Possibilities of Grace

The Jewish people were in exile and Jerusalem was in ruins, but the prophet saw something different. Zechariah saw the possibilities of grace. In the future formed by God’s grace, Jerusalem would be an un-walled city - not only because the multitude of her population could not be contained, but also because God himself shall be a wall about her.

God was to be “a wall of fire all around… and the glory in her midst.” God himself would fill and protect the city. Zechariah used the image of hunters who would build campfires all about themselves to keep the wild beasts away. And not only fire surrounding and protecting, but God was also the warm glow of campfires within, inviting the poor wanderer home.

We can go to the New Testament to understand the full meaning of this prophecy. Zechariah saw “the Jerusalem which is above” (Galatians 4.26), which is described in Revelation 7.9: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”

Zechariah could not contain his joy and optimism: “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come, and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord” (Zechariah 2.10).

Are you in exile? Does your life seem to be in ruins? Consider the possibilities of grace. Perhaps you, too, will burst into song.