Zechariah 1: A Call to Return and a Vision of Restoration
In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Zechariah 1 provides a powerful message of hope and restoration to a people who were struggling to rebuild their lives and their temple after years of captivity. The prophet's words, delivered in the second year of Darius, king of Persia, serve as both a reminder of past failures and a promise of future blessings, urging God's people to turn back to Him and trust in His unwavering faithfulness. This chapter lays the foundation for the visions that follow, offering a glimpse into God's active involvement in the affairs of humanity and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people.
A Word from the True King (Zechariah 1:1-3)
Zechariah 1:1 reminds us that the word of the LORD came to the prophet. In times of despair and uncertainty, nothing is more vital than hearing from God. His word carries His presence, His power, and His promise of deliverance. The message begins with a sobering reflection on the past. In Zechariah 1:2-3, the Lord reminds the people that their current predicament is a consequence of their ancestors' rebellion and idolatry. God was extremely angry with their ancestors. Their disobedience led to exile and hardship. However, the message is not one of despair, but of hope. God extends an invitation: Return to me... and I will return to you. This invitation transcends time, resonating even today. When we respond to God in repentance and faith, we can be confident that He will demonstrate His power and grace on our behalf.
Learning from the Past (Zechariah 1:4-6)
Zechariah 1:4-6 urges the people to learn from the mistakes of their forefathers. God had patiently warned them through His prophets to turn from their evil ways, but they refused to listen. The consequences were severe. God asks a poignant question: Where are your ancestors now?. They are gone, and their fate serves as a stark reminder that defying God has lasting repercussions. As Isaiah_40:7-8 reminds us, "People are grass. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever." The people to whom Zechariah preached, unlike their ancestors, heeded the warning and repented of their sins. This act of kingdom repentance is the crucial first step towards aligning oneself with God's agenda.
Kingdom Visions: God is at Work (Zechariah 1:7-11)
Three months after the initial message, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah again, this time in the form of a series of eight visions. The first vision, described in Zechariah 1:7-9, depicts a man riding on a chestnut horse, standing among myrtle trees in a ravine, with other horses behind him. An angel promises to explain the meaning of the vision. This vision offers a glimpse into the unseen spiritual realm that actively influences the physical world. It's a powerful reminder that even when we perceive nothing happening, God is always at work behind the scenes.
Zechariah 1:10-11 reveals that these riders are angels sent by the LORD to patrol the earth and report on its condition. While God, in His omniscience, does not require such reports, He has created angels to serve Him and assist humanity (see Hebrews_1:7, 13-14). The angels' duty to report to the Lord underscores the importance of accountability. If even angels must give an account of their service, how much more should followers of Jesus Christ be prepared to give an account of their service to the King and His kingdom?
Mercy for Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:12-17)
In Zechariah 1:12-13, the angel of the LORD intercedes on behalf of Jerusalem, asking how long the Lord will withhold mercy from the city He has been angry with for seventy years. The comforting words that follow indicate that the Lord's anger is complete, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah_29:10, which promised restoration after seventy years of Babylonian exile. This marks the end of exile and the beginning of a new chapter for God's people.
Zechariah 1:14-17 emphasizes God's intense love and jealousy for Jerusalem. While He was a little angry with them, the nations He used to punish them had exceeded their mandate and inflicted greater destruction. Therefore, God promises to rebuild His house. This promise encourages those working on the temple to persevere, knowing that God is with them. The Lord declares, "I have returned to Jerusalem." This can also be interpreted as "I will return to Jerusalem," pointing to the future coming of the Messiah to rule on His throne in the millennial kingdom. Zechariah is to proclaim that the cities of Judah will again overflow with prosperity and be recipients of God's mercy.
The Nations and God's Promise (Zechariah 1:18-21)
The second vision, described in Zechariah 1:18-21, features four horns and four craftsmen. The horns represent the nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. The craftsmen are the nations that will come to cut off the horns that attacked the land. This vision reinforces God's promise in Genesis_12:3: "I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt." The nations that oppressed God's people will face His judgment.
Zechariah 1 offers a powerful message of hope and encouragement, reminding us that God is always at work, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. It calls us to learn from the past, repent of our sins, and trust in God's unwavering faithfulness. The visions in this chapter provide a glimpse into the spiritual realm and reassure us that God is in control, working to restore His people and fulfill His promises.
