Zechariah Chapters 1-3

The prophet Zechariah shared the words of God with the Israelite people in about 520BC, during a time of upheaval in the Persian Empire. This takes place prior to the return to Jerusalem, so much of Zechariah's message is about the need to return to God and God's promises of a hopeful future.

1:3 and 4 - The people are called by Zechariah to repent. To renew the relationship with God, repentance has to take place. There must be a change of heart...a change of mind...a change of action in the lives of the Jewish people for God to enter back into relationship with them. God promises that if His people will repent of their old ways and return to Him, that He will return to them as well. This is something that every one of us needs to understand. Sin gets in the way of our relationship with God...it drives a wedge between us...disconnects us from our Creator. Fortunately God is so merciful that if we will turn from our sin and run to Him, He will take us back.

1:8-11 - This is a pretty interesting vision that Zechariah sees...he sees a regiment of angels who have just returned from a reconnaissance mission that encompassed the whole earth. The whole image has a clandestine feel to it...they are on camouflaged horses and hiding in the myrtle bushes (6 to 8 foot tall bushes that provided excellent cover in the desert) in a shaded glen. The angels report that the world is at peace...which seems like great news, but it isn't...

1:12 - The head angel is upset - he says, "How long Lord? How long?!" Why is he upset that the world is at peace? Because the kingdoms that are in charge of the world at this point are evil...they are nations that stand in opposition to God and they are experiencing peaceful, problem free control. The angel is upset because he wants to see turmoil in the pagan kingdoms...he wants to see some sign of the upheaval of power that must come in the people of God are going to once more regain their power. The angel's frustration reminds me of the frustration that we all feel when it seems like evil wins in the world. It just isn't right!

1:16 - But God assures the angels and Zechariah that He is in control, as He has always been. He tells them that He is returning in power to Israel...the holy nation of priest people will be redeemed...their nation will be rebuilt....there is hope!

1:19-21 - What is this strange imagery all about? Well, the four horns most likely represent the Assyrian and Babylonian empires that crushed the Israelites and scattered them all over the middle East. The four craftsmen represent the Persian Empire, which came in and shattered the "horns" and treated the exiles of Israel will (Eventually even financing their return to rebuild the temple of the Lord and the city of Jerusalem). This vision is given as a reminder that God is at work in the seemingly unexplainable events of the world.

2:4 - This is very powerful imagery - I love it! Zechariah is told that the people of Israel will return and theirs will be a city without walls. At first this sounds like it would be unprotected, but the power rests in the message of a city without walls. A city like that is free to endlessly expand...a city without walls is open to all who come to join in. This is God's vision for His people and His vision for the world - that His people would be the foundation for a welcoming community that invites people from every corner of the earth to dwell in the presence of God. How cool is that? Is your church community a "city without walls?" It should be.

2:5 - There is no need for walls around the future city of God, because the Lord Himself is their protection. The cleansing fire of the Lord holds those who only wish evil on the people of God at bay.

2:11 - We see that the imagery of godly community continues to expand in the passage. People from every nation will come to the city...God will live in the midst of His people and His people will love one another regardless of differences. This is a vision of the world as it should be.

2:13 - This is another powerful verse that just gives me chills...silence is demanded because God is on the move. What can you do? What can you say? What can you add? The Creator of all things...The Word...The God of infinite power and imagination is going to work in the world. The only appropriate response is to be still...to listen to His voice...to drink it all in.

3:2ff - Here Zechariah is taken into the midst of a tense heavenly courtroom scene. The accuser stands ready to bring charges against Joshua (Yes, THAT Joshua, he is representing Israel in this vision). Joshua is in the courtroom of God, but he is covered in filthy rags. The Hebrew words used for filthy in this passage are words that are used elsewhere to describe vomit and feces. So, Joshua is in absolutely disgusting condition (Sin will do that to you)...he has no place in the presence of God. Yet, just as the accuser is about to crush Joshua, the Lord steps in. The Lord rebukes the accuser and demands that Joshua's garments be destroyed and that he be clothed in pure robes. The imagery of the turban and the robes represent the idea that the priesthood of Israel is being restored. Only the Lord can remove sins from the lives of tainted human beings and He has chosen to do so for the nation of Israel. In the same way He chose to offer us a chance to change from filthy sin-filled garments to righteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ.

3:7 - It is important for us to understand that with forgiveness comes expectation. Much like Jesus in the New Testament who would offer forgiveness and healing to men and women and then tell them to "go and sin no more" - the people of Israel are instructed to follow in the ways of God. He promises that if they follow His commands that they will be blessed in all they do and that He will use them powerfully in His kingdom. Do you and I realize that power that is within our grasp when we choose to walk in the way of Jesus? The power to bring change. The power to join God in His redeeming work in the world. That is beautiful!

3:10 - The vine and the fig tree that are mentioned here are symbols used to represent peace and prosperity. Those who experience the freedom of following God will naturally invite others to join in. Do you get so excited about your life with God that you cannot wait to invite other people into the great adventure? Why not?