The LORD Our God Reigns

12 And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

13 And on that day a great panic from the LORD shall fall on them, so that each will seize the hand of another, and the hand of the one will be raised against the hand of the other. 14 Even Judah will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be collected, gold, silver, and garments in great abundance. 15 And a plague like this plague shall fall on the horses, the mules, the camels, the donkeys, and whatever beasts may be in those camps.” – Zechariah 14:12-15 ESV

Verse 3 states, “The LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle” (Zechariah 14:3 ESV). Verse 12 picks up the description of this battle, providing graphic but difficult-to-understand details of the assault on Jerusalem and its outcome. This will be a literal battle between men and the heavenly forces led by the returned Messiah. It will involve weapons of conventional warfare but will also include supernatural displays of the Messiah’s power in the form of devastating plagues that melt the skin from men’s bones and cause their eyes and tongues to disintegrate. Some have conjectured that this is a description of the use of chemical or nuclear weapons, but the text attributes it to “the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples” (Zechariah 14:12 ESV).

This future battle will involve both human and heavenly forces, making it more than a contest between men. This epic conflict will pit the armies of this world, led by the Antichrist, against the forces of God Almighty under the leadership of His Son the Messiah. The prophet Ezekiel was given a vision of this future event, providing ample evidence that it will be a battle between the forces of good and evil. In his vision, Ezekiel records the words of God addressing a confederation of armies aligned against Jerusalem and His chosen people.

“After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them.You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you.” – Ezekiel 38:8-9 ESV

The people of Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Cush, and Put form an alliance and muster their armies under the leadership of Gog, the prince who rules over the nations. As so many others have attempted to do over the centuries, this coalition of nations will attempt to destroy the people of God and their holy city of Jerusalem.

“You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you.

“Thus says the Lord God: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,’to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations.” – Ezekiel 38:9-11 ESV

At this point in history, the Israelites will be living in peace and prosperity, having been gathered from the far corners of the world by the LORD. But Yahweh will sovereignly ordain this final assault by the enemies of Israel, ordering them to advance so that He might display His glory and vindicate His holiness through their destruction.

“On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know it? You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army.You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.” – Ezekiel 38:14-16 ESV

Using contemporary terminology that would resonate with people living in an ancient culture, Yahweh describes a conventional war featuring antiquated weaponry and soldiers fighting on horseback. But the weapons Yahweh brings to bear are anything but traditional or conventional.

“On that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field and all creeping things that creep on the ground, and all the people who are on the face of the earth, shall quake at my presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs shall fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Lord God. Every man's sword will be against his brother.With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur.” – Ezekiel 38:19-22 ESV

Yahweh provided Zechariah with further details of the divine and extraordinary battle plan He will use to defeat the enemy forces.

“And the Lord will send a plague on all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. Their people will become like walking corpses, their flesh rotting away. Their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.…This same plague will strike the horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and all the other animals in the enemy camps.” – Zechariah 14:12, 15 ESV

The outcome of this conflict will never be in question. The enemy forces will stand no chance against the Messiah and the Heavenly Host. But the apostle John provides further insight into the timing and devastating nature of this conflict, describing it as taking place at the end of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. After Messiah’s 1,000-year-long reign comes to an end, Satan will be released from hell where he will be confined duration of Christ’s earthly reign. God will allow him to wage one final rebellion.

And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. – Revelation 20:7-10 ESV

Satan will be defeated. The armies of this world will prove powerless against the God Almighty. The vain human attempt to thwart the will of God and supplant His right to rule over His creation will come to an abrupt and final end. God states that, because of this overwhelming victory, everyone will acknowledge Him as LORD.

“I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” – Ezekiel 38:23 ESV

As if to emphasize the certainty of the battle’s outcome, chapter 39 of Ezekiel contains a replay of God’s rousing victory over His enemies.

“I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand. You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. You shall fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Lord God. I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the Lord.” – Ezekiel 39:3-6 ESV

Centuries after Ezekiel penned these words, the apostle John wrote something eerily similar.

“Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.” – Revelation 19:17-19 ESV

From the days of Judah’s fall to the Babylonians in 586 B.C. and Jerusalem’s conquest by the Romans in 70 A.D., the people of God have endured wave after wave of conflict and subjugation at the hands of their enemies. Even today, Israel remains surrounded by those who seek their extermination. But God has plans for His people. He has made promises concerning their future that He is bound and determined to fulfill because He is the covenant-keeping God. The enemies remain and their Satan-inspired obsession with Israel’s destruction is little more than wishful thinking. They will never accomplish their objective. Satan will never prevent God from fulfilling His covenant promises and restoring His covenant people to their rightful place at His side in His eternal Kingdom.

The psalmist provides a rather sarcastic take on nations’ futile efforts to upend the plans of Yahweh. They are wasting their time. Their dream of throwing off the yoke of God’s rule will never come to pass. Satan’s quest to dethrone God Almighty and take His place was never going to happen. It is

Why are the nations so angry?
    Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
    the rulers plot together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.
“Let us break their chains,” they cry,
    “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
    The Lord scoffs at them.
Then in anger he rebukes them,
    terrifying them with his fierce fury.
For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
    in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” – Psalm 2:1-6 ESV

The day is coming when all mankind will learn that God alone is King and His Kingdom is unconquerable and everlasting. This irrefutable truth should leave Zechariah, the people of Judah, and the people of God of all ages shouting, “Praise the LORD! For the LORD our God, the Almighty, reigns” (Revelation 19:6 NLT) – yesterday, today, and forever.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Trust Me

1 Behold, a day is coming for the LORD, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. 5 And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

6 On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost. 7 And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light.

8 On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter.

9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.

10 The whole land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. But Jerusalem shall remain aloft on its site from the Gate of Benjamin to the place of the former gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses. 11 And it shall be inhabited, for there shall never again be a decree of utter destruction. Jerusalem shall dwell in security. – Zechariah 14:1-11 ESV

The events described in this closing chapter of Zechariah’s book must have thrilled and shocked the prophet as he heard them for the first time. He had no reference point for considering their timing or their staggering implications. As he stood among the other returned exiled and took in the sights of Jerusalem, it would have been difficult for him to imagine what he was hearing. The city was still in ruins, the Temple was only partially completed, and there were no walls to protect anyone who dared to reside in the former capital of Judah.

The reminders of Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians were everywhere. Zechariah could see the broken-down walls and the burned remnants of civic buildings, palaces, and private homes. Charred timbers protruded from the rubble like discarded matches. Plants and vines grew among the debris and the darkened windows of the abandoned buildings stared by like the lifeless eyes of a corpse. The entire city had been transformed into a dystopian landscape that bore little resemblance to the once-majestic city of David and the place where the wise and wealthy King Solomon reigned.

Zechariah has had to wrestle with God’s pronouncement of yet another siege of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2). But he has also heard that “the LORD will give salvation to the tents of Judah” and “destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:7 ESV). Yahweh has promised to “pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace” (Zechariah 12:10 ESV) and “to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness” (Zechariah 13:1 ESV). But the prophet must have found himself drowning in the flood of divine revelation as he tried to take it all in. His mind would have reeled with questions and concerns about the LORD’s timing and intentions for these events. What would prompt the Almighty to allow another siege of the city Zechariah was desperately trying to rebuild? Why would the LORD permit the enemies of Judah to gain the upper hand and seek their destruction again? Hadn’t He just promised to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness?

Christians living on this side of the cross are intimately familiar with the stories of Jesus’ birth, life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection. They can read these prophecies and recognize the thinly veiled references to Jesus. Hidden within the poetic and apocalyptic language are signs and symbols that portray the first and second advents of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world.

But Zechariah knew nothing of these things. He was ignorant of Jesus the son of Mary being born in a lowly stable in the backwater town of Bethlehem. He had no concept of God taking on human form and living and ministering among the people of Israel for three years. He had no way of knowing about Jesus’ rejection by the Jewish people and His crucifixion at the hands of the Romans. While Yahweh had given hints about some of these things, Zechariah was incapable of connecting the dots because he lived on the wrong side of the cross. Like all the other Old Testament prophets, he was simply a conduit through which Yahweh disseminated the news of His sovereign and providential plan of salvation for the world.

That is why this closing chapter must have left Zechariah reeling and confused. He couldn’t understand all he was hearing and recording. He knew Yahweh was speaking of future events but had no way of knowing when or how they would happen. So, the news of Jerusalem’s fall and plunder would not have been good news to Zechariah.

“Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you! I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and the rest will be left among the ruins of the city.” – Zechariah 14:1-2 NLT

Even as he inscribed these words onto parchment, Zechariah must have wanted to scream, “But why?!” Was more devastation really necessary? Did the people of Judah deserve to endure more suffering and subjugation at the hands of their enemies?

Zechariah would have been thrilled to hear that “the Lord will go out to fight against those nations” (Zechariah 14:3 NLT), but the mention of plundering, looting, raping, and enslavement would have made his stomach turn and his skin crawl.

As a prophet of Yahweh, Zechariah was privileged to hear directly from the LORD but was not endowed with the capacity to see into the future or discern the meaning of the words he recorded. Proof of his faithfulness as a prophet came in the form of his obedience to listen and repeat what he had been told. He was commanded to express God’s words, not explain them. He had been commissioned to communicate, not elucidate.

The fact that this book exists proves that Zechariah did as he was told. He wrote down what he heard whether he understood it or not. He faithfully recorded Yahweh’s words, even though he couldn’t fully grasp their significance or timing. But in doing so, Zechariah and the people of Judah received a reminder of their God’s power, providence, sovereignty, and everlasting love for them. Their very existence as a people had been Yahweh’s doing. He had orchestrated their return to Judah from exile. He had ordained the repopulating of Jerusalem, the construction of the Temple, and the rebuilding of the walls. But had far more in store for them than they could understand or appreciate. His plans for them reached far into the future and beyond their wildest imaginations.

Yahweh had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, providing the people of Judah with an assurance of His love and His promise to restore them.

“In that day,” says the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” – Isaiah 31:1 NLT

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
    With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.
    You will again be happy
    and dance merrily with your tambourines.
Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria
    and eat from your own gardens there.
The day will come when watchmen will shout
    from the hill country of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalem
    to worship the Lord our God.’” – Jeremiah 31:3-6 NLT

This promise didn’t come with a timeline. Yahweh didn’t articulate a date or guarantee that Jeremiah’s audience would live to see the fulfillment of these events. But they were expected to believe and hope. Yahweh wanted them to trust His words and rest in the assurance of His sovereignty and power to preserve, protect, and provide for them – now and into the future.

In this closing chapter of Zechariah, Yahweh describes a scene of epic proportions, featuring the advent of the LORD and His arrival on the Mount of Olives. This second coming of the Messiah would be nothing like His first arrival when He came in the form of an innocent, helpless baby. This time, Messiah will come to earth as a conquering King. This passage brings to mind the words of Luke recorded in the Book of Acts. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He had a last conversation with His disciples. They were still dealing with the surprising nature of His resurrection and its implications. As they stood with Jesus on the Mount of Olives, one of them asked, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” (Acts 1:6 NLT). This unnamed disciple (most likely Peter), wanted to know if the resurrection was the sign they had been waiting for. Was it time for Jesus to establish His earthly kingdom and overthrow the Romans?

But Jesus simply responded, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know” (Acts 1:7 NLT). Jesus had already told His disciples, “No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows” (Matthew 24:36 NLT). Much to the disciple’s surprise, Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t going to bring an end to Roman rule, it was going to inaugurate the Church Age. Just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NLT).

Having issued this commission to His followers, Jesus “was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him” (Acts 1:9 NLT). And as the disciples strained to catch one last glimpse of their LORD and Savior, the angels told them, “Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:11 NLT).

Zechariah recorded the event describing what the angels had in mind.

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. – Zechariah 14:4 NLT

The Book of Revelation provides a more detailed description of Jesus’ return to the Mount of Olives.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. – Revelation 19:11-16 NLT

John describes the armies of heaven accompanying Jesus to earth. Zechariah records that “the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him” (Zechariah 14:5 NLT). In his vision, John describes an epic battle that will take place as Jesus and His heavenly host take on the Antichrist and his followers.

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies. – Revelation 19:19-21 NLT

But Zechariah only records the effects of Jesus’ victory.

And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD—his name alone will be worshiped. – Zechariah 14:9 NLT

Compressed within verses 6-9 is an expansive overview of the end times. It includes the establishment of Jesus’ earthly Kingdom where He will rule and reign from Jerusalem for a thousand years. But it also foreshadows the arrival of the New Jerusalem and the beginning of the eternal state.

