Sermon Tone Analysis

Motivating the people (a look back)

This morning we continue our survey of Zechariah (part 2 of 5) and we continue to look at this series of visions that he had in one night.

Previously we have seen:

Zechariah the prophet, contemporary with Haggai to the returning Jews from exile.

Purpose to encourage the rebuilding of the temple (Ezr5:1-2; 6:14-15)

I think there are some scriptures I need to bring back in to keep before us today as we continue.

The start with the prophesy to motivate; followed by the results

A call for national repentance (Zec1:1-6)

3- visions and a message (Zec1:7-3:10)

Vision one: Rider and horses

Vision two: Four horns and four craftsmen

Vision three: Man with measuring line

And finally, Joshua the high priest w/instruction

Purpose of the visions:

To remind the people of God’s zeal for Jerusalem

To reassure Joshua of his role as high priest

And, God revealing of even greater to come (Zec3:8-10)

(Transition) now, this morning as mentioned when we started I would like for us to survey the other four visions (Zec4:1-6-8) and after that the instructions to crown Joshua (Zec6:9-15).

I want to bring to remembrance also that Zechariah is filled with lot’s of symbolism and some can be hard to comprehend, but will try to convey as best I can, but I think the take away will be obvious when we finish.

Visions in the night

What a night for Zechariah, finally starting to get some good sleep only to be awoken by an angel to give him more.

More visions with more questions.

Don’t worry there are explanations too.

Vision of Gold lampstand and two olive trees (Zec4:1-14)

What did Zechariah see (vv.2-3)?

Lampstand all of Gold

Seven lamps on it

Seven spouts

Two olive trees one on each side of it.

Being roused from his sleep seeing these things, Zechariah not sure what they mean, so he speaks up.

Hey wait, he asked a question and the answer was don’t you know?

Hum, let’s press on

What fact does the angel reveal to Zechariah (v.6)?

This vision is for Zerubbabel (the governor)

It is not by might nor power by the Spirit

Not by might nor power but by Spirit that will bring forth the top stone, the cap stone! - the cap stone is the finishing stone, so the finishing of the temple will happen under Zerubbabel

From start to finish Zerubbabel, when you finish you will know that the Lord of hosts is with you and has sent Zechariah to you.

Why?

To encourage you to finish the work that has been started.

We have a definition now of the seven lamps, seven pipes (v.2) here in (v.10), what is it?

They are the eyes of the Lord which scan the whole earth.

There will be gladness when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel hand.

Still there is more questions, we have the explanation, definition regarding the golden lampstand, lamps, pipes, but now more questions since the olive trees have not been explained yet.

What are the two olive trees as defined (v.14)?

They are the two anointed ones.

Now we are not told who they are, could it be Zerubabbel and Joshua?

Could it be Moses and Elijah a the mount of transfiguration?

I would lean toward the former since this book is about motivating the returning exiles to get to work on the rebuilding the temple.

As for the small things, we know that the temple is pale in comparison to Solomon’s temple, but consider this

the young sang praises, the old wept.

It may not seem as much as the previous temple to those who had seen it in it’s former glory, but there is more to come, so hold on! - there are more visions to look at.

Vision of the flying scroll (Zec5:1-4)

What can you tell about the scroll from (v.2)?

It is flying, and it’s dimensions (about 30 ft x 15 ft)

This time the explanation is given right away

what is the scroll according to (v.3)?

It is the curse that goes out

The curse defined on one side that the one who steals (the thief) will be purged (expelled out)

The curse defined on the other side as the one who swears will be purged (expelled out)

It was these kind of people that led to the downfall, the judgment of Israel and Judah

and what Micah had to say too

The thief, the one who swears falsely are going to be purged, expelled out from within God’s people.

Vision of woman in the basket (Zech5:5-11)

Note: in other versions it may use the word Ephah vs. basket

What is the definition of the woman in the basket (v.8)?

Wickedness

Then we see in (v.9) two more women, with wings like stork’s and carrying away the woman in the basket with a lead top on it.

Wickedness was going to be purged, expelled from within the people and carried off to land of Shinar (Babylon).

Was that not what happened?

Was not Judah carried off to Babylon, the former temple destroyed because of the sin of the people?

The land had to be purged so it would be rebuilt for that which is better was yet to come.

Vision of the four chariots (Zec6:1-8)

(originally I thought that we would make it through to (v.15)

I do not think we will make it there, if not, we will pick up there next week.

What do you learn about the chariots (vv.1-3)?

Four of them, with red horses, black horses, white horses and then dappled horses — strong steeds

What do the four chariots represent according to (v.5)?

Four spirits of heaven

The black head’s north with white following

The dappled, strong steed head south.

They go to and fro throughout the earth.

The ones to the north give rest to the Spirit of the Lord in the north country.

Is this at the completion of the temple there will be peace, there will be rest?

It would be an easy assumption of that.

Now think about this 8 visions one night with many questions along the way.

The central message was through Zechariah to Zerubbabel and Joshua to encourage them to continue their efforts in rebuilding the temple, for there is still better yet to come! - With that we will stop there and pick up next week (v.9)

(Prayer) (Exit)