The Best Firewall

Zechariah 2:5

In our digital world, protecting your computer, phone, and other technology has become more important than ever. One of the most common and helpful tools is a firewall. A firewall functions in several important ways. Not only does it block unauthorized access, but it also defends your technology by creating a protective barrier of defense. As one industry source explains, a firewall’s main purpose is to act as “a barrier between a trusted network and an untrusted network… controlling traffic, blocking unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communication.”[1] In a similar way, the Lord promised to be a protective barrier for Israel against her many enemies. He is the same for the Church today.

The prophet Zechariah received a series of eight visions in a single night. In the third vision, God brings comfort and reassurance to the Israelites. The Lord would not only rebuild the temple, but Jerusalem itself would be prosperous again. What a word of encouragement this must have been to the returned exiles. The Lord had not forgotten His promises to them in view of their past failures. Neither has He forgotten us. In fact, one day Jerusalem would be so prosperous that she would have no need of walls. The idea is that it would be an open city without walls. Jerusalem would be populated, as described, by the multitude of men and cattle.

“That Jerusalem will be a city without walls indicates that the city will overflow its boundaries because of divine blessings.”[2] 

Not only would Jerusalem be populated, but it would also be protected. This was not protection that could be purchased or brokered, but rather something only the Lord could provide. One of the unfortunate sins of Israel in her past was trusting in foreign alliances, military strength, and other external sources rather than the Lord (see Isaiah 30, for example). In Zechariah 2:5, the Lord reveals that He “will be a wall of fire” around the city.  

“This is a personal word from the Lord that He and He alone will be the city’s divine Protector. This is the greatest assurance and defense any people could be given.”[3]

Just as we need protection from technological threats, so God’s people need protection from their spiritual enemies. Often, we make a similar mistake to the one the Israelites made by turning to the world for protection instead of the Lord. The Lord alone is the best protector of His people. As we trust more in the Lord and His protective abilities, we will be safer and more secure than we ever could be on our own.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1 NASB95

Lord, thank You that You alone are my greatest source of protection. Help me to rely upon You each day to protect me in a world of evil until Christ’s return. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

[1] https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/benefits-of-firewall?. Accessed January 2026.

[2] F. Duane Lindsey. The Bible Knowledge Commentary – Zechariah, pg. 1553.

[3] David Levy.  Zechariah – Israel’s Prophetic Future and the Coming Apocalypse, pg. 31.