On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, yet there will be continuous day! Only the Lord knows how this could happen. There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light. On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem. – Zechariah 14:6-8 NLT

The apostle John provides a more detailed explanation of what Zechariah describes.

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. – Revelation 21:22-27 NLT

Yahweh has a plan that is comprehensive in nature and is unfolding right on schedule. Neither Zechariah nor John fully understood the scope of God’s plan but both were expected to believe in it and rest on the certainty of it.

“Remember this and stand firm,
    recall it to mind, you transgressors,
   remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
    and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
    and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
calling a bird of prey from the east,
    the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
    I have purposed, and I will do it.” – Isaiah 46:8-11 ESV

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Water for Purification and Revitalization

1 “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.

2 “And on that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness. 3 And if anyone again prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, for you speak lies in the name of the Lord.’ And his father and mother who bore him shall pierce him through when he prophesies.

4 “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive, 5 but he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a worker of the soil, for a man sold me in my youth.’ 6 And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back?’ he will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’

7 “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
    against the man who stands next to me,”
declares the Lord of hosts.

“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;
    I will turn my hand against the little ones.
8 In the whole land, declares the Lord,
    two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
    and one third shall be left alive.
9 And I will put this third into the fire,
    and refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” – Zechariah 13:1-9 ESV

Chapter 13 is a continuation of the previous chapter, expanding further on the events associated with the future state of Israel and the world. With the Messiah’s unexpected return and His victory over their enemies, the people of God respond with penitence and remorse over their previous rejection of Him. But what follows is another unexpected response from the one “whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10 ESV). Rather than judgment, the Messiah offers them cleansing from their sins.

“On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” – Zechariah 13:1 ESV

This water of purification will flow from the Temple itself, a scene witnessed by the prophet Ezekiel and recorded in the book that bears his name.

In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. – Ezekiel 47:1-2 NLT

In his book, the prophet Ezekiel described how the Israelites had rejected God and turned to other sources of self-satisfaction and sustenance. Rather than worship Him alone, they violated His commandment (Exodus 20:3-5) and committed spiritual adultery.

“For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me — the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” – Jeremiah 2:13 NLT

God had offered to be the sole source of their spiritual and physical needs. He had promised to bless them greatly if they would only remain faithful to Him. But they had chosen to give their affections to false gods who proved to be incapable of providing life and purification from sin.

“What did your ancestors find wrong with me
    that led them to stray so far from me?
They worshiped worthless idols,
    only to become worthless themselves.” – Jeremiah 2:5 NLT

“Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones,
    even though they are not gods at all?
Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God
    for worthless idols!” – Jeremiah 2:11 NLT

Their apostasy left them impure and in need of cleansing. Water for purification was a central part of the sacrificial system provided by God. Even the priests had to be cleansed before they could minister in God’s house on behalf of the people.

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them. Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them.” – Numbers 8:5-7 ESV

The water of purification was a strange concoction ordained by God and detailed in the Book of Numbers. The Israelites were to take a red heifer without defect and burn it on the altar along with cedarwood, hyssop, and scarlet yarn. The ashes were to be gathered and kept in a clean place for later use in a ceremony of purification.

“For the unclean they shall take some ashes of the burnt sin offering, and fresh water shall be added in a vessel. Then a clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the persons who were there and on whoever touched the bone, or the slain or the dead or the grave. And the clean person shall sprinkle it on the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day. Thus on the seventh day he shall cleanse him, and he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and at evening he shall be clean.” – Numbers 19:17-19 ESV

The uncleanness referred to in these verses had to do with anyone who came into contact with a dead body.

“Whoever touches the dead body of any person shall be unclean seven days. He shall cleanse himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day, and so be clean. But if he does not cleanse himself on the third day and on the seventh day, he will not become clean. Whoever touches a dead person, the body of anyone who has died, and does not cleanse himself, defiles the tabernacle of the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from Israel; because the water for impurity was not thrown on him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is still on him.” – Numbers 19:11-13 ESV

The water of purification was used to cleanse the contaminated and unclean individual, allowing them to be restored to fellowship with God and their faith community.

In the Zechariah passage, Yahweh speaks of a future day when He will not only cleanse His people with living water but He will also purge the land of idolatry and false prophets. He will remove the distractions that led to their rebellion and rejection of His Son. Even those who attempt to present themselves as prophets of God will be exposed as frauds and suffer the consequences. In that future day, there will be no need for prophets because God’s word will have been fulfilled completely. The Messiah will have returned and established His Millennial Kingdom. In this 1000-year-long period in which Christ will rule from the throne of David in Jerusalem, righteousness and justice will be the law of the land. The Son of David, Jesus Himself, will reign over the world and serve in the roles of King, Prophet, and Priest. Anyone else who claims to speak on God's behalf will be deemed a liar and dealt with appropriately.

In the closing verses of this chapter, Yahweh focuses His attention on someone He refers to as “my shepherd…the man who stands next to me” (Zechariah 13:7 ESV). There are some who believe this to be a reference to Jesus the Messiah, but the context seems to make this conclusion untenable. Yahweh goes on to give the command, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones” (Zechariah 13:7 ESV). This verse seems to tie back to chapter 11 where Yahweh delivered an unflattering assessment of the worthless shepherd.

Then the Lord said to me, “Go again and play the part of a worthless shepherd. This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves.” – Zechariah 11:15-16 NLT

This false and unreliable shepherd would suffer serious repercussions for His failure to feed and care for God’s flock.

“What sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd
    who abandons the flock!
The sword will cut his arm
    and pierce his right eye.
His arm will become useless,
    and his right eye completely blind.” – Zechariah 11:17 NLT

In the Zechariah 13 passage, Yahweh’s description of this individual as “My shepherd” would seem to indicate a partnership between the two of them.  He describes this shepherd as being by His side, inferring a sense of intimacy. But God often referred to His relationship with godless leaders with the same kind of language. God repeatedly referred to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, as “my servant” (Jeremiah 27:6; 43:10). He also said of Cyrus, the king of Persia, “He is my shepherd” (Isaiah 44:38 NLT). So, the use of this intimate language does not necessarily suggest that this individual has a close relationship with Yahweh or functions as a willing or obedient servant. Both Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus were simply unwilling instruments whom God used to accomplish His will.

God even considered the religious and civil leaders of Israel as His shepherds, even though they proved to be rebellious and unfaithful.

“‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.” – Ezekiel 34:7-10 NLT

God allowed these men to serve according to His divine purposes. He placed them in positions of authority and gave them responsibility for caring for His chosen people, but they abused their power. The same thing will happen in the end times when God allows the Antichrist to ascend to power over the entire world. This “shepherd” will rule over all humanity, including the Jewish people living during that day. He will win them over by making a treaty with them and allowing them to rebuild the Temple, but then He will turn against them and mercilessly persecute them, even putting many to death. This seems to be the shepherd Yahweh has in mind in the Zechariah passage.

God describes the immense suffering of His people at the hands of the Antichrist during the Great Tribulation.

“In the whole land, declares the Lord,
    two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
    and one third shall be left alive.
And I will put this third into the fire,
    and refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
    and I will answer them.” – Zechariah 13:8-9 ESV

During this future period of intense persecution, many Jews and Christians will be martyred for their faith. In his vision of the end times, the apostle John was allowed to see this host of martyred saints standing before the altar of the Almighty in heaven.

I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” – Revelation 6:9-10 NLT

The Antichrist will be given “power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them” and authority over every tribe, people, language and nation” (Revelation 13:7 NLT).

But God will have the last word. This “shepherd” who turns on the flock of God will pay dearly for his actions. Jesus Christ will return to earth again and deal a death blow to the Antichrist and Satan, casting them into hell along with all those who refuse to honor God and His chosen Servant.

But there’s a New Testament passage that reveals a hidden aspect to the words of God found in Zechariah 13. In his gospel account, Matthew records the following statement that Jesus addressed to His disciples just prior to His death. 

“Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike the Shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” – Matthew 26:31-32 NLT

Here, Jesus uses the very same passage found in Zechariah to describe His own death as God’s Shepherd. But He will die for a completely different reason. His suffering will result in life and redemption. His sacrifice will produce atonement and forgiveness for sins. Jesus, the Good Shepherd will be struck down but only to rise again and make possible eternal life to all those who place their faith in Him. As Jesus told the woman at the well, His death would provide life and access to living water.

“…those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” – John 4:14 NLT

When the Good Shepherd returns to rescue God’s sheep and restore them His fold, He will usher in the eternal state where God’s people will live with Him in the New Jerusalem. Featured prominently in this coming Kingdom is the river of the water of life.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. – Revelation 22:1-3 NLT

The Zechariah passage ends with the statement, “I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God’” (Zechariah 13:9 ESV), and Revelation 21:3 states, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

God’s grand plan of redemption will be complete and all His promises fulfilled.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

God’s Impeccable Plan for His Impertinent People

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. 11 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; 13 the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves; 14 and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves.” – Zechariah 12:10-14 ESV

On that day, the great day of God’s redemption, His covenant people who originally rejected Jesus at His first coming will recognize Him as their Messiah and Savior. In these closing verses of chapter 12, the Messiah Himself speaks words of comfort to those who formerly refused His offer of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. He promises to shower them with “a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10 ESV). 

Instead of meting out wrath and judgment for their treatment of Him, the Messiah will graciously provide them with victory over their enemies and forgiveness for their sins. But their recognition of Jesus as their Messiah will produce in them a spirit of remorse and regret over their past treatment of Him. The prophet Isaiah wrote of this day when the Israelites’ conviction over their corporate culpability will produce a spirit of confession in them.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:5-6 ESV

At the sight of their merciful Messiah, the people of Israel will feel the full weight of their guilt and the unbelievable joy that comes with knowing that He has mercifully refused to give them what they deserve: Judgment and condemnation. Instead, the one they crucified will choose to shower them with grace, an amazing gift they did not deserve. Not long after Jesus death, resurrection, and ascension, the apostle Peter preached a sermon to a gathering of Jews in Jerusalem. At the cost of offending his audience, Peter accused them of their complicity in Jesus’ death while providing proof of His claims to be the Messiah.

“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.” – Acts 2:22-24 NLT

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.” – Acts 2:32-33 NLT

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” – Acts 2:36 NLT

When Jesus returns a second time and conquers the rebellious nations of the world, His own people, the Jews, will finally see Him for who He really is. This sudden recognition of His identity will produce in them an odd blend of sorrow mixed with joy.

Peter’s sermon to the Jews in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost produced a similar reaction. His words “pierced their hearts” and they responded, “Brothers, what should we do?” (Acts 2:37 NLT). Peter’s reply was simple and succinct.

“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” – Acts 2:38-40 NLT

Mourning is featured prominently in the Isaiah passage because it conveys the idea of repentance for past actions. The text contains five uses of the words “mourn” or “mourning,” emphasizing the impact the recognition of their guilt has had on them.

Centuries earlier, when Solomon dedicated the newly constructed Temple, God responded to his prayer with the following promise:

“…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

The Zechariah passage foreshadows the coming day when God’s people will do just that. They will see the Messiah with their own eyes and understand for the first time the gravity of their rejection of Him. But their sorrow will produce prayers of repentance and pleas for mercy, and Jesus, their Messiah, will forgive and restore them. In his vision of the end times, the apostle John was given a glimpse of this future day.

All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
    And everyone will see him—
    even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
    will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen! – Revelation 1:5-7 NLT

This future speech delivered by the recently returned Messiah speaks of Jesus’ past death in very specific terms. He describes Himself as “him whom they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10 ESV). Written centuries before Jesus’ first coming, this passage contains powerful evidence of the Scripture’s divine authorship. The apostle John chronicled Jesus’ death in graphic detail, providing a reference to the piercing of His side by a spear.

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and “They will look on the one they pierced.” – John 19:32;37 NLT

But long before John witnessed the death of Jesus, the psalmist wrote a stunningly accurate depiction of the crucifixion as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;
    fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!
Like lions they open their jaws against me,
    roaring and tearing into their prey.
My life is poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,
    melting within me.
My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
    My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
    You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
    an evil gang closes in on me.
    They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones.
    My enemies stare at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves
    and throw dice for my clothing. – Psalm 22:12-18 NLT

God’s plan for the redemption of Israel and the renovation of His world has been in place for a long time. Over the centuries, he has revealed aspects of that plan to His prophets, disclosing the nature of Israel’s rebellion and His ultimate solution for restoring them to their covenant relationship with Him. God is faithful. His plan is perfect. His timing is impeccable. And His Son’s future return when He will make all things right is right on schedule.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

On that Day…

1 The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him: 2 “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it. 4 On that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But for the sake of the house of Judah I will keep my eyes open, when I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5 Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God.’

