Zechariah 2:3 Study Bible: Look, the angel who talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,

◄ Zechariah 2:3 ►

Then the angel who was speaking with me went out, and another angel came out to meet him

Then the angel who was speaking with me went forth
In the context of Zechariah's visions, angels often serve as messengers and interpreters of divine revelations. The angel speaking with Zechariah is likely the same one who has been guiding him through his visions, providing clarity and understanding. This reflects the biblical theme of God using angels to communicate His will to prophets, as seen in Daniel 9:21-22 and Revelation 1:1. The act of the angel going forth suggests a transition or a new phase in the vision, indicating that something significant is about to be revealed.

and another angel came forward to meet him
The introduction of another angel signifies the importance of the message being conveyed. In biblical narratives, multiple angels often appear to emphasize the gravity of a divine message or event, as seen in Genesis 18 with the visitation to Abraham. This meeting between angels suggests a coordination in delivering God's message, highlighting the organized and purposeful nature of divine communication. The presence of multiple angels can also symbolize the heavenly realm's active involvement in earthly matters, reinforcing the idea that God's plans are being orchestrated from above. This scene sets the stage for the unfolding of God's promises and protection for Jerusalem, as further elaborated in the subsequent verses.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Zechariah
A prophet of the post-exilic period, Zechariah is the recipient of visions and messages from God, intended to encourage the Jewish people rebuilding Jerusalem.

2. The First Angel
This angel is the one initially speaking with Zechariah, serving as a divine messenger and guide throughout the visions.

3. The Second Angel
Another angel who comes to meet the first angel, indicating a continuation or expansion of the message being delivered to Zechariah.

4. Jerusalem
The city central to the visions of Zechariah, representing God's chosen place for His people and the future site of His divine presence.

5. The Vision
This event is part of a series of visions given to Zechariah, each carrying symbolic meaning and prophetic insight into God's plans for Israel.

Teaching Points

The Role of Angels
Angels are active participants in God's communication with humanity, serving as messengers and facilitators of His divine will. This reminds us of the unseen spiritual realm that operates according to God's purposes.

God's Ongoing Revelation
Just as God revealed His plans to Zechariah, He continues to reveal His will to us through Scripture and the Holy Spirit. We should remain attentive and open to His guidance.

The Importance of Jerusalem
Jerusalem holds a significant place in biblical prophecy and history. It serves as a symbol of God's covenant with His people and His future plans for redemption and restoration.

Encouragement in Times of Rebuilding
Zechariah's visions were meant to encourage the Israelites during a time of rebuilding. Similarly, we can find hope and motivation in God's promises during our own times of rebuilding and renewal.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the interaction between the two angels in Zechariah 2:3 illustrate the nature of divine communication?

2. In what ways does the role of angels in Zechariah's visions compare to their role in other parts of the Bible, such as in the New Testament?

3. What significance does Jerusalem hold in Zechariah's visions, and how does this relate to its role in biblical prophecy?

4. How can we apply the encouragement found in Zechariah's visions to our own lives, especially during times of personal or communal rebuilding?

5. How does understanding the original Hebrew context of Zechariah's visions enhance our interpretation and application of this scripture today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Zechariah 1:9-11
Provides context for the role of angels in Zechariah's visions, showing their function as messengers and interpreters of God's will.

Revelation 21:12-14
Connects to the theme of Jerusalem, highlighting its future glory and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

Hebrews 1:14
Discusses the role of angels as ministering spirits, which aligns with their function in Zechariah's visions.

Sermons

An Interesting Future of the World	Homilist	Zechariah 2:1-4
The Man with a Measure		Zechariah 2:1-4
The Man with the Measuring Line	P. B. Meyer, B. A.	Zechariah 2:1-4
The Man with the Measuring Line	W. L. Alexander, D. D.	Zechariah 2:1-4
The Optimism of Faith	J. G. Greenhough, M. A.	Zechariah 2:1-4
The True Glory of the Church	T. V. Moore, D. D.	Zechariah 2:1-4
Measuring the Church	W. Forsyth	Zechariah 2:1-5
Third Vision: an Interesting Future for the World	D. Thomas	Zechariah 2:1-5

People

Zechariah

Places

Babylon, Jerusalem, Zion

Topics

Angel, Behold, Forth, Forward, Meet, Meeting, Messenger, Speaking, Spoke, Talked, Talking

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Zechariah 2:3-5

     1680   types
     4112   angels, messengers
     5178   running

Library

The City Without Walls
'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls.... For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.'--ZECHARIAH ii. 4, 5. Zechariah was the Prophet of the returning exiles, and his great work was to hearten them for their difficult task, with their small resources and their many foes, and to insist that the prime condition to success, on the part of that portion of the nation that had returned, was holiness. So his visions, of which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Prayer for the Lord's Promised Presence. Zech 2:10
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Lord Reigneth
Hallelujah; for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! T he book of the Revelation, being chiefly prophetical, will not, perhaps, be fully understood, till the final accomplishment of the events shall draw near, and throw a stronger light upon the whole series. But while the learned commentators have been, hitherto, divided and perplexed in their attempts to illustrate many parts of it, there are other parts well adapted for the instruction and refreshment of plain Christians. Particularly, those passages …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever! T he Kingdom of our Lord in the heart, and in the world, is frequently compared to a building or house, of which He Himself is both the Foundation and the Architect (Isaiah 28:16 and 54:11, 12) . A building advances by degrees (I Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:20-22) , and while it is in an unfinished state, a stranger cannot, by viewing its present appearance, form an accurate judgment …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

John's Introduction.
^D John I. 1-18. ^d 1 In the beginning was the Word [a title for Jesus peculiar to the apostle John], and the Word was with God [not going before nor coming after God, but with Him at the beginning], and the Word was God. [Not more, not less.] 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him [the New Testament often speaks of Christ as the Creator--see ver. 10; I. Cor. viii. 6; Col. i. 13, 17; Heb. i. 2]; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. [This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Noble Results of this Species of Prayer
The Noble Results of this Species of Prayer Some persons, when they hear of the prayer of silence, falsely imagine, that the soul remains stupid, dead, and inactive. But, unquestionably, it acteth therein, more nobly and more extensively than it had ever done before; for God Himself is the mover, and the soul now acteth by the agency of His Spirit. When S. Paul speaks of our being led by the Spirit of God, it is not meant that we should cease from action; but that we should act through the internal …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Gifts Received for the Rebellious
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. W hen Joseph exchanged a prison for the chief honour and government of Egypt, the advantage of his exaltation was felt by those who little deserved it (Genesis 45:4, 5) . His brethren hated him, and had conspired to kill him. And though he was preserved from death, they were permitted to sell him for a bond-servant. He owed his servitude, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

This State of Prayer not one of Idleness, but of Noble Action, Wrought by the Spirit of God, and in Dependence Upon Him --The Communication Of
Some people, hearing of the prayer of silence, have wrongly imagined that the soul remains inactive, lifeless, and without movement. But the truth is, that its action is more noble and more extensive than it ever was before it entered this degree, since it is moved by God Himself, and acted upon by His Spirit. St Paul desires that we should be led by the Spirit of God (Rom. viii. 14). I do not say that there must be no action, but that we must act in dependence upon the divine movement. This …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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