How does Zechariah 2:12 emphasize God's choice of Jerusalem as His inheritance? The Verse at a Glance “And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 2:12) Key Words and Phrases • “take possession” – a deliberate, active claiming, as a king seizing what is rightfully His • “Judah” / “Holy Land” – grounds the promise in literal geography, not mere symbolism • “His portion” – language of inheritance and exclusive ownership (cf. Deuteronomy 32:9) • “once again choose” – signals renewed favor that never truly lapsed, despite exile What “Inheritance” Means in the Old Testament • More than land—an inheritance is a treasured possession passed from father to children • When Yahweh calls Judah and Jerusalem His inheritance, He reverses the expected order: the Creator takes a people and a city as His own heirloom • The term points to permanence; an inheritance is not casually given away or forgotten Why Jerusalem? • Seat of Davidic covenant promises (2 Samuel 7:12-16) • Only place God chose for His sanctuary, the Temple (2 Chronicles 6:6) • Platform for Messiah’s first and second advents—past and future rooted in the same city • Geographic center of millennial blessing (Isaiah 2:2-4; Zechariah 14:16-17) Cross-References That Echo the Theme • Deuteronomy 7:6 – “The LORD your God has chosen you… His treasured possession.” • Psalm 132:13-14 – “For the LORD has chosen Zion… This is My resting place forever.” • Isaiah 62:1-4 – Jerusalem renamed Hephzibah and Beulah because “the LORD delights in you.” • Zechariah 1:17 – “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.” Why the Phrase “Once Again”? • Judah’s exile suggested abandonment, yet God’s covenant love persisted (Jeremiah 31:35-37) • Restoration after Babylon foreshadows a fuller, future regathering when Messiah reigns • The phrase reassures the remnant: divine choice is irrevocable (Romans 11:29) Takeaways for Today • God’s selections are not random; He keeps His word down to the very city He names • If He is faithful to physical Israel, He will surely be faithful to every promise in Christ • Jerusalem’s future glory encourages believers to value what God values and to expect literal fulfillment of prophecy—because the One who chooses never relinquishes His inheritance |
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