6 “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.

7 “And the LORD will give salvation to the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not surpass that of Judah. 8 On that day the LORD will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the LORD, going before them. 9 And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” – Zechariah 12:1-9 ESV

Zechariah receives yet another oracle from Yahweh, providing further insights into the future day of Israel’s redemption and restoration. Yahweh introduces Himself as the Creator God “who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit” (Zechariah 12:1 NLT). This reference to His creation of the universe is meant to remind Zechariah and the people of Judah that His power to re-create them is beyond measure. But His description of their future transformation is couched in very negative terms. It begins with the description of another siege against the city of Jerusalem. While few in Zechariah’s audience had been alive when the first siege of Jerusalem occurred, they would have heard the graphic stories of its devastating impact.

During the Babylonian invasion of Judah, there were actually two sieges, ten years apart. The first was in 597 B.C. and resulted in the city’s capture and the deportation of around 10,000 of its occupants. Ten years later, Nebuchadnezzar ordered a second siege because of the continued rebellion of its puppet king. The city endured great deprivation during the siege, and the Temple of Solomon was burned to the ground. Long before it happened, Yahweh provided Jeremiah the prophet with a graphic depiction of Jerusalem’s fall.

“I will reduce Jerusalem to ruins, making it a monument to their stupidity. All who pass by will be astonished and will gasp at the destruction they see there. I will see to it that your enemies lay siege to the city until all the food is gone. Then those trapped inside will eat their own sons and daughters and friends. They will be driven to utter despair.’

“As these men watch you, Jeremiah, smash the jar you brought. Then say to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: As this jar lies shattered, so I will shatter the people of Judah and Jerusalem beyond all hope of repair. They will bury the bodies here in Topheth, the garbage dump, until there is no more room for them. This is what I will do to this place and its people, says the Lord. I will cause this city to become defiled like Topheth. Yes, all the houses in Jerusalem, including the palace of Judah’s kings, will become like Topheth—all the houses where you burned incense on the rooftops to your star gods, and where liquid offerings were poured out to your idols.’” – Jeremiah 19:8-13 NLT

So, Yahweh’s mention of another siege would have stunned Zechariah and his fellow Judahites. They were still trying to rebuild the Temple and the thought of the city falling yet again would have been unfathomable. Yet, Yahweh softens the blow of this bad news with an important disclosure.

“I will make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink that makes the nearby nations stagger when they send their armies to besiege Jerusalem and Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves.” – Zechariah 12:2-3 NLT

While the news of another siege was shocking, Yahweh described a completely different outcome that was meant to provide encouragement to His beleaguered people. Six different times, Yahweh uses the phrase, “On that day” to let them know that this event lies in the distant future. It will feature a battle of epic proportions that will mirror the fall of Jerusalem but without the deaths and destruction. On that day, Jerusalem will be like a rock that cannot be moved. Its walls will not fall. Its enemies will be deprived of victory. In fact, the nations that come against Jerusalem will end up drinking the cup of God’s wrath. This will be a radical departure from the days when God poured out His wrath on the people of Israel.

“Wake up, wake up, O Jerusalem!
    You have drunk the cup of the Lord’s fury.
You have drunk the cup of terror,
    tipping out its last drops.
Not one of your children is left alive
    to take your hand and guide you.
These two calamities have fallen on you:
    desolation and destruction, famine and war.
And who is left to sympathize with you?
    Who is left to comfort you?
For your children have fainted and lie in the streets,
    helpless as antelopes caught in a net.
The Lord has poured out his fury;
    God has rebuked them.” – Isaiah 51:17-20 NLT

In that same passage, Yahweh goes on to predict the same future day that Zechariah is hearing about.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord,
    your God and Defender, says:
“See, I have taken the terrible cup from your hands.
    You will drink no more of my fury.
Instead, I will hand that cup to your tormentors,
    those who said, ‘We will trample you into the dust
    and walk on your backs.’” – Jeremiah 51:22-23 NLT

On that day, the attackers will discover that Yahweh the God of Israel is too powerful to overcome. He will fight on Israel’s behalf and miraculously thwart their armies and negate the impact of their weapons. They will be powerless before Yahweh Sabaoth, the LORD of Hosts. The future residents of Jerusalem and the citizens of Judah will respond to this miraculous event with wonder, recognizing Yahweh’s hand in it all. They will express their amazement with words that acknowledge Yahweh’s deliverance.

“The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God.” – Zechariah 12:5 ESV

The resilience of the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the remarkable nature of their defiant stance against their enemies will light a fire in the rest of the nation. They will respond with God-empowered zeal that turns them into an unstoppable force.

“On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a flame that sets a woodpile ablaze or like a burning torch among sheaves of grain. They will burn up all the neighboring nations right and left, while the people living in Jerusalem remain secure.” – Zechariah 12:6 NLT

Yahweh announces that victory over the enemies of Israel will first take place outside the walls of Jerusalem. As the city remains under siege, the clans of Judah will rout the combined forces of their adversaries and completely destroy them. The city will be saved because the enemy is eradicated. This order of events is important because it lets the people of Judah know that the city itself is not the focus of Yahweh’s love and attention. Yahweh makes it clear that He will “give victory to the rest of Judah first, before Jerusalem, so that the people of Jerusalem and the royal line of David will not have greater honor than the rest of Judah” (Zechariah 12:7 ESV). Yahweh’s love extends to all His people, not just those who live in Jerusalem or those who belong to David’s line. In fact, Yahweh describes a day when all will stand as equals before Him.

“On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem; the weakest among them will be as mighty as King David! And the royal descendants will be like God, like the angel of the LORD who goes before them!” – Zechariah 12:8 NLT

They will all “be like God” because they will be embued with His power and fight in His name, just as King David had done. They will share the same attribute that David had: A heart for God that expressed itself in faithful obedience (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). What is being described here is the fulfillment of the promise that Yahweh made to Ezekiel.

“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” –  Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT

With this oracle, Yahweh announces that the future of Israel will feature continued opposition and warfare. The rebuilding and repopulation of Jerusalem would not eliminate all threats of future difficulty. Reconstructing the city’s walls would not eliminate the threat of future enemy attacks. Completing the Temple would not innoculate the people from further rebellion and apostasy. This was not about a city, a building, or even a nation. It was about Yahweh and His chosen people. In 70 A.D., the city would fall again and the Temple that Zechariah helped to build would be destroyed. To this date, there is no Temple in Jerusalem. But the day will come when Yahweh orchestrates its reconstruction one last time. The prophet Daniel was given a vision of this end times event.

“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.” – Daniel 9:24-25 NLT

After the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), the seven-year-long period known as the Tribulation will begin. The first half of this future era features the rise of a charismatic leader who will rule over a global empire. He will negotiate a peace treaty with the people of Israel, giving them permission to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. But midway through the seven years of the Tribulation, He will turn on them, ordering an end to all sacrifices and demanding that they worship him alone. He will also desecrate the Temple by erecting an idol of himself in the Holy of Holies. This will usher in the last half of the seven years, commonly referred to as the Great Tribulation. Jerusalem and the Jews will come under constant opposition from the Antichrist and his forces. Tens of thousands will suffer martyrdom at his hands.

But Zechariah is told of a day when God will “destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:9 NLT). Antichrist and his global empire will fall to the King of kings and LORD of lords, an event described by John in the Book of Revelation.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” – Revelation 19:12-16 NLT

John goes on to describe the outcome of this epic conflict.

I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies. – Revelation 19:19-21 NLT

On that day, Yahweh will fulfill the promises He has made by sending His Son to complete the mission He began with His incarnation. The King will return to right all wrongs, put an end to sin and death, restore righteousness, and establish His earthly Kingdom. It will be a day reserved for praise, joy, and celebration.

“Praise the Lord!
    Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.
His judgments are true and just.
    He has punished the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her immorality.
    He has avenged the murder of his servants.” – Revelation 19:1-2 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Long-Awaited Shepherd

7 So I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders. And I took two staffs, one I named Favor, the other I named Union. And I tended the sheep. 8 In one month I destroyed the three shepherds. But I became impatient with them, and they also detested me. 9 So I said, “I will not be your shepherd. What is to die, let it die. What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed. And let those who are left devour the flesh of one another.” 10 And I took my staff Favor, and I broke it, annulling the covenant that I had made with all the peoples. 11 So it was annulled on that day, and the sheep traders, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. 12 Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. 13 Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter. 14 Then I broke my second staff Union, annulling the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

15 Then the Lord said to me, “Take once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16 For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs.

17 “Woe to my worthless shepherd,
    who deserts the flock!
May the sword strike his arm
    and his right eye!
Let his arm be wholly withered,
    his right eye utterly blinded!” – Zechariah 11:7-14 ESV

This passage is particularly difficult to understand because it appears that Zechariah begins to speak in the first person as if he were acting out the prophecy in real life. Yet there is no indication that he was given such a directive from the LORD. It makes more sense to see the first-person narrative as the words of God Himself, speaking on behalf of His Son, the Messiah. Yahweh sent the Messiah to serve as His undershepherd, acting on His orders and in His place. During His earthly ministry, Jesus proclaimed His allegiance to and reliance upon His Heavenly Father.

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing.” – John 5:19-20 NLT

He declared His unity with Yahweh when He boldly claimed, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30 BSB). He later explained His earthly ministry as a byproduct of His intimate relationship with His Father.

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves.” – John 14:10-11 BSB

Jesus, operating on behalf of His Father, “became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders” (Zechariah 11:7 ESV). The psalmist joyfully proclaimed Israel’s status as Yahweh’s precious possession, describing them as the sheep of His pasture.

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. – Psalm 100:3 ESV

Jesus came to shepherd His Father’s sheep, a responsibility He understood and fully embraced.

…the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.” – John 10:2-4 NLT

Yahweh (the gatekeeper) had opened the way for His Son to come to earth in human form. In His incarnation, Jesus became the shepherd of the sheep, calling the people of Israel to return to the fold of their Father. As the shepherd of Yahweh’s flock, Jesus took His role seriously, knowing that His job would require His own death to protect and preserve all those who belonged to His Heavenly Father.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” – John 10:14-15 NLT

In this same discourse, Jesus boldly condemns the other shepherd-leaders of Israel, declaring them to be nothing more than thieves and robbers (John 10:1) whose sole purpose “is to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 NLT). This thinly veiled reference to the priests, kings, and false prophets of Israel paints these pseudo-shepherds in a negative light, portraying them as hired hands who care nothing for the sheep under their care (John 10:13).

Jesus reserved some of His harshest criticism for Israel's spiritual leaders. On one occasion, He got into a heated debate with “the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees” (John 8:3 NLT). These self-righteous religious leaders took exception with Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God and declared themselves to be the true children of Yahweh. But Jesus responded in starkly offensive terms.

“If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!” – John 8:42-45 NLT

Jesus’ strained relationship with the religious and political leaders of His day provides a backdrop to the statements found in Zechariah 11. The shepherd of the flock was “doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders” (Zechariah 11:7 ESV). Luke records that the time came when the religious leaders of Israel ran out of patience with Jesus and determined to take Him out.

“The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus…” – Luke 22:2 NLT

The Zechariah passage describes Yahweh’s shepherd as bearing two staffs. One is called nōʿam, a Hebrew word that translates as “beauty” or “favor.” The other staff is called ḥēḇel, another Hebrew word that is often translated as “bonds” and is closely associated with “sorrows” and “travails.” The shepherd’s staff was his most prized possession, the tool of His trade that allowed Him to carry out His duties faithfully.

The prophet Isaiah predicted the coming Messiah would be “despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). Jesus shared with His disciples the unwelcome news of His fate, telling them, “the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation” (Luke 17:22 NLT). Yet, the apostle Peter declared the remarkable contrast that Jesus was “rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight” (1 Peter 2:4 BSB).

In performing His roles as the Good Shepherd, Jesus wielded the favor of His Heavenly Father but He bore the burden of His rejection by those He came to save. Carrying the “tools of His trade,” the Shepherd carried out His earthly ministry and, while doing so, exposed the worthlessness of “the three shepherds” (Zechariah 11:8 ESV). While some scholars have speculated that this is a reference to the three roles of prophet, priest, and king, a more likely explanation can be found in Jesus’ relationship with the Sadducees, Scribes, and Pharisees. Throughout His 3-year-long ministry, Jesus had repeated run-ins with these men.

