Zechariah 1:7-17 - “God Over All Nations”
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Today in Zechariah:
Is this just a book about Israel back then? Does it still pertain to us now?
Is modern day Israel anything special? Does God care about the other countries?
How is this, Bible, and this OT, relevant to us today?
These are questions I hope to stir in you today.
Today in our world:
The U.S. and Israel have taken action to remove the threat of those who say, “Death to Israel, Death to America.” We need to pray for U.S. troops & leadership, our allies/Isreal, and the Iranian people who will hopefully step up and take it from here.
And they have sponsored terrorism for decades to that end, mostly around Israel’s borders and given them missiles.
They’ve funded and supported the killing of American troops working to stabilize the region around them in Iraq & Afghanistan.
They have spread hate and lies above love and Truth. They teach their children that the holocaust was just a conspiracy theory.
“How long will God put up with this?” Is He seeing what were seeing? Does He care?
I submit to you that He does care, especially about His people Israel, and about the Body of Christ called His church.
And our job, the church is to provoke His people, Israel to jealousy. That they would want what the church has.
Not religion. But a real relationship with the true and living God.
Opening Background
Last week we covered a broad overview of Zechariah and the first six verses
As a whole - Zechariah is a book to encourage the hearts of the people of God. And specifically to be led by the Spirit of God over their own might.
Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
They had grown apathetic, tired, and had opposition against doing the work God had brought them back to do; which was to rebuilt the Temple, but more importantly rebuilt their personal faith in God!
The first six verses reminded the people who started well, to take heart. To not end up like their fathers who were exiled.
But instead, (v. 3) “Turn to Me, and I will return to you.”
Zech 1:1-6 - was a message about repentance.
And it was an important lead-off into Zechariah which speaks of great blessings the Lord will bestow on His people.
He will not bestow His blessings to a people whose hearts are far from Him.
In the same way we still seek blessings without repentance.
We want God to bless us in addition to our sinful lifestyle. But He will not.
God wants to bless us instead of our sin. This requires repentance. A change in direction.
Repentance is choosing the do the right thing instead of the wrong thing. Not the right thing in addition to the wrong thing. And Christian, when you do, standby to receive God’s great blessings.
Last week, I challenged us to find something you need to repent of, because we all have something.
So that, beginning this week, us too, just like them, would receive the blessings as we study this book.
In a single night Zechariah had all eight “visions”
They directly pertain to Israel’s present (519 B.C.), near future, and far future.
They also indirectly pertain to God’s people, the church, or the body of believers in Christ.
The big question the text has us ponder today is - Why is the unrighteous world “at peace,” while the people of God suffer?
Why is the world content in their blatant sin?
When will they be held accountable?
The answer is found in todays passage.
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (vv. 7 - 17) Vision #1 - The Four Horsemen
(v. 7) 24th day of Shebat (name borrowed from the Babylonian’s while they were in exile) - the Roman date equivalent was February 15th, 519 B.C.
This is about 2-3 months after Zechariahs ministry of “repentance” began.
(v. 7) Second year of Darius (king over Persia) - as mentioned last week, the prophet’s normally associated dates to their contemporary Jewish king, but no Jewish king was standing at the time.
(v. 8) I saw by night - Night Visions. The Bible speaks of visions (daytime), and dreams (sleep-time), but this is a “vision,” (awake) at night. We assume this because Zechariah had questions (v. 9), he looked up/down (v. 18), and he interrupted (Zech 3:5); which are not typical of dreams.
All eight visions occured in one night. We believe this because the context shows one date with eight successive visions, the language used implies successive/rapid-fire sequence, “during the night.”
The eight visions are told in Ch. 1-6. Ch. 7 gives the next dated message. (Zech 7:1) “Now in the fourth year of King Darius”
(v. 8) Description - <reread (v. 8) >
Myrtle trees (not to be confused with the Crepe Myrtle) - are found all throughout Israel
It’s a beautiful tree. Known to produce a beautiful fragrance.
It’s name is Hb: hadas, is Esther’s given name (Hebrew name)
And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.
Myrtle trees in a broader sense represent Israel - small, but potent.
In the hollow - or the valley (Ps 23:4). Could be a direct reference to the Kidron Valley or where it connects to the Valley of Hinnom, which is the lowest place.
In the vision - The beautiful trees/Israel was in the lowest place. Facing apathy, exhaustion, and opposition.
But a man on a red horse was there among them. Who might that be?
Colors of the horses - Not too much of a consensus.
Red of whom the rider was Christ - Red is the color of War and battle (blood).
Behind him the horses were
Red - War and Battle
Sorrel - Probably brown or spotted? This Hebrew word is only used in one other place in Scripture (Is 16:8). Meaning unknown.
White - Victory/Triumph.
“The horses suggest a war is coming - there will be blood, but there will be victory. With the Angel of the Lord leading, and all His hosts (army) behind Him.” (MacArthur)
(v. 9-11) Explanation - in response to (v. 9) My lord, what are these? So the angel said i’ll show you.
