Zechariah 9-11
Can you feel how close it is? Just two more days, and we will be finished with the Old Testament! Are you excited? I know I am.
Today’s passage is tricky. Parts of it seem to extend into the “last days,” other parts point to Jesus’ first coming, and still others seem to apply to Zechariah’s day! It’s best to read Zechariah with a good resource, like the time-tested NIV Study Bible.
Zechariah 9. The first eight verses track the destruction of Israel’s oppressive neighbors. This prophecy may have been fulfilled by Alexander the Great in 333 BC. Then Zechariah tells the daughters of the Jerusalem to rejoice, not because of their enemies’ demise, but because of their coming King, the Messiah, humbling riding a donkey (9:9) and powerfully proclaiming peace (9:10), as Jesus did at his first coming. But almost immediately, the prophet seems to be speaking of the Second Coming of Christ, and of his rule on earth! By the end of the chapter, there is judgment; but the Lord will save his people!
Zechariah 10 speaks of a day when the Lord himself will Shepherd his people. Their leaders (shepherds) have let them down. The true Shepherd, the “Cornerstone,” the Lord Jesus himself will strengthen, save and restore the people.
Zechariah 11 begins with a taunt or a lament over the destruction of the region’s livelihood. The rest of the chapter gives the reasons for this judgment. Though the Messiah had intended “favor” and “union,” symbolized by two staffs, the people rejected him, like Judas (Note the “30 pieces of silver” reference), and the staffs were broken. Nothing good will come of this rejection.
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
SEPTEMBER 26 ZECHARIAH 7-8
Zechariah 7-8
The “night visions” are over; here are slightly more traditional prophecies.
Chapter 7 contains a “word from the Lord” that arrived just after some people came to him, wondering if they should continue to observe a fast in the fifth month of the year. God wonders: “Where you really fasting for me? Or were your fasts like your feasts, just for you? The question isn’t whether or not to fast, but how to live a righteous life. Try these questions on for size: Do you administer justice? Do you show mercy and compassion? Do you oppress widows, orphans, foreigners or the poor? Do you think evil of each other? Those are the important questions; these are my priorities.”
Chapter 8 contains one of the most powerful series of promises in the Bible to God’s people, the Jews. It’s better to read it aloud that to write about it here. Ten times (count them!) Zechariah repeats the words: “This is what the Lord [Almighty] says!” Ten words, to match the Ten Commandments! These words are ten blessings, ten incredible promises to the remnant of Israel, the returnees from exile, designed to affirm and encourage the people. God’s priority is a restored Israel!
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
The “night visions” are over; here are slightly more traditional prophecies.
Chapter 7 contains a “word from the Lord” that arrived just after some people came to him, wondering if they should continue to observe a fast in the fifth month of the year. God wonders: “Where you really fasting for me? Or were your fasts like your feasts, just for you? The question isn’t whether or not to fast, but how to live a righteous life. Try these questions on for size: Do you administer justice? Do you show mercy and compassion? Do you oppress widows, orphans, foreigners or the poor? Do you think evil of each other? Those are the important questions; these are my priorities.”
Chapter 8 contains one of the most powerful series of promises in the Bible to God’s people, the Jews. It’s better to read it aloud that to write about it here. Ten times (count them!) Zechariah repeats the words: “This is what the Lord [Almighty] says!” Ten words, to match the Ten Commandments! These words are ten blessings, ten incredible promises to the remnant of Israel, the returnees from exile, designed to affirm and encourage the people. God’s priority is a restored Israel!
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, September 25, 2014
SEPTEMBER 25 ZECHARIAH 5-6
Zechariah 5-6
Zechariah’s final three “night visions!”
The Flying Scroll. (5:1-4) Zechariah sees a large flying piece of papyrus; it’s a symbol of the Law of God judging sin and idolatry wherever it goes! Like Deuteronomy 28:15-68 reminds us: there are consequences for disobedience!
The Woman in a Basket. (5:5-11) Zechariah sees a basket of wickedness. When it is opened, there’s a woman inside! She represents Judah awash in wickedness. Then two more women with wings come and fly the basketful of Judah and her sin to Babylon. It’s not hard to figure out what this vision is about!
Four Chariots. (6:1-8) These four chariots with different colored horses remind us of the four horsemen of the apocalypse in Revelation 6. Both there and here in Zechariah, judgment is depicted!
The rest of Zechariah 6 is a word from the Lord: the priestly Joshua of Zechariah 3 should also be crowned king. This priest was of David’s line, and prefigures the perfect Priest/King, Yeshua, otherwise known as Jesus Christ! Read Zechariah 6:9-15; can’t you see how the prophet’s words go beyond the “Joshua” of his day?