The Sadducees were a wealthy, elite group of priests who served in the temple. They were committed to the Torah but rejected other scriptures and the belief in resurrection, life after death, and prophecy. They were politically involved with the Roman leaders and focused on rituals associated with the Temple. The Sadducees disappeared around 70 A.D. after the destruction of the Second Temple.

The Scribes were considered experts in Jewish law who provided interpretation and illumination of the hundreds of codified requirements the people of Israel lived under. They also copied scrolls for use in synagogues. They were well-versed in the law and the prophets, but their lives didn't match what they said. They were often in conflict with Jesus, who claimed authority over the law.

The Pharisees were a conservative group of middle-class people who taught in synagogues. They believed in the resurrection of the dead and an afterlife and taught that individuals would receive appropriate rewards and punishments. They were known for their strict adherence to behavior prescriptions based on their interpretation of the Torah.

The Shepherd claims to have “destroyed the three shepherds” (Zechariah 11:8 ESV). The Hebrew word is kāḥaḏ and it carries the idea of cutting off or hiding. With Jesus’ coming, these three religious sects lost most of their power and authority over the people. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the religious leaders convened a special meeting to discuss His rising popularity and their waning influence.

Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”– John 11:47-48 NLT

Jesus’s ministry of miracles and teaching “obscured” the previous role these men had played. The people became less enamored with and dependent upon the religious leaders and found Jesus to be more inspiring and authoritative.

…the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. – Matthew 7:28-29 NLT

But despite their amazement with Jesus’ teaching, the sheep refused to follow Him. This led the Shepherd to declare, “I won’t be your shepherd any longer. If you die, you die. If you are killed, you are killed. And let those who remain devour each other!” (Zechariah 11:9 NLT). Verse 10 indicates that the staff called “Favor” also symbolized Yahweh’s favor with the people as expressed in the covenant He had made with them. The Shepherd broke the staff in two, symbolizing the annulment of God’s covenant with mankind. In the covenant He made with Abraham, God had promised to bless the nations through him.

“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” – Genesis 12:2-23 ESV

The plan had been to use Abraham’s descendants to fulfill that promise, but they had failed to remain faithful. Yet, God had always determined to send His Son as the true Israel. He would be the faithful, sinless Son who kept all His Father’s commands and carried out His will perfectly. It would be through Jesus the Messiah that the promises to Abraham would be fulfilled.

In a profound example of prophetic accuracy, verses 12-13 predict the betrayal of Jesus at the hands of Judas.

“If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter.” – Zechariah 11:12-13 ESV

The gospels record the fulfillment of this prophecy with shocking detail.

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. – Matthew 26:14-16 NLT

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” – Matthew 27:3-4 NLT

Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. – Matthew 27:5-7 NLT

In verse 14, the tertiary meaning of the second staff is revealed. It symbolizes the bond between Israel and Judah. From this point forward, the tribes will no longer enjoy a brotherhood or unity that binds them together. With the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., the nation of Israel was destined to become a disunified and disconnected nation, enduring centuries of isolation and subjugation at the hands of their enemies.

This prophecy ends on a negative note, as God predicts the coming of a “foolish shepherd” who will persecute the people of Israel. This future world leader is none other than the Antichrist who will come to power during the Great Tribulation. This false Messiah will win over the people of God by allowing them to rebuild the Temple and restore the sacrificial system. But he will ultimately turn against them and martyr them for their faith in Yahweh.

But verse 17 predicts the fate of this foolish shepherd.

“Woe to my worthless shepherd,
    who deserts the flock!
May the sword strike his arm
    and his right eye!
Let his arm be wholly withered,
    his right eye utterly blinded!” – Zechariah 11:17 ESV

God will prevail. His Son, the Great Shepherd, will return and destroy the Antichrist. The flock of Israel will be saved and the covenant promises will be fulfilled.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Band News and Good News

1 Open your doors, O Lebanon,
    that the fire may devour your cedars!
2 Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen,
    for the glorious trees are ruined!
Wail, oaks of Bashan,
    for the thick forest has been felled!
3 The sound of the wail of the shepherds,
    for their glory is ruined!
The sound of the roar of the lions,
    for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

4 Thus said the LORD my God: “Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. 5 Those who buy them slaughter them and go unpunished, and those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, I have become rich,’ and their own shepherds have no pity on them. 6 For I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of this land, declares the LORD. Behold, I will cause each of them to fall into the hand of his neighbor, and each into the hand of his king, and they shall crush the land, and I will deliver none from their hand.” – Zechariah 11:1-6 ESV

In these verses, Yahweh seems to be warning His people that they are doomed to repeat the sins of their forefathers. Despite their recent return to the land and their ongoing efforts to rebuild the Temple, they will continue to display the same proclivity for apostasy and idolatry. Yahweh wants to bless them and fully intends to restore their fortunes but He knows that their long-term future is bleak because of their hearts are far from Him. 

All of the future hope He has outlined for them will come with the arrival of the Messiah at the end of the age. Until then, Israel's prospects will include continued apostasy, no king, constant oppression from outside forces, and a longing for a return to their former days of glory. Under Zechariah’s leadership, the people of Judah would complete the construction of the new Temple, but its presence would do little to transform their hearts or alter their behavior.

The Temple was finished in 516 B.C. and then refurbished and expanded by Herod the Great about 18 B.C. This “second” Temple was still standing when Jesus began His earthly ministry. But the Romans destroyed that beautiful structure nearly 90 years later. Jesus predicted this devastating event when discussing the beauty of Herod’s renovated Temple with His disciples.

As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.”

Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” – Mark 13:1-2 NLT

The disciples were obviously disturbed by what Jesus said but He had far more to say about the matter that would leave them disheartened and confused. First, He warned them not to be fooled by the appearance of false Messiahs, offering deliverance from the wars, famines, and earthquakes that would come. But His premonitions concerning their own fate must have hit the hardest.

“You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.” – Mark 13:9-10 NLT

The future would be difficult and feature a disintegration of the social fabric.

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” – Mark 13:12-13 NLT

Jesus’ next words must have left His disciples staggering in disbelief. He described a period of great tribulation and turmoil – like nothing the world has ever seen.

“For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.” – Mark 13:19-20 NLT

However, the disciples failed to understand that many of these things would not occur until long after they were gone. After His ascension, they would suffer persecution, being arrested, tried, beaten, and even martyred for their proclamation of the Good News. But they would not live to see the full extent of the prophecy He outlined.

Jesus was speaking of His second coming, the future day when He would return to complete God’s plan for the redemption of Israel and the establishment of His Kingdom on earth.

“Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.” – Mark 13:26-27 NLT

But what does all this have to do with Zechariah 10:1-4? Everything. In these verses, the prophet delivers Yahweh’s message concerning the destruction of the Temple. Zechariah must have found these words difficult to write down because He was still trying to finish the construction of the Temple. It would have been highly demotivating and demoralizing to hear that their work would be in vain. He had no idea that 576 years would pass before the Romans destroyed the Temple.

While Yahweh used poetic language to describe the future fate of the Temple, His message would have been clear to Zechariah. Verse one describes the Temple in a rather strange way but one that Zechariah and the people of Judah would have understood.

Open your doors, O Lebanon,
    that the fire may devour your cedars! – Zechariah 11:1 ESV

When Solomon prepared to build the original Temple, he procured wood for its construction from the forests of Lebanon. He sent a message to the King of Tyre requesting all the lumber necessary to complete his plans for God’s house.

“Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.” – 1 Kings 5:6 ESV

The text goes on to reveal that Hiram honored Solomon’s request and provided all the timber necessary for the Temple project.

So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired. – 1 Kings 5:10 ESV

Wood featured prominently in the design of the Temple.

So Solomon built the house and finished it. He lined the walls of the house on the inside with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood, and he covered the floor of the house with boards of cypress. He built twenty cubits of the rear of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the walls, and he built this within as an inner sanctuary, as the Most Holy Place. The house, that is, the nave in front of the inner sanctuary, was forty cubits long. The cedar within the house was carved in the form of gourds and open flowers. All was cedar; no stone was seen. – 1 Kings 6:14-18 ESV

Because of the sheer quantity of lumber from Lebanon used in the Temple’s construction, According to the Talmud, God’s house was affectionately nicknamed, “Lebanon.” When Solomon finished his palace, he called it “the House of the Forest of Lebanon” (1 Kings 7:2 ESV).

So, verse 1 contains a thinly veiled reference to the destruction of the Temple. But Yahweh describes other “glorious trees” like cypress and oak that will also face destruction.

Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen,
    for the glorious trees are ruined!
Wail, oaks of Bashan,
    for the thick forest has been felled! – Zechariah 11:2 ESV

Some scholars believe these are references to the people of Israel but, given the context, it makes more sense to see this as a further description of the Temple’s ultimate destruction. All the wood used to frame and decorate the Temple would be burned in the fire started by the Roman soldiers. For the second time, the glorious House of God was destroyed by the enemies of Israel. As a result of this devastation, the priests (shepherds) wail as they witness the destruction of their place of the LORD’s house and their place of employment.

The sound of the wail of the shepherds,
    for their glory is ruined! – Zechariah 11:3 ESV

But it would seem that these verses foreshadow something far greater than the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. In the rest of the chapter, Yahweh expands the scope of His prophecy, describing a much greater devastation than that which took place in the 1st Century A.D. Once again, He provides a stark vision of the future that must have disturbed Zechariah but came without explanation or interpretation. Like Jesus’ disciples, the prophet had no way of knowing when these things might occur. But Yahweh gives a command that provides a vital clue to understanding what He is talking about.

“Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter.” – Zechariah 11:4 ESV

This can be taken as a reference to Zechariah but it also has future implications. In chapter 10, Yahweh described the arrival of a new shepherd who would care for His forsaken flock.

“…the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has arrived
    to look after Judah, his flock.
He will make them strong and glorious,
    like a proud warhorse in battle.” – Zechariah 10:3 ESV

That shepherd would be the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who came to lay down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). God intended to send His Son as the ultimate Shepherd who would lovingly care for His neglected and mistreated flock.

“So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them.” – Ezekiel 34:23-24 NLT

Matthew records that when Jesus came He saw the people of Israel with the eyes of a shepherd.

He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. – Matthew 9:36 BSB

But John records, “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him” (John 1:11 NLT). Jesus came to be the Great Shepherd, but the sheep of Israel refused to hear His voice. In fact, according to the apostle Peter, they played a significant role in His death.

“This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!” – Acts3:13-15 NLT

In some sense, verses 4-6 of Zechariah 11 refer to God’s prophet. He was the “shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter” (Zechariah 11:4 ESV). But, in this, he served as a type of foreshadowing of the greater shepherd to come. The author of Hebrews describes Jesus as “the great Shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20 NLT). Jesus came to serve as the one true Shepherd, but His own flock refused to listen to His voice or accept His offer of care and compassion. But one day, Jesus will return again to gather up the scattered flock of God and restore them to His Father’s fold.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” – John 10:14-16 NLT

But long before that event takes place, there will be a period of prolonged suffering and separation for the unfaithful flock of God. That is what God describes for His prophet Zechariah.

“For I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of this land, declares the Lord. Behold, I will cause each of them to fall into the hand of his neighbor, and each into the hand of his king, and they shall crush the land, and I will deliver none from their hand.” – Zechariah 11:6 ESV

For Zechariah, those events lay in the distant future and he would not live to see them. But God was revealing the details of Israel’s destiny and assuring His prophet that there was a complete and fully reliable plan in place for their future well-being.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Sheep In Need of a Shepherd

1 Ask rain from the Lord
    in the season of the spring rain,
from the Lord who makes the storm clouds,
    and he will give them showers of rain,
    to everyone the vegetation in the field.
2 For the household gods utter nonsense,
    and the diviners see lies;
they tell false dreams
    and give empty consolation.
Therefore the people wander like sheep;
    they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.

3 “My anger is hot against the shepherds,
    and I will punish the leaders;
for the Lord of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah,
    and will make them like his majestic steed in battle.
4 From him shall come the cornerstone,
    from him the tent peg,
from him the battle bow,
    from him every ruler—all of them together.
5 They shall be like mighty men in battle,
    trampling the foe in the mud of the streets;
they shall fight because the Lord is with them,
    and they shall put to shame the riders on horses.

