Zechariah Lesson Two

WELCOME!


Welcome to Bible study online! Zechariah is a terrific book to study, especially as we see the Day of the LORD approaching. I like to think of it as the “Apocalypse of the Old Testament”, because it contains so many parallels with the New Testament book of Revelation. There are plenty of Scriptures to look up, so grab your Bible, and thanks for joining us!

ZECHARIAH'S LONG, LONG NIGHT

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Without a vision, the people perish.”

The Hebrew word for "Perish” in this verse is “Para,” and it means “to let something slip through the fingers by ignoring an opportunity; to be undisciplined.”

The historical context of the book of Zechariah is the return and resettlement of 50,000 Jews to the Land of Promise—Israel. This in itself is a great lesson to us, particularly those who live in places of comparative wealth and comfort. At that time, Babylon was the most magnificent city the world had ever seen. Herodotus described the city as being a square 15 miles on each side surrounded by a wall 100 feet high upon which 6 chariots could drive abreast and boasting 250 towers. The city had 25 avenues 150 feet wide running north/south and another 25 avenues running east/west. The Euphrates River ran diagonally through the city dividing it in half. At the ends of the river were two magnificent palaces connected by underground passageways containing sumptuous banquet halls made entirely of brass. The Tower of Bel was a series of 8 towers, each 75 feet high with a chapel on top containing the most expensive furniture of any worship place in the world. In addition, Babylon contained the famous hanging gardens, a fabulous series of raised terraces on which were planted exotic trees and plants for the enjoyment of Nebuchadnezzar’s wife. The Jews who had been carried captive to Babylon 70 years earlier had flourished in the city and some had risen to power. To leave such a place was to leave the crown jewel of the world. And for what had they left Babylon? The city they returned to was a heap of rubble. The temple was destroyed and the land had largely run wild in their absence.

But in leaving Babylon, we see that the people have done exactly as their father Abraham did so many generations before (Genesis 12:1-5). God called Abram to leave Ur of the Chaldeas—in the region of Babylon—to go to a land that He would show him. Abram left his position of leadership for his family and the security of home to travel to an unknown place, which was ultimately the Promised Land of Israel. Now, his descendants have done the same thing. They are to be commended for following the call of God. Those of us who claim to follow and love the God of Abraham Who has revealed Himself to us in Christ would do well to do the same. Indeed, John writing from Patmos in Revelation 18:4 says, “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her (Babylon), my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’” Babylon, though a literal city, is the picture of “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life” which are our sworn enemies. (Incidentally, Saddam Hussein began rebuilding the ancient city of Babylon for his own glory, and the new government of Iraq is moving to continue this effort. They envision a great cultural and tourist center, and feel secure enough to begin the work. President Obama has pledged $700,000 from the US government toward this effort.)

Why then does Zechariah 1:1-6 issue a call to repentance to the people? It seems that, although they obeyed initially in returning to the land and in building an altar for worship and in beginning to rebuild the temple, they became discouraged by opposition and their hearts abandoned God as they got busy with “life.” They had returned physically to the land, but their hearts had not returned fully to God.

QUESTION: Do we ever have “emotional” experiences where for a relatively short time we begin to obey the Lord, but then when it is difficult or inconvenient or life gets hectic, we slip back into self-absorbed ways? Yesterday has passed--what is our testimony Today?

We also see from this passage that God is eager to return to His people. He wants a relationship with His people more than anything. How true this is still today, but are we willing to “get out of Babylon” and wait on God until He returns to us in power? Life is meant to be a pursuit of God, not a series of pursuits that distract us from finding Life in Him. “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

He asks, “where are your fathers?” What a question! Where are their fathers? Buried in Babylon—definitely not where a Jew would ever want to be buried. Genesis 49:29-30 records that Jacob instructed his sons not bury him in Egypt, but to carry him back to Canaan for burial, and this they did. They also carried the bones of Joseph back to Canaan when they left slavery in Egypt.

OBSERVATION: We will die and be buried in the place (or condition) in which we have lived. Revelation 14:13 says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!” Have we lived in the Lord? Then we will be blessed when we die in the Lord. Pursue holiness as a lifestyle.