Tomorrow, we learn of the Lord’s priorities.
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
Zechariah’s final three “night visions!”
The Flying Scroll. (5:1-4) Zechariah sees a large flying piece of papyrus; it’s a symbol of the Law of God judging sin and idolatry wherever it goes! Like Deuteronomy 28:15-68 reminds us: there are consequences for disobedience!
The Woman in a Basket. (5:5-11) Zechariah sees a basket of wickedness. When it is opened, there’s a woman inside! She represents Judah awash in wickedness. Then two more women with wings come and fly the basketful of Judah and her sin to Babylon. It’s not hard to figure out what this vision is about!
Four Chariots. (6:1-8) These four chariots with different colored horses remind us of the four horsemen of the apocalypse in Revelation 6. Both there and here in Zechariah, judgment is depicted!
The rest of Zechariah 6 is a word from the Lord: the priestly Joshua of Zechariah 3 should also be crowned king. This priest was of David’s line, and prefigures the perfect Priest/King, Yeshua, otherwise known as Jesus Christ! Read Zechariah 6:9-15; can’t you see how the prophet’s words go beyond the “Joshua” of his day?
Tomorrow, we learn of the Lord’s priorities.
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
SEPTEMBER 24 ZECHARIAH 3-4
Zechariah 3-4
We continue to enter Zechariah’s dreams, his “night visions.”
The fourth vision is of the high priest, Joshua, whose name is, coincidently, the Hebrew form of the name, Jesus, which means, “The Lord saves!” Satan was out to get Joshua, but the Lord rebuked the enemy and reclaimed Joshua, saying, “Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
For all you John Wesley buffs. This is the very passage that came to his mother Susannah’s mind the night the parishioners burned down the Epworth parsonage. John was trapped up stairs and only just escaped the flames and death. As he was being saved, she quoted Zechariah 3:2 with regard to her son, and said, “He is a brand plucked from the flames!” God saved John for the work he had in mind for him.
In Zechariah, Joshua was saved from the enemy to serve as high priest. In Zechariah’s vision, this brand plucked from the flames is cleansed and clothed in clean garments, so that he, in turn, might help cleanse the people from theirs!
The fifth vision is of a gold lampstand and two olive trees. “What are these?” Zechariah asks, yet again. The gold lampstand is the word of the Lord: “’Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” The two olive trees are the two anointed to serve the Lord, and, perhaps, proclaim this word. Many have connected these two “olive trees” to the two witnesses of Revelation 11.
Tomorrow, we read the last three of Zechariah’s night visions!
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
We continue to enter Zechariah’s dreams, his “night visions.”
The fourth vision is of the high priest, Joshua, whose name is, coincidently, the Hebrew form of the name, Jesus, which means, “The Lord saves!” Satan was out to get Joshua, but the Lord rebuked the enemy and reclaimed Joshua, saying, “Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
For all you John Wesley buffs. This is the very passage that came to his mother Susannah’s mind the night the parishioners burned down the Epworth parsonage. John was trapped up stairs and only just escaped the flames and death. As he was being saved, she quoted Zechariah 3:2 with regard to her son, and said, “He is a brand plucked from the flames!” God saved John for the work he had in mind for him.
In Zechariah, Joshua was saved from the enemy to serve as high priest. In Zechariah’s vision, this brand plucked from the flames is cleansed and clothed in clean garments, so that he, in turn, might help cleanse the people from theirs!
The fifth vision is of a gold lampstand and two olive trees. “What are these?” Zechariah asks, yet again. The gold lampstand is the word of the Lord: “’Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” The two olive trees are the two anointed to serve the Lord, and, perhaps, proclaim this word. Many have connected these two “olive trees” to the two witnesses of Revelation 11.
Tomorrow, we read the last three of Zechariah’s night visions!
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
SEPTEMBER 23 ZECHARIAH
Zechariah
For the next six days, we will be spending time with a contemporary of Haggai. Both prophets were concerned about getting the Temple re-built. Zechariah had the extra personal concern that comes from being a priest who might minister in the completed Temple. But these two prophets were clearly just as interested in spiritual renewal as in the building of a building.
Along with Daniel and Ezekiel, Zechariah has a keen interest in the coming Messiah, and in “end-times” themes, as well. Several times in our reading of Zechariah, we will think we are witnessing events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ.
Zechariah begins with a call to repentance (1:2-6), which is followed by his “Eight Night Visions.” The first three appear in today’s reading:
First, Zechariah sees a horseman among the myrtle trees with many horses behind him. “What are these?” asks Zechariah. The horseman says that these are the ones the Lord has sent throughout the earth. They’ve reported peace everywhere, but this will not last. Judgment is coming for the nations that oppressed God’s people, and God’s people will be restored in Zion!
