Forge Church

Zechariah 9 shifts from prose to poetry. God Almighty is introduced, and those cities and people groups that have long plagued Israel come under judgment. The LORD has subcontracted judgment to fall on Syria, the Phoenecian cities, the Philistines, and Egypt, while that judgment bypasses Jerusalem. Then the LORD promises to lead Israel in battle.

Chapter 8 of Zechariah is the second part of a literary unit called an inclusion. Chapter 7 started with God's judgment and chapter 8 finishes the unit with promises and prophecies of good for Judah. The Lord promises to dwell in Jerusalem, and changes the name of the city to City of Faithfulness. He then promises that he will save His people from the east and the west, saving them, and bringing them to Jerusalem. The LORD of Hosts finally answers the fasting question from chapter 7, turning the weeping and fasting into joyous celebrations.

Zechariah and the priests in Jerusalem are asked about the fasts that the exiles in captivity were practicing. Immediately, the LORD of hosts prompts Zechariah regarding past prophetic encounters that the people of Judah had had regarding ritual religion. Then the LORD inserts his own list of how a fast before the LORD should look.

Zechariah has his 8th vision, this one of 4 chariots that personify the 4 spirits of heaven, rushing out from between two bronze mountains. The Angel of the Lord dispatches these chariots to patrol the earth. Zechariah has a direct word from the LORD of Hosts, to take an offering from newly arrived exiles, fashion an ornate crown from that silver and gold, and place that crown on Joshua, the Priest. This passage points directly to the roles filled by Messiah, and fulfilled in the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The Prophet, Zechariah, is urged again to lift his eyes, and there before him is a 30' X 15" scroll, written on both sides, hanging in mid-air. He asks the interpreting angel what it is, and is told that it is a curse on those who have stolen and who have sworn falsely in the Lord's name. These unrepentant sinners are to be purged from the land of Judah. He raises his eyes and there is a huge ephah coming, carrying a woman in the basket. The angel identifies that woman as wickedness. Then two female forms with wings like storks appear. They carry off the ephah into Shinar. The Lord is cleansing the land of Judah.

Zechariah is awakened from sleep by the interpreting angel and asked what he sees. Before him is a sold gold lamp stand that stands between two olive trees. He knows that olive trees are, as well as the lamp stand, but does not know what the vision means. Ultimately, what is pictured is two anointed men standing by the Lord of the whole earth. One is the High Priest, Joshua, and the second, is Zerubbabel, the Governor and builder of the Temple. The latter is a prince in the line of King David, who is serving the Persians as an administrator over the very lands and city that would have been his inheritance.

Zechariah is shown another vision by the Angel of the Lord, and he interacts with that vision, as Joshua, the high Priest is stripped of his filthy garments and clothed in radiant robes. Then the Lord Of Hosts says He will bring forth is Servant, The Branch, and The Stone. We get the first two, but the Stone remains uninterpreted. The kick is, iniquity will be swept away in a day.....a day that is coming soon.

Zechariah is introduced to a 4th vision, and the interpretation follows. The Angel of the Lord is about to be dispatched to deal with those Gentile Nations that over-stepped the parameters of the Lord who had sent them to judge Judah. Any nation that touches Judah touches the very pupil of God's eye. This Angel promises to be to Judah a wall of fire and to set His glory in the midst of the people. 9 prophetic words are included, that have not been fulfilled, yet.

Zechariah is confronted with three night visions that include a theophany of the Angel of God, a translator angel, a patrol of mounted angels, and the voice of God Almighty. He hears "within" that the LORD of Hosts is jealous for Judah, and angry at those who oppress and scatter his people. He promises prosperity is coming when the people of Judah turn back to Him.

Zechariah is a priest, called by the LORD of hosts to be a prophet to the returned exiles, back from captivity in Babylon. He delivers the word of the LORD to the people in Judah, calling on them to repent for their sins, and to renounce the sins of their forefathers. If Judah repents and returns to the LORD, the Lord promises to turn back to them.