The people started out wonderfully, but they have lost their zeal. Without a vision, they are perishing and something precious is about to slip away. Then…the Word of the LORD came to Zechariah. In one amazing night, he is given a series of fantastic and encouraging visions to deliver to Israel laying out the future plans of redemption through them.


FIRST VISION: MAN UNDER A MYRTLE TREE WITH HORSES
ZECHARIAH 1:7-17


The myrtle tree is an evergreen common to Israel and symbolizes Israel in this vision. Incidentally, the Hebrew name for myrtle is Hadassah—Esther. Many believe the Man on the red horse to be a preincarnate figure of Jesus. Underneath the myrtle tree are horses, red, sorrel, and white, which have been patrolling the earth. Horses of the same description can be seen in Revelation and I believe they correlate with this vision. In Revelation 6:3-4, the red horse symbolizes war and bloodshed. In Revelation 6:7-8, the sorrel horse is death by war, famine, and wild animals. In Revelation 6:1-2, the white horse is ridden by a conqueror. These horses, which I consider to be spiritual forces, have been given the job of patrolling the earth. Job 1:6-7 tells us, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.’” In other words, he has been patrolling the earth, not for any godly purpose, but for his own. (Side Note: God does not ask this question for His own information; rather, He makes us say for ourselves what we have been doing.) We see another example of spiritual forces, both good and evil, patrolling and controlling the earth in Daniel 10:10-14.

Zechariah is told in his vision that these forces have been sent out by God. Now many people have difficulty imagining that God sends out forces of war, bloodshed, famine, etc. but there are numerous passages in the Bible that plainly say that He does. (Genesis 7:23; Exodus 4:11; Exodus 12:29-30; Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Judges; II Samuel 12:16-18; II Samuel 21:1; II Samuel 24:15-16; Isaiah 45:7; I Corinthians 11:28-32) We are so fallen that we have a hard time seeing that the things we consider good tend to lead us away from God and the things we consider bad tend to bring us back to Him. Once sin entered the world, pleasant things could not be counted on to lead us to God. The nation of Israel proved this point over and over because whenever things went well and they had plenty of good things and rest from their enemies, they inevitably fell away from God. When God sent their enemies against them bringing war, death, famine, and general misery, they would repent—after a fashion. Do not think that God loves us too much to punish us. The love of God is a beautiful and terrifying thing because it compels Him to purify us until we are as holy as He is—and He won’t stop until it happens.


These forces have gone throughout the world—a world that has habitually hated the people of God and destroyed His temple, His city, and carried His people away as captives. What have the patrolling forces discovered? The earth is at rest. There is no war and it appears that the nations are going to get away with hating God through His people. This distressing state of affairs causes the Angel of the LORD to ask, “How long?” This same question is echoed in Revelation 6:9-11 when the martyrs ask, “How long before You avenge our blood?”


The LORD responds that He is very jealous (zealous) for Israel. These are reassuring and comforting words. The Hebrew word for jealous (zealous) is "Qanah" and it means an emotion so strong it makes the face red. Psalm 69:9 says “Zeal for your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.” God is watching over Israel with the same zeal that Jesus had when He cleared the Temple. God has used the nations to discipline Israel, but the problem is that the nations enjoyed their role. They took pleasure in destroying Israel.

QUESTION: Do we ever take pleasure in the misfortunes of others because it occasions a feeling of superiority in ourselves?


God declares that He has returned to Jerusalem. He left years ago and His departure is recorded in Ezekiel chapters 9 – 11 and what a woeful passage this is as we realize the sorrow of God that drove Him from His Temple and the city of Jerusalem. He left in judgment but He has returned in mercy. A surveyor’s line is the proof of His intentions. A survey is done when one prepares to buy or build on real estate. He is ready to rebuild the city. Verse 17 tells us that He will again choose Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for “choose” is “bachar” and it means “to prove, try, to be especially chosen; something acceptable or judged to be excellent after it has been tested.” The people have been tested in the fire of Babylon and they have chosen to return to the LORD—but only a remnant. Not everyone who is called is chosen.


For those who want to be chosen, this vision is encouraging. The real question is this: Knowing that the love of God will compel Him to perfect us by whatever means is necessary, do we want to be chosen? Do we want to be tried and proven? Are we willing to leave Babylon? Will we trade the “good things” of life to be tested, tried, proven, and finally chosen?

The next lesson is scheduled to post in one week. Thanks for following along!