Sermon Tone Analysis

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

Zerubbabel leads the first group out of exile back to Judah/Jerusalem (Ezr2:1-2)

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)

Encouragement to the returnee’s through Haggai and Zechariah (Ezr5:1-2)

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)

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.

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)

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

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.

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)

The Lord had been angry, why?

Rebellion, covenant breaking, result, captivity in Babylon

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

Don’t be like your fathers who did not listen.

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)

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

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

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)

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.

(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)

Four horns identified as the instruments used to scatter Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.

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)

First part of the vision, shows that Jerusalem will be protected by the Lord.

It will be inhabited and overflowing even.

Next part, calls for the Jews (those still in captivity) to disburse and return.

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.

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)

In filthy garments before Satan and the angel of the Lord (v.3)

Remove them and put on the festal robes (vv.4-5)

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)