These are NOT the same as the “four horsemen” of the apocalypse (Revelation)
(vv. 10-11) The man standing aside his red horse is the leader of the horsemen. And He is identified in (v. 11) as the Angel of the LORD - none other then Jesus Christ Himself, in was is called a theophany or a Christophany; a preincarnate appearance of Christ.
This shouldn’t be too surprising to you because:
Who walked with Adam and Even in the garden in the cool of the night?
Who wrestled with Jacob in the wilderness?
Who was the “commander of the Army of the Lord” who appeared to Joshua before taking down Jericho?
Who was the “Angel of the Lord” who appeared to Gideon?
Who was the fourth “like the Son of God” in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
Just to name a few. God takes the form of a person even in the O.T. This person is Jesus Christ.
Also, keep in mind Jesus is God, from eternity past to eternity future…John 1 speaks of this
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:16 - reveals this “flesh” as the person of Jesus Christ.
(vv. 10-11) Like a military commander: (BAMCIS)
He sent (v. 10) the other three horseman to patrol (conduct reconnaissance) the earth and gather intel.
Recon is an “intel” function - to get in, gather information, get out, unnoticed/stealth.
Often occuring before the battle takes place. To provide the commander with actionable information.
He was standing by (v. 11a) - waiting for the men to return with the report
Jesus among the Myrtle trees represents God’s presence with His people in the lowest place - during this time of hardship as they seek to rebuilt their temple after 70 years of exile and during present opposition.
You know - Jesus Christ - the God they DON’T believe in is standing with them in their lowest place in their hardship.
Jesus is was with you in your lowest place. And He remains there.
He receives (v. 11b) their report - which was
We have walked to and fro through the earth - these angels are of heaven.
Who else walks to and fro through the earth?
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
What is Satan doing?
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Zechariah gives us a look into the Spiritual Realm, that co-exists around us. What is occuring in this realm?
Angels and Demons (numbered into the billions) are all around.
Some working for God.
Some working against God.
Both are more powerful than you.
All are subordinate to God and respond to God.
You must appeal to God IOT have any influence over the angelic or demonic realm whatsoever.
and behold, all the earth (surrounding regions/nations) is resting quietly - you know, the world that God used to bring discipline against Israel…resting quietly…
There is something eery about this. (MTF)
(v. 12) Intercession - The Angel of the Lord (the Second person of the Trinity - the Son) answered and said, “O Lord of Hosts (the First person of the Trinity - the Father), how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem…
Jesus prayed to the Father all the time in the N.T.
How long will You NOT have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you were angry these seventy years?
The subject here is the (literal) Jewish people; God’s chosen people (of whom is the central character - subject - of the O.T.). Or Israel; not limited only to Jerusalem and cities of Judah.
We discussed last week about the Lords severe anger with His own people, whom He was long-suffering towards (their sin), up until the point where He had to send them into exile, for 70 years.
Jeremiah prophesied this.
And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
God is a God of order and math. 70 years was calculated because of Israel had not performed their sabbath year (every 7 years) across a 490 year period leading to their exile. So God gave the land back it’s 70 years of Sabbath rest.
And those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.
We don’t “get away” with stuff when God tells us how to live.
You don’t get away with sin. There will be payment. God is the accountant.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
So God WAS (past tense) angry with Israel.
But Israel’s 70 years of decreed punishment ARE OVER!! So they’re effectively saying what gives?!?! When do we catch a break.
Why are we STILL living a life of hardship? Here’s some perspective:
For the Christian, this life is the closest thing to hell you’ll ever have to experience. It only gets better from here.
For the non-Christian, this life is the closest thing to heaven you’ll ever get to experience. It only gets worse from here.
God LOVES it when we call on Him and remind Him of HIS Promises.
Lord, you say if we humble ourselves that you will lift us up. That if we seek you, you will be found. That a life of obedience leads to righteousness. That you listen to our prayers. And that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails (accomplishes) much.
Lord, we want THAT!!
We once made you angry with our lifestyle too. But we call on your goodness/blessing to fall upon us, and the world at large.
Here’s His answer - (v. 13) And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words.
God’s Word is good and comforting.
God’s Word is only scary and frightening if you’re on the wrong side of Jesus.
Not even the book of Revelation. Because Jesus doesn’t beat His bride before He marries her…and many in the “church” would claim.
He raptures His bride - removing her from judgement that comes down onto the unbelieving world.
God’s Word is only scary to those who don’t believe. And rightly so.
If you’re not a believer and you’re not scared…you should be!
Here it is <re-read vv. 14-17> “Good and comforting Words”
Zechariah - Proclaim - Preach, shout, cry out!! People NEED TO KNOW….
“how will they know if you do not tell them…
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
How shall they hear without a proclaimer?
God’s Word is your T/O weapon (USMC term for your primary assigned weapon system). People need to be told God’s Word in order to believe it! So proclaim it yourself!
