God Will Live with His People

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

God Will Live with His People

Date: Dec. 9, 2014

Passage

Zechariah 2:1-13 (ESV)

1 And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! 2 Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” 3 And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him 4 and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. 5 And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

6 Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the LORD. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the LORD. 7 Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. 8 For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: 9 “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. 11 And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 12 And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”

13 Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:10

First, I will be its glory within (1-5). A man with a measuring line intended to measure the walls of Jerusalem (1:16, 2:2). But an angel said that Jerusalem would be without walls because of the great number of people who will live there. God himself would be a wall of fire around it and its glory within. This vision encouraged the temple and city builders to see that they were a part of God's great plan. The vision was not realized in Zechariah's time but looks to a time when God would bring his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Second, the LORD will live with his people (6-13). God told his people to leave Babylon where they had been exiled. God used Babylon to punish his people. But God would now raise his hand against Babylon. Meanwhile the Israelites should shout and be glad. The LORD was coming to live among them. Many nations would be joined with the LORD. This promise looks forward to Jesus. Jesus came to live with us. People from many nations are joined to him through his death and resurrection.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for living among us, even now. May your kingdom come.

One Word: Shout and be glad

Plagues of Frogs and Gnats

Exodus 8:1-19

Key Verse: 8:19

Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

Today's Question

What are we specifically taught in the first commandment by the words before me?

See answer and references