Zechariah 1:16 - Exposition

Therefore . Because God loved his people and was incensed with the heathen. I am returned; I return. According to the promise in Zechariah 1:3 (see note on Zechariah 8:3 ). A line shall be stretched forth. A measuring line shall now be used to mark out the city for rebuilding ( Job 38:5 ). The first proof of God's renewed mercy would be seen in the restoration of the temple, the symbol of the theocracy, and in the revival of the city, the type of national life. The "line" had been used for purposes of destruction ( 2 Kings 21:13 ; Isaiah 34:11 ; Lamentations 2:8 ).