Day 263—We are in the NINETH month of Bible reading, with more of Israel’s history and ZECHARIAH’S prophecy.

    Day 263 – Zechariah 1 – 4  (A call to repentance, and five visions)

According to Ezra 5:1 and 6:14, Zechariah and Haggai were prophets to the returned-from-exile Jews to begin (Haggai) and to finish (Zechariah) the rebuilding of the Temple.  Z. reminded them that this is where the Messiah would come, so build it!! Haggai was more scolding, whereas Z was more positive, reassuring them of future blessings. 

Zechariah 1.  Zechariah’s first words were of hope. “Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you.” Don’t be like your fathers who did not listen.  The people took this to heart and repented.

The “Horseman” was the first of five visions/dreams in this section and reassured the Jews of God’s purpose for their future. The man on the red horse is called “the angel of the LORD” and possibly is an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ.  Z. also sees three other horses, possibly referring to Revelation 6:1-8.  These patrol the earth, seeing the nations who had come against Israel, which angered the LORD. But He promises to return to Jerusalem with mercy. “My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.”

The “Horns and Craftsmen” vision is the second in the same night. The angel tells Z. that the four horns he sees are the nations God used to scatter Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.  The four craftsmen were come to terrify those nations and “cast them down.”

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Zechariah 2. The “Man with a Measuring Line” vision was next in that night of dreams. This vision is meant to comfort the returned exiles.  Not only is God measuring Jerusalem to rebuild it in their time, but also a greater Jerusalem in the time of the Messiah’s reign on earth.  And again, woes to the nations who dared to “touch Israel, the apple of His eye.”

And God’s promise of a glorious future time, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come, and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people.”

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Zechariah 3. The “Joshua as High Priest” vision is the fourth that night and speaks of Israel’s future role as a priestly nation.  Joshua, the high priest, is pictured standing before “the angel of the LORD” in filthy garments (much like the nation of Israel, sinful and unworthy). At his right is Satan, the Adversary, accusing him.  The LORD rebukes Satan, saying Joshua is chosen, a “brand plucked from the fire,” much like Jerusalem. 

Note: God Himself (the angel of the LORD) removes Joshua’s filthy garments and clothes him in pure robes and a priestly turban.  This is also a glorious picture of God’s actions for those who trust in His Son, Jesus the Messiah. Our filthy sin is removed, and Christ’s righteousness clothes us like a robe.

Then, speaking of Jesus, the Messiah, the “Branch,” God says, “I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.”

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Zechariah 4. The “Golden Lampstand”  vision is next.  It’s a huge menorah with a large golden “bowl” for oil, seven branches, and seven lips on each branch.  Behind it are two olive trees feeding oil constantly to the bowl and branches.  “What are these?” asked Z.  “Don’t you know?” asked the Angel.  “No, my, Lord,” said Z. 

And the LORD replies,  “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. What are you, O great mountain?  Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain.”   Here, the LORD, through Z., encourages Zerubbabel to finish the temple building.  And God will give an abundant supply of His Spirit to help. (Spirit is often represented by oil in the Bible.)  God says that, although this temple is smaller and less grand than the previous one, it represents the glorious restoration temple when the Messiah comes to reign. 

And then the LORD tells Z. who the olive trees represent (verse 14). They are the “anointed ones” representing the kingly and priestly offices in Israel, through which God’s blessing will flow. At the time, these were Zerubbabel (descendant of David) and Joshua (descendant of Eleazar).  Together, they foreshadow the Messiah, who is both king and priest, like Melchizedek.  (Psalm 110)

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(Three more dreams that night will follow tomorrow.)