6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah,
    and I will save the house of Joseph.
I will bring them back because I have compassion on them,
    and they shall be as though I had not rejected them,
    for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
7 Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior,
    and their hearts shall be glad as with wine.
Their children shall see it and be glad;
    their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.

8 “I will whistle for them and gather them in,
    for I have redeemed them,
    and they shall be as many as they were before.
9 Though I scattered them among the nations,
    yet in far countries they shall remember me,
    and with their children they shall live and return.
10 I will bring them home from the land of Egypt,
    and gather them from Assyria,
and I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon,
    till there is no room for them.
11 He shall pass through the sea of troubles
    and strike down the waves of the sea,
    and all the depths of the Nile shall be dried up.
The pride of Assyria shall be laid low,
    and the scepter of Egypt shall depart.
12 I will make them strong in the Lord,
    and they shall walk in his name,”
declares the Lord. – Zechariah 10:1-12 ESV

Chapter 9 prophesied the coming of the King who would reunite Israel and Judah under His rule and re-establish the Jewish people as Yahweh’s treasured possession. This prophecy was partially fulfilled during the kingship of Judas Maccabeus, a Jewish priest who led a rebellion against  Antiochus IV,  king of the Seleucid Empire. In 164 B.C., Judas Macabeus and his ragtag army of insurrectionists regained control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple. Despite his successful retaking of Jerusalem, Judas Macabeus ruled for just three years and was succeeded by his son Jonathan. Their dynasty was short-lived and remained under Seleucid control the entire time. While peace was made with the Seleucids, the Jews never enjoyed the prominence and power described in chapter 9. That is reserved for the time of the Messiah’s coming when He will return and set up His earthly Kingdom.

Chapter 10 picks up the prophecy by focusing on the people of Israel and their relationship with Yahweh in the coming Kingdom of His Son. Because Christ’s Kingdom will be an earthly one, life will go on as usual. Crops will need to be planted and cared for. Rain will be necessary for proper plant growth. So, the future people of Israel will do as they have always done and ask Yahweh to send rain at the proper time so their crops will thrive. This verse also served as a much-needed reminder to Zechariah and his fellow Judahites that God was sovereign over all things, including the storm clouds. He was the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17) who “sends rain on the just and the unjust alike” (Matthew 5:35 NLT). And the same God who provides rain in season can shower His covenant people with spiritual blessings beyond their wildest imaginations. All of this is in keeping with the promise from God that Moses delivered to the people of Israel in the wilderness.

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:

“Your towns and your fields
    will be blessed.
Your children and your crops
    will be blessed.
The offspring of your herds and flocks
    will be blessed.
Your fruit baskets and breadboards
    will be blessed.
Wherever you go and whatever you do,
    you will be blessed.” – Deuteronomy 28:1-6 NLT

Verse 2 brings the focus back to the remnant of God’s people living in the land of Judah during the time of Zechariah. God alludes to the fact that, despite His gracious provision of their return to Judah, they remained idolatrous. During their lengthy stay in Babylonian captivity, they had compromised their convictions and embraced the false gods of their captors. Many who returned to Judah with Zerubbabel likely brought their household idols along. Not only that, they returned with a predilection for the occult, including sorcery, magic, and fortune-telling. But Yahweh leaves little doubt about His opinion on the matter.

“Household gods give worthless advice,
    fortune-tellers predict only lies,
and interpreters of dreams pronounce
    falsehoods that give no comfort.” – Zechariah 10:2 NLT

The prophet Habakkuk recorded a similar assessment from God concerning the futility of idolatry.

“What good is an idol carved by man,
    or a cast image that deceives you?
How foolish to trust in your own creation—
    a god that can’t even talk!
What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols,
    ‘Wake up and save us!’
To speechless stone images you say,
    ‘Rise up and teach us!’
    Can an idol tell you what to do?
They may be overlaid with gold and silver,
    but they are lifeless inside.” – Habakkuk 2:18-19 NLT

It was idolatry and spiritual infidelity that had led to Judah’s fall in the first place. Their destruction at the hands of the Babylonians had been due to their unfaithfulness to Yahweh. False prophets had dared to provide them with false hope. Impious priests had turned a blind eye to their spiritual adultery. Self-centered kings had sold their souls to false gods and made alliances with pagan nations in an attempt to protect and prolong their reigns. As a result, the people had become like shepherdless sheep.

“So my people are wandering like lost sheep;
    they are attacked because they have no shepherd.” – Zechariah 10:2 NLT

Idols are an unreliable source of guidance because they are non-existent. They are the figments of men’s imaginations. Those who attempt to lead based on input from a lifeless idol will be unreliable shepherds. Their leadership will be damaging and detrimental to the flock that Yahweh has placed under their care, and He had strong words for these sheep-destroying shepherds.

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.” – Ezekiel 34:2-6 NLT

“My people have been lost sheep.
    Their shepherds have led them astray
    and turned them loose in the mountains.
They have lost their way
    and can’t remember how to get back to the sheepfold.” – Jeremiah 50:6 NLT

“Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number.” – Jeremiah 23:2-3 NLT

But in that same passage in Jeremiah 23, God goes on to promise to rectify the problem created by these uncaring and disobedient shepherds.

“For the time is coming,”
    says the Lord,
“when I will raise up a righteous descendant
    from King David’s line.
He will be a King who rules with wisdom.
    He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
And this will be his name:
    ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’
In that day Judah will be saved,
    and Israel will live in safety.” – Jeremiah 23:5-6 NLT

This prophecy ties back into chapter 9. Despite the lack of godly leadership and the ongoing problem of shepherdless sheep, Yahweh has plans to step in and resolve the issue.

“My anger burns against your shepherds,
    and I will punish these leaders.
For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has arrived
    to look after Judah, his flock.
He will make them strong and glorious,
    like a proud warhorse in battle.” – Zechariah 10:3 NLT

God would send His Son to serve as the consummate Shepherd who would willingly lay down His life for the sheep of God’s fold.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” – John 10:11-14 NLT

But there is a time when God will send the Good Shepherd again. He will return to earth to seek out and restore the lost sheep of Israel.

“I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord.” – Ezekiel 34:11-15 NLT

And God makes it clear that this regathering of His lost sheep will be the work of the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20-21).

“I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!” – Ezekiel 34:23-24 NLT

Under the leadership of this future Son of David, the people of Israel will prosper as never before. The lost sheep will be restored and transformed into mighty warriors. Their relationship with Yahweh will be restored and it will be as if they never strayed at all. The Great Shepherd will call His sheep and they will respond (John 10:27). Their days of apostasy and spiritual infidelity will be over because Yahweh will remove their propensity for unfaithfulness by transforming their disposition through the power of His Spirit.

”I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.

 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” – Ezekiel 36:23-27 NLT

Yahweh wanted Zechariah to know that Israel’s best days were ahead of them. Despite the circumstances surrounding them, they could rest assured that His plans for them were “plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT).

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

How Great Is His Goodness

14 Then the LORD will appear over them,
    and his arrow will go forth like lightning;
the LORD God will sound the trumpet
    and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts will protect them,
    and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones,
and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine,
    and be full like a bowl,
    drenched like the corners of the altar.

16 On that day the LORD their God will save them,
    as the flock of his people;
for like the jewels of a crown
    they shall shine on his land.
17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!
    Grain shall make the young men flourish,
    and new wine the young women. – Zechariah 9:14-17 ESV

In verses 12-13, Yahweh invites all His people who remain dispersed around the world to return to the land of promise. The remnant who had left Babylon and made the long journey to Judah with Zerubbabel were just a fraction of the Israelites still scattered in distant lands. This divine invitation was extended to any and all Jews to come to their ancestral homeland.

“Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
    today I declare that I will restore to you double.
For I have bent Judah as my bow;
    I have made Ephraim its arrow.
I will stir up your sons, O Zion,
    against your sons, O Greece,
    and wield you like a warrior's sword.” – Zechariah 9:12-132 ESV

When the Assyrians invaded the northern kingdom of Israel in 732 B.C., many Israelites fled to neighboring countries seeking safety. When Israel feel in 720 B.C., many of these refugees chose to remain in their adopted homelands rather than return to Israel. When the capital city of Samaria fell, many Israelites were taken as captives to Assyria, never to return to Israel. The same thing happened to the southern kingdom of Judah nearly 120 years later when the Babylonians invaded their land and destroyed the capital city of Jerusalem. When the first wave of Babylonian soldiers arrived in Judah, many of its citizens fled for their lives. Those who remained were forced to witness the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Tens of thousands of them were forced to make the long march to Babylon as captives. Almost 70 years after their arrival in the land, a small portion of them returned to Judah to rebuild the Temple and the city and its walls. 

While Yahweh’s message is addressed to Zechariah and intended for his fellow Judahites, this section of verses speaks of a future generation of Israelites who will return to the land long after Zechariah and his contemporaries are gone. He describes a future day when Judah and Israel (Ephraim) will be reunited under Yahweh’s sovereign leadership. The LORD will lead them in battle against their enemies. 

“The LORD will appear above his people;
    his arrows will fly like lightning!
The Sovereign Lord will sound the ram’s horn
    and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert.” – Zechariah 9:14 NLT

The LORD’s sudden appearance will usher in an epic battle between the reunified Israelite kingdom and their enemies. Verse 13 describes Israel’s future enemy as Greece, but this is more likely a reference to the Gentile nations as a whole. This prophecy was partially fulfilled in the second century B.C.  when the Jews rose up against their Greek/Syrian oppressors. The Greeks had conquered much of the known world under the leadership of Alexander the Great but with his death in 323 B.C., his vast empire was divided between four of his top commanders. Eventually, Judah came under the heavy-handed rule of the Seleucids, founded by Seleucus, one of Alexander’s generals. In 175 B.C., Antiochus IV assumed leadership of the Seleucid Empire and began to persecute the Jews, outlawing many of their religious practices and demanding the worship of the Greek god, Zeus. In an attempt to humiliate the Jews and their God, Antiochus ordered the sacrifice of a pig in the Temple. This desecration of the house of God led to the Maccabean Revolt.

In one of his many visions, the prophet Daniel was given a glimpse into the future where he saw these horrible events unfolding.

“After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end. The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.” – Daniel 9:26-27 NLT

But what Daniel saw was only partially fulfilled with the Macabbean Revolt. Jesus alluded to this fact when He delivered His Olivette Discourse near the end of His life.

“The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.” – Matthew 24:15-22 NLT

Jesus spoke these words long after the Macabbean Revolt, indicating that Daniel’s message was not yet fulfilled. There would be another desecration of the Temple sometime in the distant future. In Revelation 13, the apostle John describes the vision he received of the end times events associated with Jesus’ second coming. In his vision he saw the false prophet set up an idol of the Antichrist and demand that all people bow down and worship it.

He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die. – Revelation 13:14-15 NLT

These strange-sounding, supernatural events will occur near the end of the Great Tribulation. The Antichrist will rule over all the earth, empowered by Satan himself. The false prophet will serve as Antichrist's right-hand man, performing great signs and miracles, and ordering the worship of Antichrist instead of the one true God. But at the end of this period, the LORD will appear. John was also provided with a vision of that epic moment.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. – Revelation 19:11-16 NLT

John was allowed to see the second coming of Jesus Christ as He returned to earth to deliver judgment upon the Antichrist and all his followers. In his vision, John saw “the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army” (Revelation 19:19 NLT). In an earlier vision, John saw Satan, the Antichrist, and his false prophet use demonic forces to instigate a glogal insurrection against God.

And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the LORD on that great judgment day of God the Almighty. – Revelation 16:13-14 NLT

Revelation 19 describes how these coalition forces fared against the LORD.

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies. – Revelation 19:19-21 NLT

This would appear to be the same event Yahweh describes in His message to Zechariah.

“On that day the LORD their God will rescue his people,
    just as a shepherd rescues his sheep.
They will sparkle in his land
    like jewels in a crown.
How wonderful and beautiful they will be!
    The young men will thrive on abundant grain,
    and the young women will flourish on new wine.” – Zechariah 9:16-17 NLT

The great battle described in Revelation 19 will be followed by the millennial reign of Christ – a thousand years during which He will rule over all the earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem. His Kingdom will be worldwide and marked by righteousness, peace, and truth. John was given a vision of this marvelous scene as well.

