God Is A Circle Of Warmth

Zechariah is God’s prophet and priest. In a vision which he was given, the Word of the Lord came to him, through an angel.  The heavenly messenger spoke and told him many things about Judah, Israel and Jerusalem. Here is an experience from this time in Zachariah’s receiving from the angel of God.

While the angel who, was speaking to Zachariah, God’s prophet, was leaving, another angel of God came to meet him and this is what he told him. Run, tell the young man, Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be its glory within. Zechariah 2: 4b – 5. God has promised to surround Jerusalem with fire and within, God Himself will be Jerusalem’s glory.

The image given to us is that of Sovereign, Almighty God, as a Circle of Warmth around His children. This prophecy, this pronouncement of God through His angel, informs Zechariah that a time is coming when this great walled city, will be without walls.

This is terrible news, scary news, and bad news even, for the city to lose its walls. For Jerusalem to lose her wall is for her to lose her protection, comfort, security and much more. However, as the angel brings this Word of the Lord to the prophet, he also gives the prophet this wonderfully comforting, fully embracing and most highly consoling word. Though there will be no physical wall, God will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem, His people. Additionally, God will be Jerusalem’s glory within. God and God Himself, no substitutes, will be the, Wall of Fire, or the Circle of Warmth.

Let’s reason a bit here, as we are helped to ponder deeply all that is being brought before us. God’s promise is to be a wall around Jerusalem. Jerusalem once knew a physical wall, a wall built by human hands. But now that that wall is no more, God has placed Himself as the One to be the wall around the city, the people. Is this not to circle the city of Jerusalem? We must be very clear in mind what God has said. And I myself will be a wall. God has said plainly that this will be no human-made wall, as He will be a wall for His people. Is God not our God also? Are we not the New Jerusalem? Are we not a people who have been promised our Lord’s encompassing comfort and compassion? Do not His love and protection surround us?

Let’s reason on a bit more. God is especially particular to describe the kind of wall He will be to His people. To be a wall around a city is one thing, but unless that wall is strong, sturdy, reliable and able to withstand the attacks of any enemy, at any time - morning, noon or night - that wall cannot be trusted. What has God stated about the wall that He will be? He has stated that He will be a wall of fire around it. Jerusalem, the great walled city, now without walls, has been promised a wall of fire. The understanding of fire, as a surrounding wall, goes beyond any human imagination. However, even in our limitedness, we can receive a glimpse of what God has promised His people.

As we prepare to receive what our Heavenly Father has promised, let us hear again the words told to Zachariah by, a man with a measuring line in his hand! Zechariah 2: 1b. He is the angel of God who was measuring Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is. Measured to fit! What fantastic news to our hearts and minds. God’s Circle of Warmth is measured to fit!

Tomorrow, we shall continue with our reasoning and pondering.