People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 20

 

Zechariah 7-8

Empty Religious Rituals – Zechariah 7

Darius was now the king and 2 years had passed since the rebuilding of the temple started.  A delegation from Bethel asked the priests if they should mourn and fast as they had done for so many years.  God redirected their question by asking a question.  Were they doing the fasting for themselves or for Him?  God desires justice, mercy, and compassion, not outward displays of religious . These fasts were not commanded by God, but made up by man.

The people responded with God’s past mercies by their disobedience.  They neglected obedience everyday making their fasting hypocritical.  God wanted them to execute true justice, show mercy and compassion.  He wanted them to not oppress the widows and the fatherless, the alien or the poor and not to plan evil in their hearts against their brothers.

Principle:  We are to execute true justice and show mercy and compassion.

Jerusalem Restored – Zechariah 8

God responded to Zion (Jerusalem) saying He is very jealous for them.  This statement of being jealous means He has a passionate concerned for His people.  He said He will return to Zion and dwell in their midst.  Because of His presence the city will be transformed into a place of truth and holiness.  When God’s presence is real in our lives, we become holy people and people of truth.

The repeated phrase,“This is what the Lord Almighty says” tell what God promises His people:

He will dwell in Jerusalem and the city will be called the City of Truth and the mountain will be called the Holy Mountain.

The young and old will enjoy the city in safety.

It will be marvelous to the people and to Him.

The people will be saved and brought back to Jerusalem; hearts will be changed.

They will hear the words of the prophets.

Gen. 12:1-3 confirms the promise given to Abraham.  God will make him a great nation, will bless him, will bless those who bless him and whoever curses him He will curse and all people on earth will be blessed through him.

The Lord said that He hates when we plot evil against our neighbors and when we lie.  He calls us to love truth and peace.

He answered the question posed in Zech. 7:3 about fasting.  He said the fasts of the 4^th, 5^th, 7^th, and the 10^th months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah.   

God turns mourning, grief and sorrow into joy by giving us comfort and hope.  Just knowing that He is working behind the scenes in the middle of our suffering and knowing His ultimate promise of eternal life gives comfort and hope.

We can find joy in our heaviest burdens if we just remember what Jesus endured and how we found comfort in the presence of God.   He was betrayed, beaten, and suffered agony of the cross because He knew the joy that awaited Him.  The same Spirit that gave Jesus joy can reside in us.  We can go to Him in prayer and ask that He fill us with joy and comfort.  Invite Him to work in your life and produce joy that overflows.

The Lord describes the future when many nations and peoples will recognize His presence with the Jewish people.  Many will seek to join with them in worshiping the Lord.  Many different nations will be represented and will come to Jerusalem and will encourage others.

Principle:  Because God has promised to bless us, we should be a blessing to others.

Resources:

Bible.org

Easyenglish.bible

Thebiblesays.com

Next week we will continue our study in Zechariah.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 19

 

Zechariah 5-6

Vision 6:  The Flying Scroll – Zechariah 5:1-4

This vision symbolizes how God will judge sinners.  Zechariah saw a flying scroll that said this is a curse for the whole land.  On one side it said every thief will banish and on the other everyone who swears falsely will be banished.  God will punish those who do not obey His laws.  These laws called the Ten commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-21.

When we lie and steal we are sinning against God and against our neighbors.  Matthew 22:36-40 tells us that we must love God with all our heart and soul and mind, but we must also love our neighbor as ourselves.  If we don’t, we are violating God’s law.

This vision’s message point to our need for salvation in Christ.  “There is no one righteous; not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” – Romans 3:10-12   No one can achieve perfect righteousness on their own; that’s why we need the Savior, Jesus.

The large flying scroll represents God’s judgment against sin and its size indicates it covers the entire land.  It deals with theft and lying and those who commit these sins will face divine retribution.

Principle:  God will be relentless in judging all sin.