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. – Revelation 20:4 NLT

All those martyred during the Great Tribulation will be resurrected and allowed to rule alongside Christ in His earthly Kingdom. Believing Jews and Gentiles will live side-by-side in the city of Jerusalem benefiting from the righteous rule of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

But the ultimate fulfillment of God’s message to Zechariah takes place when God makes all things new. Christ’s reign earthly Kingdom will last a thousand years and then be followed by God’s recreation of the heavens and earth.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. – Revelation 21:1-2 NLT

God will come to dwell on earth in the New Jerusalem, reigning alongside His Son.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” – Revelation 21:3-4 NLT

In this earthly paradise, the new Eden, God will come to live among His people, including both Jews and Gentiles. It will be a time of great rejoicing because all the walls of separation will have been removed. Evil and sin will have been eradicated and the ungodly will have been removed.

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. – Revelation 21:22-27 NLT

It’s no wonder that Yahweh ends His message with the rather bold self-assessment, “how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!” (Zechariah 9:17 ESV).

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

God of the Impossible

1 The oracle of the word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach
    and Damascus is its resting place.
For the Lord has an eye on mankind
    and on all the tribes of Israel,
2 and on Hamath also, which borders on it,
    Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.
3 Tyre has built herself a rampart
    and heaped up silver like dust,
    and fine gold like the mud of the streets.
4 But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions
    and strike down her power on the sea,
    and she shall be devoured by fire.

5 Ashkelon shall see it, and be afraid;
    Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish;
    Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded.
The king shall perish from Gaza;
    Ashkelon shall be uninhabited;
6 a mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod,
    and I will cut off the pride of Philistia.
7 I will take away its blood from its mouth,
    and its abominations from between its teeth;
it too shall be a remnant for our God;
    it shall be like a clan in Judah,
    and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites.
8 Then I will encamp at my house as a guard,
    so that none shall march to and fro;
no oppressor shall again march over them,
    for now I see with my own eyes. – Zechariah 9:1-8 ESV 

Yahweh now delivers an oracle to Zechariah. The Hebrew word translated as “oracle” is maśśā', which means “to lift up” or “to bear up.” Figuratively, it could refer to a pronouncement or prophecy that had a “burden” or “weight” associated with it. In this case, Yahweh is predicting the coming destruction of Israel’s many enemies. At the same time, He is announcing the coming of Israel’s long-awaited King and Messiah. The first eight verses paint a bleak and inescapable future for the nations that have stood opposed to Israel’s well-being for centuries. Zechariah is informed that each of these pagan nations will suffer the consequences for their treatment of God’s chosen people.

Yahweh lists a variety of cities surrounding Jerusalem, from Damascus in the north to Ashkelon in the south. He begins His list in the north in the region known as Hadrach, but He focuses His oracle on the city of Damascus. From there, Yahweh moves south, listing the names of additional doomed cities as He makes His way to Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Gaza. This north-to-south route is significant because it mirrors the path the Assyrians and Babylonians took when they conquered Israel and Judah. Earlier prophets had predicted the coming destruction of the northern and southern kingdoms by these two nations, a fate ordained by God for His people’s continued rebellion against Him.

“But I have stirred up a leader who will approach from the north.
From the east he will call on my name.
I will give him victory over kings and princes.
He will trample them as a potter treads on clay.” – Isaiah 41:25 NLT

“Yes,” the Lord said, “for terror from the north will boil out on the people of this land. Listen! I am calling the armies of the kingdoms of the north to come to Jerusalem. I, the Lord, have spoken!

“They will set their thrones
at the gates of the city.
They will attack its walls
and all the other towns of Judah.
I will pronounce judgment
on my people for all their evil—
for deserting me and burning incense to other gods.
Yes, they worship idols made with their own hands!” – Jeremiah 1:14-16 NLT

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: From the north I will bring King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon against Tyre. He is king of kings and brings his horses, chariots, charioteers, and great army. First he will destroy your mainland villages. Then he will attack you by building a siege wall, constructing a ramp, and raising a roof of shields against you.He will pound your walls with battering rams and demolish your towers with sledgehammers. The hooves of his horses will choke the city with dust, and the noise of the charioteers and chariot wheels will shake your walls as they storm through your broken gates. His horsemen will trample through every street in the city. They will butcher your people, and your strong pillars will topple.” – Ezekiel 7:7-11 NLT

Yahweh is announcing His intention to take the same path of destruction to mete out judgment upon the enemies of His people. He will begin in the north with Damascus and work His way down the coast to the land of the Philistines.

This prophecy was partially fulfilled in 333 B.C. when Alexander the Great passed through the region on his way to Egypt. He focused his attention on the coastal cities, destroying all ports used by the Achaemenid Empire but leaving the Jews relatively undisturbed. Alexander’s march to the south left many of these same cities destroyed but they would eventually rise from the ashes and continue their mistreatment of the people of Israel. What Yahweh has in store for them will be far more destructive and permanent than anything they suffered at the hands of the Greeks.

The English Standard Version translates verse 1 as “the LORD has an eye on mankind and on all the tribes of Israel.” While it is obvious that the all-knowing, all-seeing Yahweh is always watching over the affairs of men, most translators render this verse differently.

…the eyes of humanity, including all the tribes of Israel, are on the LORD. – NLT

…the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD. – BSB

…for the eyes of mankind, especially of all the tribes of Israel, are toward the LORD. – NASB

This human-based perspective is important because it indicates that all will know and understand that this future judgment is the work of Yahweh. Everyone will comprehend the divine nature of the destruction. This won’t be the work of some world super-power, it will be the hand of Adonai, the LORD of Hosts.

…the Lord will strip away Tyre’s possessions
and hurl its fortifications into the sea,
and it will be burned to the ground.– Zechariah 9:4 NLT 

The city of Ashkelon will see Tyre fall
and will be filled with fear.
Gaza will shake with terror,
as will Ekron, for their hopes will be dashed.
Gaza’s king will be killed,
and Ashkelon will be deserted.– Zechariah 9:4 NLT

These powerful, wealthy, and influential cities will suffer fear, humiliation, and elimination at the hands of Israel’s God. Their wealth will do them no good. Their armies will be impotent and unable to defend them. The once-great Philistine empire that had plagued the people of Israel for centuries would fall, never to rise again. The oracle even predicts the conversion of any Philistines who manage to make it out alive.

Then the surviving Philistines will worship our God
    and become like a clan in Judah.
The Philistines of Ekron will join my people,
    as the ancient Jebusites once did. – Zechariah 9:7 NLT

The content of this oracle must have been difficult for Zechariah to get his head around. It was good news but it all sounded so far-fetched and impossible. It didn’t get any more believable when God claimed, “I will guard my Temple and protect it from invading armies. I am watching closely to ensure that no more foreign oppressors overrun my people’s land” (Zechariah 9:8 NLT).

God was telling Zechariah incredible news regarding Israel's future. Not only will Israel be restored, Jerusalem rebuilt, and the Temple completed, but the people of Israel will prosper, filling the land, and serving Him faithfully. Things were going to be radically different. Instead of punishing His people as He had done in the past, God was going to bless them abundantly and restore them to favor. This news had to be difficult for Zechariah to comprehend as he looked around at a partially completed foundation on the Temple, the broken-down walls, and the demoralized remnant who struggled to fulfill the task God had given them due to the scope of the project and the presence of opposition. Yet, Yahweh had assured Zechariah that He was the God of the impossible.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." – Zechariah 8:6 NLT

It's as if God said, "I know this doesn't look so good right now, but don't judge Me based on what you see." Yahweh wanted Zechariah to focus on His promises, not the pressing problems that seemed to never go away. 

Yahweh knew that Zechariah and the beleaguered people of Judah were struggling to keep the faith. They were growing weary and questioning whether all their hard work would be worth it. So, God pointed them to the future. He predicted a brighter tomorrow that was beyond their powers of comprehension. But He had proven Himself faithful in the past and could be trusted to fulfill His plans for the future.

Yet, God’s people have always struggled with doubt and the inability to take God at His word. Even today, those who claim to believe in an all-powerful, promise-keeping God, find themselves wondering where He is and what He is doing. They take a look at their current circumstances and make sweeping judgments regarding everything from God's faithfulness and presence to His love and power. When things don't go well, God’s people automatically assume that He is either angry or oblivious to their needs. He is upset and punishing them. He is out of touch and ignorant of them. Their prayers don't get answered, so they conclude He does not hear or does not care.

In time, their view of life begins to influence their view of God. In a sense, Yahweh tells Zechariah, "I know this all seems impossible to you right now. After all, there's just a handful of you and the job is far from complete. BUT THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU!"

The point of it all was that God could do the impossible. He knew what was going on and was well aware of the situation taking place in Jerusalem. He had a full grasp of the facts regarding the status of the Temple, the presence of opposition, the size of the workforce, and the condition of their hearts. Which explains the depth and detail of His message to Zechariah.

He told Zechariah, "Be strong and finish the task!" (Zechariah 8:9 NLT) and “Don't be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple" (Zechariah 8:13 NLT). It wasn't about their strength and ability to get things done, it was about their faith and trust in a God who could do ANYTHING. They just needed to do what He had called them to do and leave the rest up to Him. God had returned them to the promised land, provided a royal edict to secure their work, and secured the funds to pay for the entire restoration project. He had done His part but they had failed to complete theirs. It was far too easy for them to look at their relative lack of success and the overwhelming size of the task and become disillusioned.

The same thing can be true of us. We get overwhelmed by circumstances and begin to feel we are in over our heads. We start to wonder if God is with us at all. But whenever we think it's all up to us, we miss the point. Nothing is impossible for God. There is nothing He can't handle. There is nothing we face that is outside of His sovereign control and divine will. Like Zechariah and the people of Judah, we must constantly remind ourselves that nothing is impossible for God. That's the message we need to hear. There is nothing that He can't do. There is not a single circumstance that is out of His ability or power to handle. And not only that, but nothing is impossible for God. That's the message of the Bible. It is all about God, not us. It is about His power, His will, His promises, His faithfulness, His salvation, His Kingdom, and His ability to finish what He has begun and restore what is broken. Nothing is impossible for Him.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Present Faith in Future Promises

18 And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, 19 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

20 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.’ 22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. 23 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.’” – Zechariah 8:18-23 NLT

Chapter 7 began with a question about fasting. Now, Yahweh points to a future day when it will no longer be necessary to fast. Leviticus 16 records Yahweh’s command concerning fasting. ʿ

“And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.” – Leviticus 16:29 ESV

The Hebrew word translated as “afflict” is ānâ and it carries the idea of humbling oneself, to be afflicted, or bowed down. It was commonly associated with fasting because fasting was intended as a sign of repentance and mourning over sins. The Book of Isaiah records Yahweh’s displeasure with the false fasting of the people of Israel.

“Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble(ānâ) himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?” – Isaiah 58:5 ESV

He accused His people of going through the motions of fasting without the requisite heart change that was required. The people couldn’t understand why their outward displays of self-denial were getting them nowhere with Yahweh.

“Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
    Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?” – Isaiah 58:3 ESV

But Yahweh explained His disinterest and unwillingness to take their fasts seriously.

“Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
    and oppress all your workers.
Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
    and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
    will not make your voice to be heard on high.” – Isaiah 58:3-4 ESV

Fasting was intended to display a repentant heart and a willingness to alter one’s behavior. It was an act of self-denial and public humiliation that demonstrated a recognition of one’s sin and a need for atonement.

But in this chapter, Yahweh describes a future in which fasting will be replaced by “seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts” (Zechariah 8:19 ESV). The fasts associated with the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of God’s people will no longer be necessary. Yahweh is pointing to a day when joy will replace mourning and celebrations commemorating His goodness will eliminate all memories of past sins and divine judgment.

The Temple, once completed, would fully restore the sacrificial system, not eliminate it. The need for atonement would continue to require the blood of bulls, goats, sheep, and rams. The immediate future of the people of Judah would require a fully functioning priesthood, a completed Temple, and the sacrifice of countless animals to serve as sin substitutes for the guilty. The Day of Atonement would still require fasting on the part of the people before they could be cleansed from sin. 

The author of Hebrews explains the necessity of the sacrificial system but also identifies its shortcomings.

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. – Hebrews 10:1-4 ESV

So, when Yahweh speaks of “seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts,” He is talking about a future day when full and permanent atonement will be attained for His people. This message from Yahweh includes His promise of the future restoration and spiritual transformation of His chosen people. It coincides with the message He delivered through the prophet Ezekiel.

“Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations. I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord. For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” – Ezekiel 36:22-27 NLT

All of these promises will take place when Christ returns to set up His earthly Kingdom. Daniel was given a vision of the end times, including the period known as the Great Tribulation. During those days, God will bring judgment upon the earth and His people, both Jews and Christians, will suffer persecution at the hands of the Antichrist. But God will only allow this wicked world ruler to carry out his genocidal pogrom for three and a half years.

“He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.

“But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed. Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.” – Daniel 7:25-27 NLT

This future kingdom will include believing Jews and Gentiles who will reign alongside Christ for 1,000 years.

“The manifestation of the kingdom will be attended by such a fulness of salvation that Judah will forget to commemorate the former mournful events and will only have occasion to rejoice in the benefits of grace bestowed by God.” –  Merrill F.  Unger, Zechariah

Yahweh wants Zechariah to know that the rebuilding of the Temple was just the beginning of His plans for the people of Judah. There is far more in store for His chosen people than they realize. They will accomplish their mission and complete the construction of God’s house. They will also rebuild the walls and hang the gates. The city will be repopulated and the nation will once again enjoy the blessings of Yahweh. But their greatest days lie in the distant future when God will redeem them fully and restore them to a right relationship with Himself that will last for eternity. The apostle Paul described this future day as a mystery. 

I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,

“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,
    and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
And this is my covenant with them,
    that I will take away their sins.” – Romans 11:25-27 NLT

As Zechariah listens to these amazing pronouncements from Yahweh, he can't help but consider the less-than-ideal circumstances surrounding him and the far-from-perfect spiritual state of his fellow Judahites. But God is promising Him a future free from godlessness and sin. Not only that, the formerly destroyed city of Jerusalem will become a light shining on a hill attracting people from all over the world. Countless individuals from distant nations will declare their intention to visit the glorious city of Jerusalem.

“Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.” – Zechariah 8:21 ESV

Three other prophets recorded this same scene, further certifying its validity and future certainty.

In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
    will be the highest of all—
    the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
    and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
    and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
    his word will go out from Jerusalem. - Isaiah 2:2-3 NLT

In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
    will be the highest of all—
    the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
    and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
    and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
    his word will go out from Jerusalem. – Micah 4:1-2 NLT

Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
    With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.
    You will again be happy
    and dance merrily with your tambourines.
Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria
    and eat from your own gardens there.
The day will come when watchmen will shout
    from the hill country of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalem
    to worship the Lord our God.’” – Jeremiah 31:3-6 NLT

Yahweh reiterates His future intentions for His chosen people to Zechariah, stating, “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’” (Zechariah 8:23 ESV). These promises concerning Judah’s future were meant to encourage Zechariah and motivate the people to carry out their work with enthusiasm and faith. They served a good and gracious God who loved them and had great plans for them.

But Yahweh didn’t want His people to live with their eyes focused on the future. They weren’t to live with their eye set on the preferred future God had in store for them. His promises of future redemption and restoration would take place long after they were gone so, in the meantime, they were to “love truth and peace” (Zechariah 8:19 ESV). In other words, they were to love what God loved. They were to live in keeping with His will, treating one another with love, dignity, respect, and honor. With all His future promises in mind, they were to dedicate themselves to living in a way that honored Him in the here and now.

“Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate…” – Zechariah 8:16-17 ESV

The apostle Peter gave the same admonition to the believers who received his second epistle.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:3-8 NLT

The people of Judah were to live with the end in mind, but they were never to lose sight of Yahweh’s call to live godly lives. God’s future faithfulness was meant to inspire present obedience in His covenant people. No matter how difficult the days ahead might be, they could rest in the promise of Yahweh’s unwavering love and long-term commitment to their well-being.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Going Through the Motions

1 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. 2 Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the LORD, 3 saying to the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”

4 Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me: 5 “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? 6 And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? 7 Were not these the words that the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?’”

8 And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, 9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, 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.” 11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. 12 They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts. 13 “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” says the Lord of hosts, 14 “and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.” – Zechariah 7:1-14 ESV

Two years after the night visions ended, Zechariah received another message from Yahweh. The construction of the Temple had begun again, and progress was being made, but it seemed that the people were still lagging in their spiritual devotion to God. Two years earlier, God had informed Zechariah of His anger against the people of Judah for the centuries of disobedience and unfaithfulness toward Him.

“I, the LORD, was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.’ Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’

“Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’” – Zechariah 1:2-6 NLT

Yet, despite God’s repeated outpourings of grace and mercy, the people remained less than enthusiastic about their commitments to Him. Many simply went through the motions, carrying out their devotions to God out of a sense of duty rather than delight. This had been a common problem among the Israelites for generations; something God had pointed out through the prophet Isaiah.

“These people say they are mine.
They honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
And their worship of me
    is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.” – Isaiah 29:13 NLT

Sadly, not much had changed. While Zechariah was overseeing the work on the Temple, a contingent of Jews from the nearby town of Bethel arrived in Jerusalem seeking spiritual advice from “the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets” (Zechariah 7:3 NLT). These men, led by Sharezer and Regem-melech, were looking for an answer to a question regarding fasting.

“Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?” – Zechariah 7:3 NLT

The identities of Sharezer and Regem-melech are unclear, but their names are of Babylonian origin, which suggests that they were Jews who had been born during the Babylonian exile. Their names suggest that their families held a certain affinity for Darius the King and enjoyed a degree of comfort during their exile in Babylon. Sharezer means “protect the king” and Regem-melech means “king’s friend.” But now they were living in Bethel and had come to Jerusalem seeking godly counsel about a certain religious rite they had practiced. It seems that they were seeking permission to end this ritual.

But God had only decreed one day of fasting for the people of Israel, as outlined in the Book of Leviticus.

“On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves. Neither native-born Israelites nor foreigners living among you may do any kind of work. This is a permanent law for you. On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the LORD’s presence from all your sins. It will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. This is a permanent law for you.” – Leviticus 16:29-31 NLT

During their 70 years in exile, the people of Judah had taken it upon themselves to institute four additional fasts that God had not required. Yahweh mentions them in a subsequent message to Zechariah.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.” – Zechariah 8:19 ESV

These fasts were intended to be annual reminders to the people of Judah of the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem. But now that the exiles had returned, Jerusalem was being rebuilt, and the Temple was under construction, these men from Bethel wanted to know if these fasts were still necessary. It was a legitimate question but exposed the hypocrisy of those who posed it.

“What may have appeared to be an innocent question about the propriety of fasting was instead a question fraught with hypocrisy, as YHWH’s response puts beyond any doubt. It therefore appears that the query to Zechariah by the Bethelites may not have been so much a matter of piety as it was of posturing. May it not be that the delegation was trying more to impress the prophet than to gain instruction from him?” – Eugene H. Merrill,  An Exegetical Commentary: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Yahweh did not allow Zechariah to be fooled by their carefully crafted question. Instead, He exposed the true spirit behind their request.

“During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting?” – Zechariah 7:5 NLT

Had their sorrow emanated from the loss of their relationship with Yahweh or was it merely a display of self-centered pity over their adverse conditions in Babylon? According to God, the four annual fasts were void of remorse or repentance. They had become little more than religious rituals and posturing displays of self-righteousness.

God had warned the prophet Ezekiel about the duplicitous nature of the people of Judah. The very people to whom Ezekiel was commissioned to deliver God’s message of pending judgment would display a hypocritical and half-hearted response to his calls for repentance and reform.

“Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the prophet tell us what the Lord is saying!’ So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money. You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it!” – Ezekiel 33:30-32 NLT

As far as God was concerned, nothing had changed. Even after their release from captivity in Babylon and return to the land of Judah, the people remained just as insincere and deceptive.

“…even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves? Isn’t this the same message the Lord proclaimed through the prophets in years past when Jerusalem and the towns of Judah were bustling with people, and the Negev and the foothills of Judah were well populated?’” – Zechariah 7:6-7 NLT

Their nearly 70 years in captivity had done little to reform their hearts. And while God had been gracious to extend mercy and allow them to return to the land of promise, they were still reticent to keep their covenant commitments to Him.

So, God gave Zechariah a message to deliver to Sharezer, Regem-melech, and the rest of the people of Judah. While they had come asking questions about fasting, God delivered a reminder about His oft-repeated expectations of righteous behavior.

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.” – Zechariah 7:9-10 NLT

This was not new information. God had been sending His prophets with the same message for hundreds of years.

No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8 NLT

“This is what the LORD says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!” – Jeremiah 22:3 NLT

Those who are honest and fair,
    who refuse to profit by fraud,
    who stay far away from bribes,
who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
    who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
these are the ones who will dwell on high.
    The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress.
Food will be supplied to them,
    and they will have water in abundance. – Isaiah 33:15-16 NLT

Yet, God points out that His people had refused to hear and heed the words of His prophets.

“Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.” – Zechariah 7:11-12 NLT

As a result, He “scattered them among the distant nations, where they lived as strangers. Their land became so desolate that no one even traveled through it. They turned their pleasant land into a desert” (Zechariah 7:14 NLT).

None of this was late-breaking news to Sharezer, Regem-melech, and their companions. They were well aware of Judah’s sordid past and the 70 years their ancestors spent in exile. But God wanted this message to sink in. What He had done once before, He could do again. His expectations for righteous behavior had not diminished in any way. He still demanded that His people judge fairly, show mercy, and extend kindness to one another. They were to care for the downtrodden and disenfranchised among them. They were to do what was right in the eyes of God.

This wasn't about fasting and feasting or sacrifices and sacred rites. It was about obedience and faithfulness. God demanded heart change, not rule-keeping. He expected behavior that flowed from a belief in His goodness and greatness. He wanted His people to love as they had been loved. Anything less was unacceptable – even their sacrifices, offerings, celebrations, and worship.

“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams
    and the fat of fattened cattle.
I get no pleasure from the blood
    of bulls and lambs and goats.
When you come to worship me,
    who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?
Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts;
    the incense of your offerings disgusts me!
As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath
    and your special days for fasting—
they are all sinful and false.
    I want no more of your pious meetings.
I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.
    They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!
When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.
    Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
    for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.
Wash yourselves and be clean!
    Get your sins out of my sight.
    Give up your evil ways.
Learn to do good.
    Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
    Defend the cause of orphans.
    Fight for the rights of widows.” – Isaiah 1:11-17 NLT

Going through the motions would never satisfy the expectations of God. Half-hearted obedience could never please the One who ldemanded whole-hearted commitment to His will.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Coming King and Priest

9 And the word of the Lord came to me: 10 “Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go the same day to the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah. 11 Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’ 14 And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord as a reminder to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.

15 “And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.” – Zechariah 6:9-15 ESV

With the eight visions completed, Zechariah received an oracle from the LORD instructing him to perform a symbolic coronation. Much of what Zechariah was shown in the visions had to do with Israel’s distant future, including the judgment of her enemies (Zechariah 6:1-8). Chapter 3 revealed the purification of Joshua the high priest, symbolizing the renewal of the priestly ministry. 

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.” – Zechariah 3:7 NLT

God was foreshadowing a future day when the priesthood of Israel would play a significant role in the spiritual restoration of the nation.

“I will remove the sins of this land in a single day. And on that day, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit with you peacefully under your own grapevine and fig tree.” – Zechariah 3:10 NLT

In chapter 4, Yahweh emphasized the role of Zerubbabel, the civil administrator of the nation of Judah. In a sense, he served as the de facto king of Judah, overseeing the physical well-being of the people as they struggled to restore Jerusalem and rebuild their lives in the promised land. Zechariah was given a vision of the golden lampstand and the two olive trees. When Zechariah inquired about the trees, he was told, “They represent the two anointed ones who stand in the court of the LORD of all the earth” (Zechariah 4:14 NLT). This rather cryptic response emphasizes the two offices of priest and king and their unified nature in the future kingdom.

With the visions completed, Yahweh provides Zechariah with a rather strange assignment.

“Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah will bring gifts of silver and gold from the Jews exiled in Babylon. As soon as they arrive, meet them at the home of Josiah son of Zephaniah.” – Zechariah 6:10 NLT

These three men had recently arrived from Babylon bearing expensive gifts that were likely intended to finance the construction of the Temple. But Zechariah is ordered to take the men and their tribute to the home of Josiah the high priest. A lot is going on in this passage that bears a closer look. While no details are given as to the identities of these three men, their names are significant. Heldai means “The Enduring One.” Tobijah can be translated as “The LORD is good” and Jedaiah means “God cares.” Each of their names points to a distinguishing characteristic of Yahweh.

