August 15, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Zechariah? Here’s today’s reading:
Zechariah 1 (NIV)
A Call to Return to the Lord
1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo:
2“The Lord was very angry with your ancestors.…..Continue Reading
As we already know that Zechariah and Haggai were contemporaries of each other. They were prophets during the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. His name means [ JEHOVAH REMEMBERS or JEHOVAH is RENOWNED. ] He was of priestly descent, and likely a priest himself. Doubtless he was born in Babylon and exercised his ministry in times of political turbulence and great unrest. His call was one for righteousness in home life, in the political arena and in worship. [ All the Men of the Bible by Lockyer ] Also noted is Zechariah`s references to Christ are numerous and detailed. Next to Isaiah, Zechariah carries the most frequent prophecies of the Messiah, especially to Him as the suffering King. Also noted from this same source. The prophet depicts Him as the meek king [ Zech 9;9 ; Matt 21;5; John 12;13. The one sold for thirty pieces of silver. [ Zech 11;13; Matt 26;15; The pierced Saviour. [Zech 12;10 ; John 19;37. The smitten Shepherd. [Zech 13;7; Matt 26;31; Mark14;27. Zechariah is also the first of the prophets to mention Satan. He recognized sin as an independent working power and personifies sin in the woman of his vision. [ All the Men of the Bible ] I am learning so much in this study myself. I have known that Zechariah was an important book but not as much as this. In another source Zechariah message may be summarized under two headings; prosperity and purification. Simply put, God promises the people of Judah and Jerusalem prosperity if they purified themselves from sin. This message is found in the first six chapters. [ Holman Bible Dictionary ] I am not sure that I would title it as prosperity but as God`s blessings instead. In our times we have to be guarded against a prosperity gospel. Sometimes we are walking with Jesus and He brings us through trials not necessarily because of wrongs we have done but to build character in us. God bless us as we look to Him.
In this first chapter God through Zechariah is reminding the people how He was displeased with their fathers for they had turned away from God and did evil things. God says [ Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. Then there are given in this chapter two visions. There are eight visions altogether. They are the horsemen among the myrtle trees and the four horns along with the four carpenters [ four smith`s ]. The four horsemen in 1;7-17 ride forth to announce God`s return to Zion. The second vison with the four carpenters which are agents of God`s deliverance overcome four horns which are symbols of the nations that ruled over Jerusalem. [ Holman Bible Dictionary ] It can be hard to follow but it is very clear who the ones are coming from God and doing His will. Prophesy was never my strong suit but I have over the years learned more and more. But the main thing to remember when we study God`s Word is that He knows everything and knows how it will all turn out with Him as the Victor and us in His care. We know because of the scriptures. What I found out early in my walk with Him was to focus on my walk with Hiim and not so much on prophesy even though it is important. Prophesy is important for it shows us how God has spoken by prophets, etc. and things have been fulfilled even hundreds of years after. Because of this accuracy we can be confident of the future predictions. After all it is God`s Word and He cannot lie. Also it is one of many proofs of who Jesus is. After all it is HIS–STORY. But God still wants us to grow and learn of Him. It doesn`t matter how much we know if we don`t apply the scriptures to our lives. God bless us as we walk in Him.
Zechariah 1
So while Haggai spoke to the people of rebuilding the temple it seems that Zechariah’s message was more one of restoration of relationship with God. It shows that the work of God is important; our service, our evangelism. etc. but first and foremost is our relationship with Him. Our desire to serve and disciple others comes from our intimate relationship with Him. We are giving back to the one who gave us everything. We are not simply doing things to be “good” we are doing things because it will bring Him glory!
Thank you Dennis for explaining this chapter. It was very informative. I need these explanations as it helps me understand how much the Old Testament interacts with the New Testament.
Zechariah 1
As the Lord seeks to speak a word to the post exilic Jews that have returned to Israel, he first makes it clear that the generations before were not to be modeled. They had forsaken God and followed false idols. This new generation needs to make sure they don’t fall into the same trap. It reminds me of the opportunity we have to learn from the good and bad of past generations: embracing what was good and forsaking what was bad, especially when we can see what their decisions led to and how God either blessed them or disciplined them for their decisions,
Next God provides a few visions for Zechariah. In the first, 4 beings are mentioned: a man on a horse, an angel who was talking with Zechariah, the man standing amongst the myrtle trees and then the angel of the Lord standing amongst the myrtle trees. It is possible that they are all referring to the same personage and Zechariah uses different descriptions for him. I would at least say the man amongst the myrtle trees and the angel of the Lord amongst the myrtle trees are the same. There is a question if the man on the horse is the same as well. I do think the angel who is talking to him is distinct. The significance of this is that this is most likely an Old Testament manifestation of the second person of the trinity. The angel of the Lord is often identified with God Himself and yet also appears as a man at various times. So it is neat to imagine that God Himself is interacting with Zechariah here and to me it is always the second member of the Godhead that does that. It is also interesting to hear God talking to/praying to God and recognizing His authority over Him….just like Jesus would later.
And the message He has for the people is one of hope and security. I am for you, God says, zealous for you even. I will teach those nations, particularly those nations who came against you, a lesson. I will bring calamity on them and bless you. Judah will once again prosper under God’s hand. The vision of the horns and the craftsmen give the same message. The horns were raised up by the nations to scatter the Jews and the craftsmen will come and throw those horns down, almost right on top of those nations that raised them up.
Zechariah 1
“Your fathers, where are they?
And the prophets, do they live forever?
6 Yet surely My words and My statutes,
Which I commanded My servants the prophets,
Did they not overtake your fathers?”
Couldn’t help but think of the endurance of God’s word. His promises and prophesies outlive the prophets and the fathers, even the church fathers. We are living in a post-Christian society, or so they want us to think. God’s word endures and what He says will come to pass.