Vision 7:  The Woman in a Basket – Zechariah 5:5-11

In this vision he saw a woman in a basket.   The basket was filled with all the sins of the people, but it wasn’t large enough to hold all the sins.  The woman tried to lift the lead lid as if trying to escape, but the angel forces her down and puts the led back in place.  Perhaps she sensed that judgment is coming. 

This woman represents wickedness the sinful nature of the people.  The basket holds the wickedness and will be dealt with by God.

Then 2 women with wings took the basket away.  Not sure who these women are, but we know they are accomplishing the will of God.  It symbolizes the removal of sin.  They were taking the basket to Babylon, which was a fitting place to take it since Babylon was a place of wickedness and idolatry.  There a house will be built and she will be set there on her own pedestal as an idol for pagans worship.

Principle:  God will eventually remove all sin and evil.

Vision 8:  Four Chariots – Zechariah 6

This vision depicts 4 chariots – one had red horses, the 2^nd black, the 3^rd white, and the 4^th dappled. The angel revealed these were the 4 spirits of heaven.  They were powerful and went throughout the earth.

This vision is similar to Zechariah’s 1^st vision.  In the 1^st there is a man on a red horse patrolling the earth and emphasizes God’s judgment on the enemies of Israel and encourages the rebuilding of the temple.  In in the 8^th there are 4 chariots with horses of different colors patrolling the earth and emphasizes God’s execution of His judgments.  Both highlight God’s awareness and involvement in the world.

God’s judgments will come to all the nations of the earth, especially those that afflicted Israel.  God directed Zechariah to make a crown of silver and gold donated by some exiles and set it on Joshua the high priest’s head and then put it in the temple.

This is a picture of the future high priest, the future Messiah as both priest and king. He was to speak to Joshua and tell him that this is what the Lord says, “Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord.  It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne.” – Zech. 6:12-13.  A branch is a term referring to the rightful heir from the family of King David.  Jesus the Messiah comes from the line of David.

Jesus fulfills the role as the great High Priest.  “but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.  Therefore he is able to save completely….” – Heb. 7:24-28.  He as our Priest offered a one-time sacrifice for us. (Heb 10:12).  He intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34).

We learn about Jesus as King from these verses:

Matt. 25:31 – “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.”

Eph. 1:20-22 – “Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.”

Phil. 2:9-11 – “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above   every name…”

Rev. 1:5 – “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”

Principle:  Jesus is both our High Priest and our King.

These visions are hard to understand.  I had to get some help from other sources.

Resources:

Bible.org

Easyenglish.bible

Thebiblesays.com

Next week we will continue our study in Zechariah.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 18

 

Zechariah 1:7 – 4:14

Vision 1 – Man Among the Myrtle Trees – Zechariah 1:7-17

During the night Zechariah had a vision or dream.  Among the myrtle trees He saw a man riding a red horse with others horses behind him.  Verse 11 identifies the man as the Angel of the Lord.  In the Old Testament the Angel of the Lord is Jesus before His incarnation in Bethlehem.  Myrtle trees are small trees that can only grow about 30 tall.  They represent the lowly people, the Jews.  This vision of Jesus  and His angels in the middle of the oppressed people is given to encourage and to show His powerful presence with them even in trials.

God was jealous for Jerusalem and used the pagan nations to bring judgment on His sinning people. He showed compassion for Israel and brought them back after 70 years in exile.  Now He promises them His house would be rebuilt, the towns would be prosperous, and He would bring comfort to them.

Principle:  God encourages us with His powerful presence.

Vision 2 – The Four Horns  & Craftsmen – Zechariah 1:18-21

Zechariah looked up and saw before him 4 horns.  These horns were the nations that destroyed and scattered the people of Israel.  God allowed these nations to punish them because they had done wrong things.  God still cared for them and showed Zechariah that He had a plan to destroy those nations and He would save His people.

The craftsmen that Zechariah saw are those that God will send to judge the nations that scattered His people.  He will destroy their enemies.

