2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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WHAT IS ZECHARIAH ALL ABOUT?
SEP 24
Zechariah 1
Memorise Zechariah 1:3 "Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you"
The prophet Zechariah prophesied at the same time as the prophet Haggai, and generally addressed the same problems and issues that they were facing then. Both of them preached in order to rouse the people from their indifference and challenge them to resume the building of the temple. However, whilst Haggai directly addressed the problem head on, and commanded the people to consider their ways and serve God, Zechariah’s message took a different approach. He did begin his writings with a simple call for them to repent and turn to the Lord, and a warning for them not to be as their fathers who refused to listen to God’s commands. But from there, he moved on to a series of visions which he received from the Lord.
Collectively these visions were all aimed at encouraging the people in the situation that they were facing. Some of the visions would describe the present or the near future, such as the first vision of the man upon the house amongst the myrtle trees (1:8). This describes the angel of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Christ who was going through the nations and finding them presently at rest in peace, whilst Israel was still lying in ruins, as "myrtle trees that were in the bottom (hollow)" (Zechariah 1:11). Thus the assurance to them was that "I am jealous for Jerusalem with a great jealousy" (Zechariah 1:14), and "sore displeased with the heathen" (Zechariah 1:15). Therefore the Lord promises to return to Jerusalem with mercies, and will build up the house of the Lord, that His cities shall prosper and the Lord shall comfort Jerusalem once again. Likewise the vision of the 4 horns and 4 carpenters (Zechariah 1:18-21) describes the fact that God will deliver Judah and Israel by destroying the horns (Gentile nations) that scattered them.
Further visions through the book will look further into the future as prosperity and purification of Judah and Jerusalem is promised, all which culminates in the coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Of all the Minor prophets, the book of Zechariah is one of the longest (second only to Hosea), and contains the most apocalyptic and messianic material. The visions may be difficult to interpret, but do have amazing prophecies with regards to both the first and second coming of Christ. We would do well to study this book carefully to unearth the wonderful gems therein!
Thought: A picture (vision) is worth a thousand words.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the wisdom to understand Your word, especially the parts that are more obscure and difficult.
Posted in Teens RPG
Zechariah 1
Memorise Zechariah 1:3 "Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you"
The prophet Zechariah prophesied at the same time as the prophet Haggai, and generally addressed the same problems and issues that they were facing then. Both of them preached in order to rouse the people from their indifference and challenge them to resume the building of the temple. However, whilst Haggai directly addressed the problem head on, and commanded the people to consider their ways and serve God, Zechariah’s message took a different approach. He did begin his writings with a simple call for them to repent and turn to the Lord, and a warning for them not to be as their fathers who refused to listen to God’s commands. But from there, he moved on to a series of visions which he received from the Lord.
Collectively these visions were all aimed at encouraging the people in the situation that they were facing. Some of the visions would describe the present or the near future, such as the first vision of the man upon the house amongst the myrtle trees (1:8). This describes the angel of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Christ who was going through the nations and finding them presently at rest in peace, whilst Israel was still lying in ruins, as "myrtle trees that were in the bottom (hollow)" (Zechariah 1:11). Thus the assurance to them was that "I am jealous for Jerusalem with a great jealousy" (Zechariah 1:14), and "sore displeased with the heathen" (Zechariah 1:15). Therefore the Lord promises to return to Jerusalem with mercies, and will build up the house of the Lord, that His cities shall prosper and the Lord shall comfort Jerusalem once again. Likewise the vision of the 4 horns and 4 carpenters (Zechariah 1:18-21) describes the fact that God will deliver Judah and Israel by destroying the horns (Gentile nations) that scattered them.
Further visions through the book will look further into the future as prosperity and purification of Judah and Jerusalem is promised, all which culminates in the coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Of all the Minor prophets, the book of Zechariah is one of the longest (second only to Hosea), and contains the most apocalyptic and messianic material. The visions may be difficult to interpret, but do have amazing prophecies with regards to both the first and second coming of Christ. We would do well to study this book carefully to unearth the wonderful gems therein!
Thought: A picture (vision) is worth a thousand words.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the wisdom to understand Your word, especially the parts that are more obscure and difficult.
Posted in Teens RPG