Zechariah’s Prophesy Begins

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1. Haggai and Zechariah are prophets who preached to the people as they returned from Babylonian exile. It would be good to read Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther along with Haggai and Zechariah since they are historically in the same context. Malachi follows after these historically (and physically) in the Bible.

   Zechariah (and a handful of Psalms) is the last book to read in this 16-month long study of the Bible. I’ve taken courses on Understanding the Old Testament and New Testament in college, but God has spoken to me more during this past months than any college course in the past. Carefully reading his word daily, writing personal comments on each section, investing time at the beginning of each day has truly enriched my life. How I wish I had done this decades ago, but the timing is in God’s hands. Enough of rambling, onto the book!

   Zechariah 1:2-6 – A Call To Repentance. Haggai and Zechariah are mentioned in Ezra 5:1-2, “And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.” The message is clear: “Return to me, declares the Lord Almighty, and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 1:3). Such a simple message, but the timing of the words accompany Zerubbabel’s efforts to rebuild the temple. Zechariah explains that people do not live forever, but the word of the Lord continues:

   Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the projects, overtake your ancestors? Zechariah 1:5-6

   Series Of Eight Visions In One Night

   1. The four horsemen (two red horses, brown and white horses) “found the whole world at rest and in peace” (1:11), and the Lord proclaim he would restore his people in Jerusalem and Zion: “My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem” (1:17).
   2. The horns that scattered the people will have no more power over the people.
   3. Jerusalem will be a city beyond measure, “a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it, declares the Lord, and I will be its glory within” (2:4-5).
   4. The vision of Joshua standing before the Lord in filthy clothes represents all of us covered in sin. The angel orders the filthy clothes removed and clean garments to restore him as high priest. This is a prelude to Christ coming, “Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to tome: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch….and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day” (3:8,9). This wonderful vision must have spoken to those rebuilding the temple as on-lookers mocked and ridiculed them. Powerful words of hope filled our ancestors as they returned to their homeland after 70 years of exile.
   5. The vision of the lampstand and bowl is explained: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (4:6). The explanation of the vision is this: Zerubbabel and Joshua are the two olive trees (leaders) who are led by the Spirit (the oil).
   6. The flying scroll symbolizes a curse: “every thief will be banished…everyone who swears falsely will be banished” (5:3), declares the Lord.
   7. The basket: “the iniquity of the people throughout the land” (5:6), and a woman inside who symbolizes wickedness, covered with a lead cover, then taken to Babylonia where it belongs. Wickedness leaves Israel and goes to the land of idolatry where it belongs.
   8. Four chariots lead by red, black, white and dappled horses represent “the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord” (6:5). Victory is assured for the people, “look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north” (6:8).

   These words are all powerful reminders of how God kept his promise to the people as they return from exile and take on the heavy task of rebuilding. It would be easy to give up, to give in, to simply quit. God uses the prophets to encourage and chastise at the same time. Lord, help us to never tire of doing your good work. Your word lives beyond our fleeting lives here. Help us reach out to those who don’t know or understand or perhaps don’t even know that they should find you to have peace.

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