Hearing that God cares for Israel and has future plans for them would have certainly encouraged them.

Psalm 121 tells us that our help comes from the Lord.  He never slumbers or sleeps.  He is our shade in the sun.  He will keep us from all harm and watch over our life both now and forever.

Principles:

God’s people should expect hardships and opposition, because we live in an evil world.

God uses opposition to draw all people to Him.

God allows opposition to teach us we can’t prevail in our own strength.

God is the strong defender of His people and will punish the wicked in His time.

Vision 3 – The Man Measuring Jerusalem – Zechariah 2

This chapter is a message of hope and encouragement for Israel, assuring them of God’s faithfulness and protective presence.  God promised His people would rebuild Jerusalem.  Zechariah saw a man with a measuring line measuring Jerusalem.  Then an angel came to him and said there was no need to measure because it would not need walls.  The Lord Himself will be its wall with a protective “wall of fire” around it and He will be the glory within it.  This refers to the 2^nd coming of Jesus and the New Jerusalem, which will have no need for sun or moon.  His glory will be its light.

Specific promises regarding Judah and Jerusalem:

Zech. 2:4 – Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it.

Zech. 2:5a – Jesus will be a wall of fire around it.

Zech. 2:5b, 10, 11b – Jesus will be its glory within, He will live among you, you will know the Lord Almighty has sent Jesus to you.

Zech. 2:11a – Many nations will be joined with the Lord and become His people.

These promises are encouraging, because God is faithful and He keeps promises.  All His promises will be fulfilled and He will be with us forever.

God’s promises are for all mankind, because He has come for all those who believe in Him. We are to be still and be in awe of Him and know that He is God. (Zech. 2:13; Ps. 46:10; Hab. 2:20).

Principle:  God’s presence is our protection.

Vision 4 – Joshua and the Branch – Zechariah 3

Zechariah had a vision of Joshua representing Israel standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan.  Joshua or Israel had filthy garments representing the sins of the people.  Satan is accusing him, but the Angel of the Lord rebuked Satan.  Joshua is encouraged by being cleansed symbolizing the removal of sin and is then clothed in a clean robe signifying righteousness and restoration.

When a person comes to Christ, his filthy clothes of sin are removed and he puts on clean garments making him righteous.  He accepts Jesus as his Savoir and his sins are forgiven; he is saved.  He puts on a new self; the old self is gone. (Eph. 4:24).

Zechariah 3:3-8 points to Jesus as the branch, the future Messiah.  Being cleansed and clothed in new garments is done by the work of Jesus’s atoning work on the cross and His victory over sin and Satan.

Principle:  God forgives our sins, removes our shame, redefines us, and clothes us in righteousness through Jesus Christ.

If God has not rescued you from your sins, you must allow Him to cleanse you by His grace through Christ.  If He has rescued you, it is so you can now serve Him as you walk in His ways.

Vision 5 – Lampstand and Olive Trees – Zechariah 4

Zechariah had another dream or vision.  The 5^th encourages the high priest Zerubbabel telling him the temple that he had started will be completed and the Jews will become a light to all nations.  Zechariah saw a gold lampstand with 7 lamps and a bowl at the top filled with oil.  Beside it was 2 olive trees, each with a branch extended to the bowl that poured oil  from the tree.  The oil that continually flows symbolizes the Holy spirit.  The 2 branches are Joshua and Zerubbabel.  Together they are a type of Jesus as He is Priest and King.

To Zerubbabel the rebuilding of the temple seemed like a great mountain.  He was encouraged when told it would not be built by human strength or political power, but by the Spirit of God Himself.

This is encouraging to us to know that when we feel weak and overwhelmed, we can take our strength from His power, His might, and the Spirit of God Himself.

Principle:  It’s by God grace that we accomplish His purposes in the world.

Key Verse:  “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” – Zech. 4:6

Next week we will continue our study in Zechariah.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

Resources:

Bible.org

Easyenglish.bible

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If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.