Zechariah 1

1B. MESSAGES AFTER Besides encouragement and hope, Zechariah’s messages were also a warning thatCOMPLETING THE TEMPLE God's messianic Kingdom would not begin as soon as the Temple was complete.(9:1—14:21) israel’s enemies would be judged and the King would come, but God’s people wouldthemselves face many difficult circumstances before experiencing the blessing of themessianic Kingdom. We, too, may face much sorrow, disappointment, and distressbefore coming into Christ's eternal Kingdom.EXPLANATIONGod was angry at his people for ignoring hisprophets through the years, and he was concernedthat they not follow the careless and false leaderswho exploited them. Disobedience was the root oftheir problems and the cause of their misery. Godwas jealous for their devotion to him.The Jews were discouraged. They were free fromexile, yet the Temple was not completed. Zechariahencouraged them to rebuild it. God would bothprotect his workmen and empower them by hisHoly Spirit to carry out his work.The Messiah will come both to rescue people fromsin and to reign as King. He will establish his King-dom, conquer all his enemies, and rule over all theearth. Everything will one day be under his lovingand powerful control.There was opposition to God’s plan in Zechariah’sday, and he prophesied future times of trouble.But God’s Word endures. God remembers thecovenants he makes with his people. He cares forhis people and will deliver them from all the worldpowers that oppress them.

A. MESSAGES WHILE REBUILDING THE TEMPLE (1:1—8:23)

Zechariah begins by describing eight visions that came to him at night. Then he gives a collection of messages about the crowning of Jeshua, answers to questions of feasting and fasting, and encouragement to continue rebuilding the Temple. We, too, can be inspired to continue following God in faithfulness throughout our life. 1. Zechariah’s night visions

A Call to Return to the LORD

In November* of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the LORD gave this message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo: 2“, the LORD, was very angry with your ancestors. 3Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.’ 4Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’ 4:1 Hebrew in the eighth month. A number of dates in Zechariah can be cross-checked with dates in surviving Persian records and related accurately to our modern calendar. This month of the ancient Hebrew tunar calendar occurred within the months of October and November 520 B.c 5“ Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. 6But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. Asa result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’” A Man among the Myrtle Trees 7Three months later, on February 15,* the LORD sent another message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo. 8In a vision during the night, I saw a man sitting on a red horse that was standing among some myrtle trees ina small valley. Behind him were riders on red, brown, and white horses. 9I asked the angel who was talking with me, “My lord, what do these horses mean?” “T will show you,” the angel replied. 10The rider standing among the myrtle trees then explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent out to patrol the earth.” 11Then the other riders reported to the angel of the LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have been patrolling the earth, and the whole earth is at peace.” 12Upon hearing this, the angel of the LORD prayed this prayer: “O LORD of Heaven's Armies, for seventy years now you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. How long until you again show mercy to them?” ‘And the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. 14Then the angel said to me, “Shout this message for all to hear: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong. But] am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions. 16“Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.*’ 17"Say this also: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.””

Four Horns and Four Blacksmiths

18*Then I looked up and saw four animal horns. 1 What are these?” I asked the angel who was talking with me. He replied, “These horns represent the nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20Then the LORD showed me four blacksmiths. 21“What are these men coming to do?” Iasked. The angel replied,” These four horns—these nations—scattered and humbled Judah. Now these blacksmiths have come to terrify those nations and throw them down and destroy them.”