The passage lists the various aspects of the temple as part of this pattern that God had given him. Therefore, the pattern for Solomon’s temple comes from God and must have special spiritual significance.

A Wilderness is commonly a waste, wild, and barren place, some of which are of a vast bigness: this World is of a vast bigness, and very barren of grace and holiness.

Much of the book of Zechariah looks forward to the restoration of Israel and the coming of the great King. This last chapter is no exception. The Lord Himself will come down and fight for Jerusalem. His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives. The mount will split in half making a valley through its midst and through that valley will flow rivers of living waters. Then shall the Lord be king over all the earth. What a beautiful description of the second coming of Christ and the setting up of His kingdom on earth! All His saints should look forward with joy to His return.

Modern Christianity seems rather quick to criticize the wicked state of the world. Yet, well-meaning Christians frequently fail to acknowledge that many of the world’s woes originated from within the Church. For this reason, the Apostle Peter admonishes the people of God that true judgment must begin at our own doorstep.

The day of redemption for Israel will be a day of refreshing from the Lord (v.1), a day of removal of false prophets (v.2-5), a day of remembrance of the rejected shepherd (v.6-7), and a day of refining for the remnant of the people (v.8-9). It is the day when the people of Israel will say, “The LORD is my God.” We can all rejoice in what a day that will be!

Isaiah, as a prophet of the southern kingdom of Judah, writes at a time of great distress. The northern kingdom of Israel has been destroyed by the Assyrians and the Assyrians are working to systematically destroy Judah as well. Isaiah seeks divine intervention but also recognizes that Judah’s own iniquities have brought this judgment on them. He appeals to the mercy of God. They are His people and He is their father.

This simile alludes to the legal type of the High-Priest, who might marry none but a Virgin.

The day of God’s wrath has come and the Lord is coming in vengeance. However, the prophet reminds the Lord of past mercies on His people while he repents of their past sins. He asks the Lord to look down from His holy habitation and reclaim the Israelites as His own.

Most people will not slow down to understand difficult passages like this. It deals with the architecture of Solomon’s Temple and uses unfamiliar words. But, for most of us, the passage is no more difficult than a description of a modern building by an architect. We would have to work to understand that as well. Be willing to look up some words and take time to understand the structure. Realize also that you will not be able to answer all your questions. However, your efforts will be rewarded. And your increased understanding of the Temple will prepare you to receive spiritual truths behind the physical structure. May the Lord help you in this special study.

This chapter describes the glory that will one day come to God’s chosen city of Jerusalem. In much of the chapter, God is speaking directly to the city. Notice also how the earthly city is a picture and type of the heavenly Jerusalem that comes down in the book of Revelation (chapters 21 & 22).