In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Zechariah 1 provides a powerful message of hope and restoration to a people who were struggling to rebuild their lives and their temple after years of captivity. The prophet's words, delivered in the second year of Darius, king of Persia, serve as both a reminder of past failures and a promise of future blessings, urging God's people to turn back to Him and trust in His unwavering faithfulness. This chapter lays the foundation for the visions that follow, offering a glimpse into God's active involvement in the affairs of humanity and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people.
A Word from the True King (Zechariah 1:1-3)
Zechariah 1:1 reminds us that the word of the LORD came to the prophet. In times of despair and uncertainty, nothing is more vital than hearing from God. His word carries His presence, His power, and His promise of deliverance. The message begins with a sobering reflection on the past. In Zechariah 1:2-3, the Lord reminds the people that their current predicament is a consequence of their ancestors' rebellion and idolatry. God was extremely angry with their ancestors. Their disobedience led to exile and hardship. However, the message is not one of despair, but of hope. God extends an invitation: Return to me... and I will return to you. This invitation transcends time, resonating even today. When we respond to God in repentance and faith, we can be confident that He will demonstrate His power and grace on our behalf.
Learning from the Past (Zechariah 1:4-6)
Zechariah 1:4-6 urges the people to learn from the mistakes of their forefathers. God had patiently warned them through His prophets to turn from their evil ways, but they refused to listen. The consequences were severe. God asks a poignant question: Where are your ancestors now?. They are gone, and their fate serves as a stark reminder that defying God has lasting repercussions. As Isaiah_40:7-8 reminds us, "People are grass. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever." The people to whom Zechariah preached, unlike their ancestors, heeded the warning and repented of their sins. This act of kingdom repentance is the crucial first step towards aligning oneself with God's agenda.
Kingdom Visions: God is at Work (Zechariah 1:7-11)
Three months after the initial message, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah again, this time in the form of a series of eight visions. The first vision, described in Zechariah 1:7-9, depicts a man riding on a chestnut horse, standing among myrtle trees in a ravine, with other horses behind him. An angel promises to explain the meaning of the vision. This vision offers a glimpse into the unseen spiritual realm that actively influences the physical world. It's a powerful reminder that even when we perceive nothing happening, God is always at work behind the scenes.
Zechariah 1:10-11 reveals that these riders are angels sent by the LORD to patrol the earth and report on its condition. While God, in His omniscience, does not require such reports, He has created angels to serve Him and assist humanity (see Hebrews_1:7, 13-14). The angels' duty to report to the Lord underscores the importance of accountability. If even angels must give an account of their service, how much more should followers of Jesus Christ be prepared to give an account of their service to the King and His kingdom?
Mercy for Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:12-17)
In Zechariah 1:12-13, the angel of the LORD intercedes on behalf of Jerusalem, asking how long the Lord will withhold mercy from the city He has been angry with for seventy years. The comforting words that follow indicate that the Lord's anger is complete, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah_29:10, which promised restoration after seventy years of Babylonian exile. This marks the end of exile and the beginning of a new chapter for God's people.
Zechariah 1:14-17 emphasizes God's intense love and jealousy for Jerusalem. While He was a little angry with them, the nations He used to punish them had exceeded their mandate and inflicted greater destruction. Therefore, God promises to rebuild His house. This promise encourages those working on the temple to persevere, knowing that God is with them. The Lord declares, "I have returned to Jerusalem." This can also be interpreted as "I will return to Jerusalem," pointing to the future coming of the Messiah to rule on His throne in the millennial kingdom. Zechariah is to proclaim that the cities of Judah will again overflow with prosperity and be recipients of God's mercy.
The Nations and God's Promise (Zechariah 1:18-21)
The second vision, described in Zechariah 1:18-21, features four horns and four craftsmen. The horns represent the nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. The craftsmen are the nations that will come to cut off the horns that attacked the land. This vision reinforces God's promise in Genesis_12:3: "I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt." The nations that oppressed God's people will face His judgment.
Zechariah 1 offers a powerful message of hope and encouragement, reminding us that God is always at work, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. It calls us to learn from the past, repent of our sins, and trust in God's unwavering faithfulness. The visions in this chapter provide a glimpse into the spiritual realm and reassure us that God is in control, working to restore His people and fulfill His promises.