After a brief introduction (1:1-6), the book of Zechariah launches into a series of six visions referred to as the “night visions” (1:7-6:15). They are fascinating and very difficult to interpret. Right in the middle of these visions, however, Zechariah contains an important oracle in 2:6-13 which Boda, the commentator I am using (who is excellent), convincingly argues is set apart from the surrounding visions (rather than part of the vision in 2:1-5) and a key to understanding them. This prophetic oracle consists of two summons: a call to God’s people, scattered by exile, to return to the land (vv. 6-9) and a call to God’s people to rejoice in his restored presence (vv. 10-13).
Verses 10-12 are fascinating, and I detected an implicit Trinitarianism in them when reading through. Note italicized parts:
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. 11 And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 12 And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”
“I shall dwell in your midst, declares the Lord…and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.” In other words, the Lord sends the Lord. Huh? It reminds me of Micah 7:9 where God pleads Micah’s case – to whom? Or Psalm 110 – who is David’s Lord? While these passages don’t teach Trinitarian theology, it seems to me that they sure make a lot more sense once you have it.
Thoughts?
One Response
As I have continued to reflect on this passage, I have wondered if the promise of God’s dewlling in the midst of his people in verse 10 is better understood in relation to the rebuilding of the temple, rather than the Incarnation, in the overall context of Zechariah; and also if the “me” in “you shall know the Lord has sent me to you” in verse 12 may be better understood as Zechariah himself, because of how this phrase is used elsewhere in the book (e.g., 6:15). So I am uncertain and would put any argument for the Trinity from this passage on hold for now.