Chapter 2 outlined the purposes of God, in so far as this world is concerned, Jerusalem being the future seat of government, and the center to which all will look in the Millennium. The man with the measuring line, at the beginning of the second chapter is a token of God’s taking possession of the city, not yet literally, of course, for that would carry with it His sanction of what is allowed to go on there what has gone on there, since. It is for faith a declaration of what He will do, when the Lord Jesus returns to this earth, and Revelation 11:1515And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15) shall be in fulfilment.
Verses 4-5 beautifully add to the promise of possession with the assurance of such a condition as Jerusalem has never known, though in the short time of Solomon’s reign there was a semblance of it. Never since the prophecy was given has there been anything at all approaching its fulfilment.
Verses 6-13: The exiles will be recalled to Zion (Jerusalem) from the land of the north—a reference to their first captivity from which a few, including Zechariah and Haggai, had returned. Israel as a whole has never returned to the land of promise, nor will until the Church has been removed to heavenly scenes, and God’s purposes for this world begin fulfilment. Instead of regathering, following the rejection to death of their Messiah, there has been a world-wide scattering of the Jews. “The daughter of Babylon” is a figure of Gentile supremacy, begun in Nebuchadnezzar, and to end only when the Lord returns and restores Israel.
“Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and after the glory receive me” (JND).
In the Millennial day “many nations” (verse 11) will be joined to Jehovah; this will not result from the preaching of the gospel now being preached, but a new work of God.