[:en]SCRIPTURE: ZECHARIAH 1
INTRODUCTION:
Zechariah means “God remembers”. He ministered with Haggai as they encouraged the Jews to rebuild the temple. God gave Zechariah 8 visions concerning Jerusalem and the Jews (Chapter 1-6) and two oracles about the nation’s future (Chapter 8-14). “Jerusalem” was name 40 times in this book.. God said: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal”.
Zechariah challenged the people to look ahead and work by comforting them that God had a long range plan for Israel. His called on the people to obey God by acting fairly and mercifully to one another. He also foretold the coming the the Messiah, the last judgment and the long range growth of the final Kingdom.
“ Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 1:2)
“Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 1:16)
A CALL TO RETURN TO THE LORD (vs. 1-6)
The Lord was angry with the previous generation. Their sins brought about the ruin of the nation. But the next generation also committed the same sins. So God was calling them to repent and return to Him.
THE MAN AMONG THE MYRTLE TREES (vs. 7-17)
God showed a vision with an angel standing among the myrtle tree looking at the whole world in peace but Israel was in captivity for 70 years. Then the angel said: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion. I will return Jerusalem with mercy and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out on Jerusalem. My house will again overflow with prosperity. The Lord will again comfort Zion and the chosen Jerusalem (vs. 16-17)
4 HORNS AND 4 CRAFTSMEN (vs. 18-21)
Horns are symbol of powers. The 4 horns are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem. The 4 craftsmen came to terrify and throw down those horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.
While the remnant were working on the temple, God’s promise of mercy had encouraged them, to continue its work.
RELECTION:
Do you feel down and discouraged? Claim God’s promise of mercy and help. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess from God whose promise is faithful” (Hebrew 10:23)
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