Second, Zechariah sees four horns and four craftsmen. “What are they?” he asks. The four horns are the nations that have oppressed God’s people, and the craftsmen are God’s tools for punishing them.
Third, Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line. “Where are you going?” he asks the man. “To measure Jerusalem,” he answers. God will re-populate the city! He is calling his children home! Those who have touched “the apple of his eye” will be punished. Israel will be restored and established. (Some of this vision seems to extend to the coming kingdom of the Messiah; read 2:11-13, especially!)
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
For the next six days, we will be spending time with a contemporary of Haggai. Both prophets were concerned about getting the Temple re-built. Zechariah had the extra personal concern that comes from being a priest who might minister in the completed Temple. But these two prophets were clearly just as interested in spiritual renewal as in the building of a building.
Along with Daniel and Ezekiel, Zechariah has a keen interest in the coming Messiah, and in “end-times” themes, as well. Several times in our reading of Zechariah, we will think we are witnessing events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ.
Zechariah begins with a call to repentance (1:2-6), which is followed by his “Eight Night Visions.” The first three appear in today’s reading:
First, Zechariah sees a horseman among the myrtle trees with many horses behind him. “What are these?” asks Zechariah. The horseman says that these are the ones the Lord has sent throughout the earth. They’ve reported peace everywhere, but this will not last. Judgment is coming for the nations that oppressed God’s people, and God’s people will be restored in Zion!
Second, Zechariah sees four horns and four craftsmen. “What are they?” he asks. The four horns are the nations that have oppressed God’s people, and the craftsmen are God’s tools for punishing them.
Third, Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line. “Where are you going?” he asks the man. “To measure Jerusalem,” he answers. God will re-populate the city! He is calling his children home! Those who have touched “the apple of his eye” will be punished. Israel will be restored and established. (Some of this vision seems to extend to the coming kingdom of the Messiah; read 2:11-13, especially!)
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
Monday, September 22, 2014
SEPTEMBER 22 HAGGAI
Haggai
Imagine yourself returning to land of your forbearers after seventy years in exile. Though you were being sent “home,” it was a home you’d only heard about or faintly remembered. Returning to the Promised Land was fraught with fearful things. There were no wall cities, no safe places. Jerusalem itself was all-less and temple-less, but the returnees had other fish to fry. And so, even though Darius had sent them home from exile, they drug their feet in rebuilding the House of the Lord.
Enter Haggai, the prophet.
Haggai was God’s instrument for waking God’s people from their lethargy and laziness. “You say it’s not time to build God’s house, yet you had plenty of time to build yourselves paneled houses!” Haggai cries. “If you don’t put God first, you’ll suffer!”
This got the people going. Under the direction of Zerubbabel, the High Priest, the work began. But Zerubbabel’s temple was not to be the grand thing that Solomon’s was, and the people knew it. Haggai asks, “Does it seem to you as nothing? (2:3) Perhaps so, but Haggai goes on to prophesy a future presence that will make the glory of this smaller building greater than Solomon’s great temple (2:9)
As you read Haggai, find yourself encouraged to do the work to which Christ has called us! Tomorrow, we begin another prophet of the returning exiles, Zechariah!
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
Imagine yourself returning to land of your forbearers after seventy years in exile. Though you were being sent “home,” it was a home you’d only heard about or faintly remembered. Returning to the Promised Land was fraught with fearful things. There were no wall cities, no safe places. Jerusalem itself was all-less and temple-less, but the returnees had other fish to fry. And so, even though Darius had sent them home from exile, they drug their feet in rebuilding the House of the Lord.
Enter Haggai, the prophet.
Haggai was God’s instrument for waking God’s people from their lethargy and laziness. “You say it’s not time to build God’s house, yet you had plenty of time to build yourselves paneled houses!” Haggai cries. “If you don’t put God first, you’ll suffer!”
This got the people going. Under the direction of Zerubbabel, the High Priest, the work began. But Zerubbabel’s temple was not to be the grand thing that Solomon’s was, and the people knew it. Haggai asks, “Does it seem to you as nothing? (2:3) Perhaps so, but Haggai goes on to prophesy a future presence that will make the glory of this smaller building greater than Solomon’s great temple (2:9)
As you read Haggai, find yourself encouraged to do the work to which Christ has called us! Tomorrow, we begin another prophet of the returning exiles, Zechariah!
Your fellow pilgrim through the prophets,
Pastor Gary
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