Minor Prophets Zechariah: Jealous for Zion
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Intro/Background
Intro/Background
As we continue in our survey of the Minor Prophets, we get to the book of Zechariah, a post-excilic period (537 to 430 BC) book, which is after the Babylonian exile and return. As we look at this book it will cover 12 chapters over 5 weeks.
The set up:
Following the 70 years of captivity and the decree of Cyrus (Ezr1:1-5)
I think it is best to give some scriptures so to paint a better picture
1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: 2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 ‘Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 ‘Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’ ”
5 Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.
Zerubbabel leads the first group out of exile back to Judah/Jerusalem (Ezr2:1-2)
1 Now these are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city. 2 These came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
You can read further in Ezra for the breakdown of numbers but the number was 42,360 in the first return.
The temple rebuilding starts and stalls (Ezr4:1-5)
1 Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the Lord God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God; and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.”
3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.” 4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and frightened them from building,
5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Encouragement to the returnee’s through Haggai and Zechariah (Ezr5:1-2)
1 When the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them, 2 then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them supporting them.
We looked at Haggai last week, now we turn to Zechariah, the longest of the Minor Prophet books, but also most obscure. Some things said about it.
“Some of the most difficult of the O.T.”
“Apocalyptic in nature; filled with symbolic visions like Ezekiel and Daniel”
“Very messianic in nature, comparative to Isaiah”
So, having said all that, now the nuts, bolts of the book.
Name/Author: Zechariah- name means “Whom Jehovah Remembers”
Zechariah comes from priestly descent like Ezekiel (Zec1:1)
Iddo was a chief priest - we will get to the verse in a few minutes
Date: He prophesied around 520-518 B.C. (Zec1:7, 7:1)
7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, as follows:
Notice there is a very specific date noted (1:7) what is it?
24th day, 11th month, 2nd year of Darius
Now look at the other end.
1 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.
Another very specific date in (7:1)?
4th year of King Darius, 4th day, 9th month.
With these dates in mind, it would appear that this comes as a sequel to Haggai.
The Message: “I am zealous for Zion” (Zec1:14)
14 So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.
You may note down that verse for that is key verse for this book. Zechariah has been sent to encourage the people in building the temple, but sometimes there is an admonishment that comes first.
So, here is what we have in short form for this morning.
A call to repentance (Zec1:1-6)
Visions in the night (Zec1:7-3:10)
A call to repentance
A call to repentance
God promises, God instructs, God admonishes, God judges and God encourages. In our passage now is a call for repentance (admonishment)
With 3 chapters to survey this morning, we will read the passage and draw a few points out as we go along.
1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying,
As noted before the date here is very specific, but let me bring in another placement thing for your information.
The timing of this message 8th month, 2nd year of Darius would coinside with Haggai and be placed between his 2nd and 3rd prophesies, note down Hag2:1 , 10 for your research to see it.
Thoughts about the call to repentance (Zec1:2-6)
2 “The Lord was very angry with your fathers.
The Lord had been angry, why? Rebellion, covenant breaking, result, captivity in Babylon
3 “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.
What is the call for and the promise of when you look at (v.3)?
Repentance and return
a N.T. parallel, note down in your notes for it is not on the outline
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not listen or give heed to Me,” declares the Lord.
Don’t be like your fathers who did not listen.
5 “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 “But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? Then they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to do to us in accordance with our ways and our deeds, so He has dealt with us.’ ” ’ ”
Their fathers learned, learned the hard way, don’t do the same thing.
(Transition): I think the message thus far is pretty clear - - - repent and return, don’t be like your fathers! Now this leads to visions at night. There are eight messages (visions) that occur in just one night, we will start to cover them today.
Visions in the night (pt. I)
Visions in the night (pt. I)
As we start to look at the visions on a specific night we will start today with the first four of eight visions.
Rider and the horses (Zec1:7-17)
The vision
7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, as follows: 8 I saw at night, and behold, a man was riding on a red horse, and he was standing among the myrtle trees which were in the ravine, with red, sorrel and white horses behind him.
9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” And the angel who was speaking with me said to me, “I will show you what these are.”
How many horses are seen in vision (v.8)?
Four; Red, another red, sorrel and white horse
What was the question asked (v.9)?
What are these Lord?
So very quickly thereafter comes the explanation
10 And the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are those whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.” 11 So they answered the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees and said, “We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is peaceful and quiet.”
They were agents sent by the Lord to patrol the earth
Stop! Look, who is the man among the myrtle trees (v.11)?
It is the angel of the Lord (a Christophany)
12 Then the angel of the Lord said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You have no compassion for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been indignant these seventy years?”
The angel asks the Father how long will no mercy be shown on Jerusalem and Judah.
Now comes some comforting words to be proclaimed to the people.
13 The Lord answered the angel who was speaking with me with gracious words, comforting words. 14 So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.
15 “But I am very angry with the nations who are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they furthered the disaster.” 16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord, “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.” ’
17 “Again, proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ”
(Transition) as mentioned before Haggai and words to Zerubbabel and here words from Zechariah go hand in hand.
We see the key verse here, the zeal the Lord has for Jerusalem
We see words of promise that the anger will burn against the nations.
God is going to judge the nations and show mercy on Jerusalem. This leads us now to the next vision on the same night
Four horns and four craftsmen (Zec1:18-21)
18 Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there were four horns. 19 So I said to the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these?” And he answered me, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.”
Four horns identified as the instruments used to scatter Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.
20 Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. 21 I said, “What are these coming to do?” And he said, “These are the horns which have scattered Judah so that no man lifts up his head; but these craftsmen have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah in order to scatter it.”
The craftsmen will be God’s tool of judgment against those who scattered Judah.
(Transition) Remember they had come back to Jerusalem to build the temple, work started, work stopped, purpose here is to encourage the work to get going again so the words that are given are for comfort for God will take care of the nations coming against them.
Man with measuring line (Zec2:1-13)
1 Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 So I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see how wide it is and how long it is.”
3 And behold, the angel who was speaking with me was going out, and another angel was coming out to meet him, 4 and said to him, “Run, speak to that young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it.
5 ‘For I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ”
First part of the vision, shows that Jerusalem will be protected by the Lord. It will be inhabited and overflowing even.
6 “Ho there! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord, “for I have dispersed you as the four winds of the heavens,” declares the Lord. 7 “Ho, Zion! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon.”
8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. 9 “For behold, I will wave My hand over them so that they will be plunder for their slaves. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.
Next part, calls for the Jews (those still in captivity) to disburse and return.
10 “Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the Lord. 11 “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.
12 “The Lord will possess Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
Now a beautiful picture of future joy for not only Jerusalem (Zion) but many nations.
Part will be when the temple is completed, more fulfilled when the Messiah comes.
13 “Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused from His holy habitation.”
So, shhhhh, be quiet, the Lord is about to act.
So, with comfort, with promise, now, get to work! Rebuild!
Joshua, High Priest (Zec3:1-10)
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. 4 He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”
5 Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by.
In filthy garments before Satan and the angel of the Lord (v.3)
Remove them and put on the festal robes (vv.4-5)
6 And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, 7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.
8 ‘Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. 9 ‘For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 ‘In that day,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”
Words of admonishment, instruction
Walk in My ways (v.7)
Know you are a symbol of the coming One the Branch (v.8)
A stone is set before Joshua with seven eyes, the Lord will inscribe on it.
The Lord will remove the iniquity (written in stone so cannot be changed).
So, get to work, get back to work, get the temple built for the best is yet to come.
With that we end our portion for today.
(Pray)(Exit)