Zechariah 1 – 7
Verse 1:16 opens with God returning to the people:
Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.
First this implies that He actually went somewhere, which is impossible. Now He may not have revealed himself to the people of Israel during a period of time, but by His nature He is always around. His outrage this time appears to be directed more at the people who have invaded their land and less at them. Either way, it’s time to rebuild the temple.
Some historical references are necessary since many of the events seem similar to the chapter before, Haggai. Haggai was used to get things started while Zechariah was used to keep things going. Where Haggai just kicked some butt and moved on, Zechariah needed to keep the people motivated. I say this because you will notice the same cast of characters in this story including Zerubbabel. I tend to focus on this king since I heard a television sermon, years ago, about Zerubbabel rebuilding the temple. When I followed up in scripture I could not find the wording used in the lesion and still have not to this day (three versions, hoping ESV is close).
I focus on it since the preacher made a great point, but he appears to have modified the scriptures to fit his message. It was disconcerting to know a man who is followed by so many had to do that. So I search for Zerubbabel saying “rebuild again” in the scriptures. Ironically I have no idea what the sermon was about anymore, it’s been so long, just the scripture.
Verse 2:11 is part of the first vision Zechariah had:
And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
Read Zechariah with two filters on, one looking at the historical period and how he was focusing on the present. The other is looking at the future and creating the temple for the Messiah. The more you read, the more you understand why the Pharisees had the image of Jesus being a mighty warrior. They expected the Messiah to be much grander than who they got in Jesus. Like today if Jesus came in jeans and a tee, most of the “church” leaders would reject Him because He was not on a chariot coming from the heavens on a cloud.
In this verse you will see God appears to be opening the “narrow path” for “many nations” and not just the Israelites. In looking at what Jesus did, we see how significant this vision is when applied to his time here on earth. As you read the visions you will see the all seem to repeat in Paul’s Revelation. We have seen them from time to time come up in other visions. I find it interesting how God uses this imagery and wonder if it would remain the same today or if it would be like Rommel riding a panzer tank.
Verses 7:9 -10 remind the people how they should be living their lives:
9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another, 10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
We need to watch ourselves today when getting into this poverty battle. I know the “entitlement” system we have today is being done wrong and only rewards those in need. But we should not do away with it because the system is faulty, rather we should look at becoming more active in improving the world we live in so poverty can be a minor issue. I think part of the reason the government “had” to step in was the “church” after decades of battering by the forces of evil could no longer care for the numbers.
I don’t know if this is right or not, but the turn of the century seems to be when things changed. We became “industrialized” and lost our communities to the factory. Only one need was being filled and all others were transported into the town. People lost contact and then the information revolution happened where you see people at dinner all “talking” to others on their “smart phones” never engaged with the person across the table.
Where “community” worked with the poor, the widows, the orphans and “sojourners” now we are so disconnect for everyone that the needs are not seen and often ignored. We “pray” for them to find help and salvation when what they really need is US (and not the United States, but the man in the mirror) to make them a sandwich and devote time to them. We need to learn to use the system in place to better humanity and not oppress it!!