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And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is coming and it will be brought about, declares the LORD GOD. That is the day of which I have spoken.  – Ezekiel 39:7-8

The visions in the second half of Zechariah bear a certain timelessness that makes them difficult to apply.  No longer are we dealing with temporal concerns of temple-building or fast-keeping.  Instead, past, present and future are woven throughout each other in what, at times, can feel like a confusing pattern.

Today’s opening is clear enough: the burden of the word of the LORD is against a variety of nations: Hadrach and Aram, Tyre and Sidon, and the tribes of the Philistines.  For Jerusalem’s king is coming to her, who has bent Judah as His bow, and has made Ephraim His arrow, and His reign shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

This promise to restore and protect Judah and Israel carries through chapter 10, but in chapter 11 comes an interesting command: “Thus said the LORD my God, “Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter…”  What follow might be difficult to trace: either Zechariah is speaking and living out a part, or someone else is doing the same, or the entire vision is a metaphor with no specific character attachments.  It seems this could be a representation of Israel’s history to date, but this is inconclusive. 

My encouragement, as elsewhere, is to read for broader implications and allow details to settle in through repeating readings.  You’re allowed to be discerning while humble, recognizing that the meaning of these oracles may have been evident to the original hearers, or may have been just as cryptic to them as it isb to us. 

Our verse for this week is Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Zechariah 9 through 11.  Now let’s read it!

And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is coming and it will be brought about, declares the LORD GOD. That is the day of which I have spoken.  – Ezekiel 39:7-8

The visions in the second half of Zechariah bear a certain timelessness that makes them difficult to apply.  No longer are we dealing with temporal concerns of temple-building or fast-keeping.  Instead, past, present and future are woven throughout each other in what, at times, can feel like a confusing pattern.

Today’s opening is clear enough: the burden of the word of the LORD is against a variety of nations: Hadrach and Aram, Tyre and Sidon, and the tribes of the Philistines.  For Jerusalem’s king is coming to her, who has bent Judah as His bow, and has made Ephraim His arrow, and His reign shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

This promise to restore and protect Judah and Israel carries through chapter 10, but in chapter 11 comes an interesting command: “Thus said the LORD my God, “Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter…”  What follow might be difficult to trace: either Zechariah is speaking and living out a part, or someone else is doing the same, or the entire vision is a metaphor with no specific character attachments.  It seems this could be a representation of Israel’s history to date, but this is inconclusive. 

My encouragement, as elsewhere, is to read for broader implications and allow details to settle in through repeating readings.  You’re allowed to be discerning while humble, recognizing that the meaning of these oracles may have been evident to the original hearers, or may have been just as cryptic to them as it isb to us. 

Our verse for this week is Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Zechariah 9 through 11.  Now let’s read it!

The visions of chapters 5 and 6 regard the containment of sin and the distribution of God’s government throughout the earth. Joshua is crowned priest-king who shall build the temple of the LORD and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne.  If it helps, try to avoid the temptation to plumb the depths of meaning of each symbol, and instead attend to the broader implications that Zechariah is witnessing. 

In chapters 7 and 8 the LORD answers a question of the people of Bethel: “Should we weep and abstain in the fifth month as [we] have done for so many years?”  The LORD’s initial response is another question: “Was it for Me you fasted?  And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?”  He reminds them of what He commanded Isaiah 200 years ago, that what He demands is that His people “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another…” 

This goes deeper in the next chapter, when the LORD presents a picture of what Jerusalem could look like, an image that is more peace-filled than we have seen.  Listen to the variety of details that denote tranquility – from the way people will sow and reap peace, to the varieties of security that will exist, to the calm and safety of the streets themselves.  No longer will Jerusalem be a byword of cursing among the nations, for “Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"

Our verse for this week is Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Zechariah 5 through 8.  Now let’s read it!

The visions of chapters 5 and 6 regard the containment of sin and the distribution of God’s government throughout the earth. Joshua is crowned priest-king who shall build the temple of the LORD and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne.  If it helps, try to avoid the temptation to plumb the depths of meaning of each symbol, and instead attend to the broader implications that Zechariah is witnessing. 

In chapters 7 and 8 the LORD answers a question of the people of Bethel: “Should we weep and abstain in the fifth month as [we] have done for so many years?”  The LORD’s initial response is another question: “Was it for Me you fasted?  And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?”  He reminds them of what He commanded Isaiah 200 years ago, that what He demands is that His people “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another…” 

This goes deeper in the next chapter, when the LORD presents a picture of what Jerusalem could look like, an image that is more peace-filled than we have seen.  Listen to the variety of details that denote tranquility – from the way people will sow and reap peace, to the varieties of security that will exist, to the calm and safety of the streets themselves.  No longer will Jerusalem be a byword of cursing among the nations, for “Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"

Our verse for this week is Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Zechariah 5 through 8.  Now let’s read it!

Around 520 B.C.

We were introduced to Zechariah in the book of Ezra, as he and Haggai had encouraged Zerubbabel and the rebuilders of the temple in Jerusalem.  But whereas Haggai’s pronouncements were practical and direct, Zechariah’s are anything but. 

This book resembles much of Ezekiel and Daniel, full of visions that serve as symbols and metaphors and lenses through which to view the past and future.  But it begins with the LORD’s charge for Israel to act differently than their fathers had.  He reminds them of the power of His words and His statutes, which overtook – outlived – their fathers.  Only after being overcome did they acknowledge “As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.”

Keep this history in mind as Zechariah encounters an angel, myrtle trees, and a man riding a red horse… four horns, four craftsmen, and a man with a measuring line in his hand… and a new Jerusalem, filled with people from the nations, with a wall of fire around her.  He witnesses the battle being fought over Joshua the High Priest, and receives a word for Zerubbabel, before whom a great mountain shall become a plain.  This is the LORD’s promise: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.”

Our verse for this week is Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Zechariah 1 through 4.  Now let’s read it!

Around 520 B.C.

We were introduced to Zechariah in the book of Ezra, as he and Haggai had encouraged Zerubbabel and the rebuilders of the temple in Jerusalem.  But whereas Haggai’s pronouncements were practical and direct, Zechariah’s are anything but. 

This book resembles much of Ezekiel and Daniel, full of visions that serve as symbols and metaphors and lenses through which to view the past and future.  But it begins with the LORD’s charge for Israel to act differently than their fathers had.  He reminds them of the power of His words and His statutes, which overtook – outlived – their fathers.  Only after being overcome did they acknowledge “As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.”

Keep this history in mind as Zechariah encounters an angel, myrtle trees, and a man riding a red horse… four horns, four craftsmen, and a man with a measuring line in his hand… and a new Jerusalem, filled with people from the nations, with a wall of fire around her.  He witnesses the battle being fought over Joshua the High Priest, and receives a word for Zerubbabel, before whom a great mountain shall become a plain.  This is the LORD’s promise: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.”

Our verse for this week is Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Zechariah 1 through 4.  Now let’s read it!