant of David and a King. This King Messiah will save Judah and usher in the Messianic age. What does the vision of Zechariah add to our understanding of the Branch? Just as the angel of the Lord had cleansed Joshua from his sin, he will cleanse all Israel . [slide]
9 “See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. "’In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty." I will remove the sin of this land in a single day! Does anyone know how will he do that? Through the glorious sacrifice of the Branch, Messiah Yeshua, dying on the tree! Amen? So when Yeshua came to Jerusalem the last time, the high priest of his day said to his associates, “It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." Yeshua offered himself as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Because he died, a day is coming when the people of Israel will dwell in peace in the land, inviting his neighbor to set under his vine and fig tree, the beautiful fruit of the land. We will return to the theme of the Branch, later in our study of Zechariah, for he appears again in chapter 6, and there’s more about how he saves Israel in that day in the last three chapters.
But for now, consider the vision of the seven eyes. If seven eyes seem odd to you, since the Hebrew word for eyes is actually in the dual form,
it probably means seven pairs of eyes rather than just seven eyes. If seven pairs of eyes in a stone still seems pretty strange, let’s consider what eyes are for! Eyes are for seeing! How much more so seven pairs of eyes! Brothers and sisters, the Spirit of the Lord who cries out, “They have eyes but do not see!”
wants us, along with all Israel, to open our eyes, open our eyes, seven times, open your eyes,
open your eyes, open your eyes, open your eyes, open your eyes, and see:
the glory of the Lord that is coming upon you! He loves you with awesome love! He saves you with awesome grace! For he has called you the apple of His eye!
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