When the Jews returned to Jerusalem it was only a very small proportion of the great multitude taken into captivity. Most people were happy to remain in Babylon. In this chapter the people are being encouraged to return to the Promised Land.

Initially the encouragement is the future prosperity of the city as it would once more grow (v1-4). This would happen as the Lord would be a wall to His people, bringing them protection and being the glory in their midst (v5).

Being at the place of God’s presence and protection was a very good motivation to return to Zion. It is also our motivation to flee to Christ.

The other major motivation to return from Babylon to Zion was the fact that Zechariah speaks of judgment on Babylon for all of its sin.

The message here is very clear, either we’re in the security and presence of God in Zion, among His people, or we are separated from God, united with and among the godless, and will receive the judgment that they will face. The big question is, in which of these two places are you?