I am zealous (syn: jealous, heated, excited) for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great zeal (jealousy to fight for support)
For JERUSALEM - GOD’s City
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
Jerusalem
But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
What does the Bible mean by Jerusalem? Jerusalem!?!?
Is the most mentioned city - over 800 times in the Bible
Israel is the most mentioned nation - over 2,500 times in the Bible
For comparison - “church” is only mentioned 110 times.
And for Zion - The City of David.
<point out all the references to literal Israel in these verses (vv. 14-17)>
But look at the contrast picture here - (v. 15) I am exceedingly angry with the nations as ease; For I was a little angry, And they helped—but with evil intent.”
God is talking about the nations He used to bring discipline to Israel went further then what God desired them too.
How does God feel about you when you treat His people harshly?
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
How can you “love Jesus,” but hate His people? More specifically, how can you “Love God,” but hate Israel.
Make no mistake; God is speaking about the literal nation of Israel. God’s Chosen People.
This is the same nation that spoke to Abraham about beginning in Gen 12, saying:
I will make you a great nation - (Phil 1:6)
Not, I might make you a great nation
Not, You will make you a great nation.
Real Estate is included - Gen 15:18
On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates—
Land which has not been fully possessed at anytime in past history…so for God’s Word to remain true, it must be yet future.
Blessings - for Israel and those who support her
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
Two unmistakable blessings (among many others) are that:
The O.T. was provided and preserved by the Jews.
The Messiah (Jesus Christ) came through the Jews.
I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
The valley of dry bones? Ezekiel 37 speaks of a future Israel that is dead, but somehow is resuscitated by God and brought back to life.
Almost like May 14, 1948 after Adolf Hitler killed 1/3 of the Jews on the planet.
And why can’t God choose His elect?
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
And why can’t you be happy that God can save people other than yourself?
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies…
If God chose to save the literal nation of Israel, is that okay with you?
Think of the person you can’t stand the most…that wronged you the most, that is a terrible person in every way.
What if God saved that person. And they became the next Billy Graham? Is that okay with you?
If you say no - “you better check yo-self, before you wreck yo-self”
Some say that this nation is not the same genetic people as the past nation of Israel. Do you think the Geneology is too hard for God to figure out? The same God who INVENTED genes (DNA)?
Well, “Israel hasn’t been faithful to the True and Living God.”
Was that a pre-requisite for you before you got saved? Do you get clean before you take a shower?
Was that a pre-requisite when God told Abraham He would make them a great nation of Land, Seed, and Blessing? Or when He told David that the Messiah would come from his lineage and rule and reign from the throne of David forever?
Has God begun a work in Israel? Yes.
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Will God finish His work in Israel? “You can bet your bottom dollar!”
God finishes what He starts. With Israel, nationally. And with us, personally.
He is in the hollow among the Myrtles. If He’s not - if God can turn His back on the Jews, then why won’t He also turn His back on you?
God is faithful and steadfast. Even when we are not (2 Tim 2:13)
Israel is inseparable from the story of the Bible.
He chooses whom He sovereignly elects.
You can choose to support Him and His choices.
Or you can choose to “support Him,” but rebel against His preferences.
The church is pictured as the bride of Christ.
A wife who is married but disagrees with her husband at every decision point would be misery.
Given current events with the war in Iran I only want to say two things
(1) I expect that the U.S. will be blessed by their alliance with “the nation of” Israel.
(2) Pray for all involved and for God to shape the battlefield to His desires.
Closing
Closure - Why is the unrighteous world “at peace,” while the people of God suffer? God is at work, even now. Patrolling the world.
Why is the world content in their blatant sin? They may be content for a short-time, but it’s temporary. While their still alive, its your opportunity to share the gospel with them.
When will they be held accountable? They will be. In His time and in His way.
He is long-suffering to them, just like He was to you and I. Be patient. (2 Pet 3:9)
God is a universal God - over Israel - whom He loves AND the nations.
He will make righteous judgment over all nations.
God has chosen Israel - and we should be supportive of the Lords choices.
We, the church, have been grafted in. (Rom 11)
It’s not too late to choose Him (but it may be after today) - You too can find good and comforting words.
Offer of Salvation - God’s Gift of salvation is free, but it was not cheap.
Jesus already died on the cross for you, paid in full the penalty for your sins (past, present, and future).
It’s the only gift of its kind in the world that is freely given to any who accept it. The gift of permanent life starting today of peace, joy, and purpose.
But it was not cheap. Because God’s own Son, came to this earth in the form of a man, lived a perfect life and gave up His life, that you could have yours.
He then defeated death and published a book with overwhelming testimony to describe it, then preserved it for thousands of years…and here it is.
I can’t encourage you enough choose today whom you’ll serve.
Let’s Pray -
for those who want to accept Christ,
for the nation of Israel, the U.S., and the people of Iran. For God’s good will to be done in this war.
Benediction - As for me…me and my house will serve the Lord.
