Zechariah 2:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This interpretation provides historical insight, yet it leads to a spiritual reflection, introducing the face of the Savior, who in a certain manner mourns for those who inhabit the earth, having yielded themselves to the dominion of Satan, who rules over all and has imposed such cruel oppression that they appear to suffer under his tyrannical might. Therefore, He encourages them to flee from the northern land—indicative of a cold and lifeless state of mind. This serves to symbolize a particular worldly attitude and way of life; anyone residing in this disposition cannot be ignited in spirit nor can the fiery word of God dwell within them. Consequently, David does not proclaim to God, “Thy word is kindled with fire: and thy servant shall love it” (Ps. 118:140). Thus, one lacking the fervent and passionate word of God would remain cold and lifeless, as Christ declared that due to the increase of wickedness, the love of many would grow cold (Matt. 24:12). Sin can rightly be identified as the daughter of Babylon, given that Babylon signifies confusion; for sin cannot emanate from a mind that is calm and steadfast but rather from one that is disoriented and metaphorically intoxicated by a drift toward impurity. Therefore, we are called to flee, as from the northern land—escaping the cold and lifeless state of our spirits—and to journey toward Zion, the true contemplation embodied in the Church of Christ, where we shall witness what pleases God, hear the doctrine of the holy and consubstantial Trinity, and encounter Christ Himself, who gathers us in all ways and unites us spiritually in harmony. For He declared about us, “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold: and it is fitting for me to bring them, and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd” (Jn. 10:16).

The nations of the world—referred to by the Greeks as κλίματα—are characterized by their geographical relationship to Jerusalem and the temple. Thus, the Assyrians and Babylonians, who have brought distress upon God's people, are located to the north. In the book of Jeremiah, the cauldron, symbolizing Jerusalem, is said to be heated from the north. Consequently, the angel sent to confront the young man, representing all of humanity in relation to angelic dignity, instructed him to proclaim that Jerusalem will be inhabited, and so forth. The same command from the Lord addresses those residing in the north: let them be gathered from the four corners of the earth and return to Zion from Babylon. Alternatively, it can be understood as a message to those scattered in the four regions under heaven, urging them to flee from the northern domain, and for you, O Zion, currently in Babylon, to turn back to your former dwelling.

The repeated exhortation implies a strong encouragement to escape, underscoring that they are being called not just once but multiple times. It is noteworthy that the northern wind is known as the most fierce, hardening the hearts of its inhabitants, and calamities are said to originate from the north. Even Satan, who proclaimed in Isaiah that he would ascend to the heavens and sit above the clouds, boasts of dominion in that frigid northern land. Similarly, we read in Isaiah of smoke rising from the north, and it is noted that those distanced from the holy city come from afar, from both the north and the sea. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit through Jeremiah calls those in captivity to return to Jerusalem, saying, 'Go and proclaim my words to the north, and say, Return to me, O habitation of Israel, says the Lord.'

We too, having dwelled in the north and losing our fervent zeal for the Lord while scattered throughout the earth, are reminded by the Gospel that the Lord will send His angels to the four corners or winds and gather us who have stumbled in the vices and confusion of this age. We are commanded to flee to Zion, the Church of the Lord, and to firmly establish ourselves in its doctrines, forsaking the worldly and lowly things. The words that follow, 'Thus says the Lord of Hosts: for glory hath He sent me,' indicate the voice of the Savior. He, God Almighty, claims to have been sent by the Almighty Father, not that He is Almighty Himself, but rather that He was sent for the sake of glory. While in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant and obeyed the Father even unto death, the death of the cross.

It is not surprising that Christ is referred to as the Almighty, as we observe in the Revelation of John where it states, 'These things saith the faithful witness, the beginning of the creation of God, who is and was and is to come, the Lord God Almighty.' We find a similar refrain in Psalm 23:9, which beckons princes to lift up their gates so that the King of glory may enter. The question posed by the angels about the mystery of the incarnation—'Who is this King of glory?'—is clarified: The Lord of Hosts is indeed the King of glory. In Hebrew, where it is stated 'Lord of Hosts,' we find 'sabaoth,' interpreted by the LXX as 'Almighty.' This underscores that wherever Christ is identified as Lord of Hosts, He must be acknowledged as omnipotent.

It should not astonish us that Christ is called omnipotent, to whom all power in heaven and on earth has been given, and who proclaims that all that belongs to the Father also belongs to Him. If all things derive from God, who is God from God, Light from Light, then all things come from the Almighty, and the Almighty from the Almighty. The glory inherent in those of a single nature must be consistent. Therefore, He was sent to manifest the divine glory to the nations that plundered God's people, ensuring that those who made them their prey would themselves become prey to their former captives, that all those once enslaved might recognize that it was God Almighty who sent Him.

In understanding the phrase 'He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye,' it implies a sense of oppression and offense, resonating with the scripture that admonishes, 'Touch not my anointed, nor do evil to my prophets.' Anyone who seeks to harm the saints of the Lord is, in effect, trying to afflict the apple of His eye and deprive Him of His illumination, proclaimed in the Gospel: 'You are the light of the world.' The Lord will raise His hand to disrupt the nations opposed to Him and return His people either to Jerusalem or the Church. Spiritually interpreted, the hostile nations represent the forces that daily subjugate sinners to their dominion, compelling them to serve in a state of servitude."