This passage in Zechariah is one of my all-time favorite study passages. In my study Bible, the side note area is almost completely filled with notes on it. Today let’s have a look at verse 8, as the introduction to the messianic age. In the KJV it reads:
Zec 9:8 And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
A simplified/paraphrased read might go something like this (going back to the original Hebrew and meanings): I will defend my house on every side with garrisons against him that is passing by and returns. No oppressor shall pass through them any more, for now I watch over them with my eyes.
The context of this verse is that of the people of God, having spent seventy years in exile, now have returned and are rebuilding. In this great prophetic utterance, the prophet looks to the future where he sees a time when God’s face turns to His people. That’s the significance of the last sentence. I believe many versions use the wrong tense, as the Hebrew is translated into both present and past tense in English. When one looks at it in the present tense, it makes far more sense. Israel is the apple of God’s eye. (Zec 2:8)
Because of their rebellion, God had allowed judgement to fall on His people. It is significant that in Jeremiah 18:17, God speaks saying, I will shew them (the rebellious people) the back and not the face. Now, in prophetic utterance, the prophet sees the dawning age when the eyes (and by conjunction, the face) of God would SEE His people.
God seeing His people is another way of saying, God is saving His people. Consider Psalms 80 where time and again the Psalmist prays, Cause Thy FACE to SHINE and we shall be saved! And again, it is written, the eyes of the Lord are running throughout the earth looking for those to whom He may show himself strong (2 Ch 16:9).
If God’s eyes are beholding the city, then there is no oppressor who will enter. There is none who shall enter who pass by, neither if they come again will they prevail.
As we progress in this chapter, it becomes apparent that when we speak of the house of God, it is not a geographical location but rather, those who belong to God.
It’s here that I end my thoughts on this passage. There are two things I think should be highlighted:
- It is of greatest importance to us that we strive to be part of the house of God. By strive, not of dead works, but obedience to the voice of Almighty God and humility, because it’s only by His grace we could ever have the opportunity to be part of His House.
- It’s of paramount importance that we seek the face of God – that His eyes behold us. There is a danger that we seek His hands – miracles, gifts, blessings – but what we need more than His hand is His face. If His face is hid from us, we will perish.
May we then pray that God would speak, that we would listen, that He would make us part of His House and that He would never take His eyes off us.
Extra Notes:
– There is an overlay both of a physical and metaphysical meaning to the house of God never being oppressed again. There is a day coming when the Lord’s house will be a literal place once again and it will have no unclean thing enter it. This physical can also be understood in a metaphysical sense.
– Despite being His house, it is clear that God allowed the enemy to pass by it. And even when He is about the house, the enemy will still come again. That’s why one must stay IN the house.
– This verse sets the stage for the following Messianic verses. God’s eyes have returned to His people, and there is a permanence coming like has never been seen before – it’s the arrival of the Church
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