Nations Judged

A study on Zechariah

The Nations Judged

Zechariah 1:18-21

Theme: God vindicates His people because of His promise.

Introduction: Anytime you study history, the nation of Israel comes up somewhere in the discussion. The history of Israel has repeatedly suffered at the hands of many nations and yet survived. The reason is God made a special promise to Israel which He still follows.

“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

Please notice God is saying any nation or people who blesses, God will bless. This is the message of this second vision to Zechariah. The nations that have scattered the Jews will be terrified and thrown down by God’s judgement. In a letter to President Ronald Reagan, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin he wrote, “My generation, dear Ron, swore on the altar of God that whoever proclaims the intent of destroying the Jewish state or the Jewish people, or both, seals his fate.” It is the Lord that will bring the judgment.

I fear, we are treading on thin ice when we are making overtures from the White House that we will not support and defend Israel. Of all the evil things we have done or allowed to be done in America, this is by far the most dangerous and disastrous thing we could possibly do. If we turn our back on Israel, we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation.

In 722, Assyria defeated the Northern Kingdom of Israel, but God raised up Babylon to defeat Assyria (Jeremiah 25:9, 27:6) and eventually take Judah into captivity in 586 BC. Babylon did indeed oppress the Jews, but then God raised up Cyrus to conquer Babylon in 539 (Isa. 44:28; 45:1) and in 538, God permitted the Jews to return to their land.

God shows us what He means regarding His promise to the nation. This is intended to bring comfort to them as they are in the process of rebuilding the temple of God.

The one thing we learn from history is we never learn from history.

Through the horns God shows us His promise.

I. The Horns of ruin v. 18-19

In Scripture, a horn is a symbol of power, especially the power of a nation or ruler.

A. The identity

1. There is a question: what are the horns?

2. They are more than likely on a large-animals-it would only seem to make sense but these animals represent nations: nations which have scattered Judah and Israel and Jerusalem.

3. It refers more than likely nations who have oppressed and hurt God’s people.

4. Specifically, it will be Gentiles or world empires: just like in Daniel: Medo-Persia, Babylonia, Greece, and Rome.

5. These nations have oppressed His people with a terrible vengeance.

B. The infliction

1. Notice they scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.

2. These nations hated the Jews and brought much persecution on them.

3. Many nations in history belong in this category, and Germany during WWII.

4. Also today the Arab nations with the help of the United Nation are trying to eliminate the Jews.

5. Antisemitism is at an all-time high and the October 7th event seemed to have unleashed the horrible hatred the world has to Israel.

6. This is turning into a spiritual warfare between good and evil. Between light and darkness. Our next president better stand with Israel or we will be under the judgment of God

The remnant has returned from Babylon and now they are facing discouragement and imminent danger. God reminds them He will fulfill His promise with them.

II. The Carpenters of revenge vv. 20-21

God will use these nations as tools in His hand.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1)

This reminds us that God’s providential care in the past and His promise of protection for the future. God will not permit any nation to annihilate His chosen people. As in the last days, when Antichrist, the “dreadful and terrible beast,” establishes his kingdom and persecutes the Jews, he and his kingdom will be destroyed by the return of Jesus Christ in glory and power.

A. The identity

1. This seems to be another part of the scene in this vision, perhaps like a picture in the picture.

2. Who are these carpenters? These come to fray which means to frighten or terrorize.

3. These nations are the enemies to the enemies of Israel: Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and ultimately the Messiah.

4. The prophet is looking ahead of these nations and the Lord Jesus Christ to come Rev. 1911-16

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11–16)

B. The victory

1. These nations will be used by God to bring divine revenge on those who have oppressed, persecuted, and scattered Israel.

2. God will get the ultimate victory and God is reminding us He is the coming King.

Conclusion: When you mess with Israel, you are messing with God Himself. God will not let His people be mistreated and we must bless them as God commands in Scripture.