Secondly, they had recently arrived from Bethlehem bearing gifts. This brings to mind the story of the “wise men from the east” found in the Gospel of Matthew.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2 ESV

The Greek word translated as “wise men” is magi which the Babylonians and Persians used to describe their astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, soothsayers, magicians, and sorcerers. It is doubtful that Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah practiced the occult arts, but their recent arrival from Babylon bearing gifts foreshadows the future coming of the wise men. They too would bring expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

The magi, having seen a sign in the sky that seemed to portend an important event, conducted a search of the ancient religious texts and found the words written by the prophet Micah.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
    whose origins are in the distant past,
    will come from you on my behalf.
The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies
    until the woman in labor gives birth.
Then at last his fellow countrymen
    will return from exile to their own land.
And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
Then his people will live there undisturbed,
    for he will be highly honored around the world.
   And he will be the source of peace. – Micah 5:2-5 NLT

This discovery fueled their curiosity and motivated their journey. But little did Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah know that their gifts would be used for something other than the Temple.

With the three recent arrivals in tow, Zechariah went to Joshua’s house where he took the gold and silver and crafted a crown. He then placed the crown on the head of Joshua the high priest and pronounced the following blessing.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD. It is he who shall build the temple of the LORD and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” – Zechariah 6:12-13 ESV

Again, there are a lot of details in this passage that could easily be overlooked. First, the oracle mentions “the Branch,” which God foreshadowed in chapter 3.

“Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.” – Zechariah 3:8 ESV

The prophet Jeremiah used this same designation when referring to a future descendant of King David who would rule and reign upon his throne.

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” – Jeremiah 23:5-6 ESV

“In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.  In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’’ – Jeremiah 33:15-16 ESV

This was all in keeping with the promise God gave to David concerning an heir who would one day sit on his throne and rule over an everlasting kingdom.

“I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” – 2 Samuel 7:12-13 ESV

Jesus was that descendant, having been born of the tribe of Judah and through the line of David (Matthew 1; Luke 3). The apostle Paul referred to Jesus as God’s Son, “who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:3-4 ESV). In the Book of Revelation, Jesus refers to Himself as “the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16 ESV).

Jesus was the Branch who “sprouted” from the tree of David and the prophet Ezekiel was given a vision of the majestic glory of this future branch.

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches.” – Ezekiel 17:22-23 NLT

So, as Zechariah crafts a crown of silver and gold and places it on the head of Joshua the high priest, there is far more going on than he even realizes. This symbolic act of crowning the high priest is weighted with meaning. As Zechariah crowns Joshua he boldly proclaims, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both’” (Zechariah 6:12-13 ESV).

Even Joshua must have been at a loss as to what was taking place. It was Zerubbabel’s job to oversee the construction of the Temple, not his. Why was Zechariah placing that responsibility on his shoulders?

But Joshua was merely a stand-in for the greater high priest to come. This ceremony of crowning the high priest as king was meant to foreshadow the coming of the Messiah, who would be the priest-king. The Book of Hebrews provides an explanation for Jesus’ designation as this hybrid ruler over the people of God. The author of Hebrews uses a story from the Book of Genesis to introduce a rather obscure character named Melchizedek, who is described as the king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High” (Hebrews 7:1; Genesis 14:18).

According to the author of Hebrews, “The name Melchizedek means ‘king of justice,’ and king of Salem means ‘king of peace’ (Hebrews 7:2 NLT). Melchizedek was the king of what would later become Jerusalem. He was also a priest of Yahweh but not a descendant of Levi. He was a priest of a different order and Jesus was to follow in his footsteps.

Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. – Hebrews 7:16-19 NLT

Jesus would combine the offices of priest and king, serving as the perfect and complete leader for the people of God. With His death and in His role as the high priest, Jesus offered the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the sins of mankind.

Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. – Hebrews 7:27 NLT

And because God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Him back to life, Jesus lives forever and “his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf” (Hebrews 7:24-25 NLT).

He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. – Hebrews 7:26 NLT

Zechariah is told that the Branch “shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne” (Zechariah 6:13 ESV). Once again, God is foreshadowing future events concerning the coming Messiah. In his gospel account, John records Jesus making the following statement to the Jewish religious leaders:

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” – John 2:19 NLT

They understood Him to be speaking of the literal Temple, but John points out, “when Jesus said ‘this temple,’ he meant his own body” (John 2:21 NLT). Jesus was the Temple of God. He was God in human flesh. Jesus would later tell the woman at the well, “the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem…indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21, 23 NLT).

The oracle ends with the following words:

“…those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.” – Zechariah 6:15 ESV

This promise carries a now-not-yet aspect to it. Zerubbabel and the people of Judah would complete the physical Temple. But God had something far greater in mind. He is predicting the coming of the Church, the true temple of God; a fact that the apostle Paul makes clear.

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. – Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

You Can Count On God

1 Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze. 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, 3 the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses—all of them strong. 4 Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go toward the south country.” 7 When the strong horses came out, they were impatient to go and patrol the earth. And he said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. 8 Then he cried to me, “Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country.” – Zechariah 6:1-8 ESV

In this final vision, Zechariah is shown what appears to be four chariots pulled by teams of red, black, white, and dappled horses. As Zechariah looks on, these instruments of war pass between two bronze mountains without the aid of any charioteers. They appear to be driverless but are not without a sense of direction or purpose. In fact, the angel asserts that they have come from the presence of the LORD and are on a mission. There are obvious similarities between this last vision and the first one Zechariah was shown. Both include horses of different colors.

“I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.” – Zechariah 1:8 ESV

In this opening vision, Zechariah was shown a heavenly messenger sent by Yahweh “to patrol the earth” (Zechariah 1:10 ESV). The mission had been completed because Zechariah heard the announcement, “We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest” (Zecharaiah 1:11 ESV). Their work was done and they rested in a grove of myrtle trees. But in the last of the eight visions, the horses have left the presence of Yahweh and just beginning their mission.

“These are the four spirits of heaven going out after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.” – Zechariah 6:10 NET

They are described as rûaḥ, a Hebrew word that can be translated as “winds” or “spirits.” Given the context, it makes sense to view these chariots as divine emanations from God. They have been sent by Yahweh and commanded to “Go, patrol the earth” (Zechariah 6:7 ESV). As Zechariah looks on, the chariots head north and south. The chariots pulled by the black and white horses head to the north country, while the chariot pulled by the team of dappled horses makes its way to the south country.

The nation of Israel occupied a narrow sliver of land between the Mediterranean Sea on the west and the Arabian Desert on the east. Over the centuries, Israel’s enemies had invaded its borders from one of these two directions. So, the chariots were sent to the north and south but were expected to extend their mission beyond Israel’s borders. Their “patrol” would eventually take them to Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria, all sworn enemies of Israel. The mission of the horseman in Chapter 1 resulted in a pronouncement of peace. All was well in the land of Judah. But the chariots of the eighth vision appear to be on a mission of a different sort. They will bring peace but only after divine judgment is carried.

The angel describes the horses as strong and “impatient to go and patrol the earth” (Zechariah 1:7 ESV). They are literally chomping at the bit. In antiquity, the horse was revered for its power and ferocity in battle. These beautiful creatures could transform into devastating weapons of mass destruction, wreaking havoc against enemy infantry. Harnessed to a chariot, horses were the equivalent of a tank in modern warfare. 

The Book of Job records God’s eloquent description of the horse’s unique affinity and disposition for combat.

“Have you given the horse its strength
    or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?
Did you give it the ability to leap like a locust?
    Its majestic snorting is terrifying!
It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength
    when it charges out to battle.
It laughs at fear and is unafraid.
    It does not run from the sword.
The arrows rattle against it,
    and the spear and javelin flash.
It paws the ground fiercely
    and rushes forward into battle when the ram’s horn blows.
It snorts at the sound of the horn.
    It senses the battle in the distance.
    It quivers at the captain’s commands and the noise of battle.” – Job 39:19-25 NLT

That these horses and their chariots were intended to carry out God's judgment is made clear by verse 8.

“Look, those who went north have vented the anger of my Spirit there in the land of the north.” – Zechariah 6:8 NLT

Twenty years earlier, in 539 B.C., the Babylonians had fallen to the Persians. God had already meted out His wrath against the nation that had invaded and destroyed Judah. But His judgment was not yet complete. The Egyptians and Medo-Persians would also have to pay for their constant harassment of God’s people.

It’s interesting to note that the black, white, and dappled horses convey their chariots on their assigned routes but the chariot pulled by the red horses is not mentioned. The angel doesn’t announce its destination. There has been much speculation as to the meaning of the horses’ colors. Some have suggested that the red horses stand for war and bloodshed, while the black horses symbolize death. The white horses represent victory and the dappled horses stand for plague and disease. Together, these horses and their chariots display the multifaceted and devastating nature of God’s pending judgment against the nations.

As Zechariah looks on, the chariots and their horses are just beginning their assignments. They have passed between the two bronze mountains on their way to their final destinations. Some have speculated that these mountains represent Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives. But the more logical explanation is found in chapter 14 of Zechariah’s prophecy.

Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you! I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and the rest will be left among the ruins of the city.

Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him. – Zechariah 14:1-7 NLT

The Mount of Olives was where Jesus ascended back into heaven after His final post-resurrection appearance to His disciples (Acts 1:9-12). The angels assured the disciples that Jesus would one day return to that very same spot and complete the mission He had been given by His Heavenly Father. While His departure from earth had been in relative obscurity with only His disciples as witnesses, His return will be so impactful that the Mount of Olives will split in two. His second coming will bring judgment to the earth as God’s heavenly army dispenses divine wrath on all those who rejected His Son’s offer of salvation and opposed His right to rule and reign.

Zechariah was given a glimpse into the distant future when God will send His Son to earth a second time. On this occasion, Jesus will not come as an innocent baby in a manger, but as a conquering King riding a white horse and meting out judgment against the enemies of God. Centuries later, the apostle John was given a vision of this end times event.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. – Revelation 19:11-16 NLT

Zechariah was not privileged to know all the details concerning God’s coming judgment. The explanations he received from the angel were cryptic and incomplete but he could rest assured that God had a plan in place that would be fulfilled in a timely manner. Later in this book, Zechariah will receive and record a powerful promise from God concerning the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.

And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped.

All the land from Geba, north of Judah, to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become one vast plain. But Jerusalem will be raised up in its original place and will be inhabited all the way from the Benjamin Gate over to the site of the old gate, then to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses. And Jerusalem will be filled, safe at last, never again to be cursed and destroyed. – Zechariah 14:9-11 NLT

The Temple still needed to be completed. The land of Judah remained under foreign control. Jerusalem was still a relative ghost town with a small population and no protective walls. Yet, God was at work because He had plans for His people.

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” – Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT

They were back in the land but God had far more in store for them than they could ever have imagined. The days ahead would be fraught with difficulty but God wanted Zechariah to know that the future was bright because His will would be done. His plan promises would be fulfilled and His plans for the people of God would be carried out just as He had said.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

God’s Ultimate Victory Over Wickedness

5 Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, “Lift your eyes and see what this is that is going out.” 6 And I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the basket that is going out.” And he said, “This is their iniquity in all the land.” 7 And behold, the leaden cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting in the basket! 8 And he said, “This is Wickedness.” And he thrust her back into the basket, and thrust down the leaden weight on its opening.

9 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven. 10 Then I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they taking the basket?” 11 He said to me, “To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it. And when this is prepared, they will set the basket down there on its base.” – Zechariah 5:5-11 ESV

In the previous vision, Zechariah was shown a super-sized scroll containing the names of all those guilty of theft and swearing. Due to its enormous dimensions and subject matter, this scroll likely contained the names of every person living in Judah, including Zechariah, Zerubbabel, and Joshua. In a real sense, the entire nation stood condemned before Yahweh, because each of them was guilty of robbing Him of glory and failing to keep the oath they had sworn to obey His commands. Zerubbabel had led a small contingent of Judahites back to Judah for the express purpose of rebuilding the Temple and yet, the Temple remained unfinished. So God sent a message to Zerubbabel through Haggai the prophet.

“Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?” – Haggai 1:4 NLT

They had failed to keep their word. The whole reason for their return was to build a house for God, but they had stolen from Yahweh by using their time and resources to build homes for themselves. So, God warned them to change their ways or suffer the consequences. He demanded heart change that results in transformed actions. Failure to do so would bring judgment and removal.

But Zechariah's visions were far from over. With the image of the scroll still in his mind, Zechariah looks up and sees a large basket. The Hebrew word is 'êp̄â or ephah, which was a unit of measurement. This basket or receptacle was a common tool of commerce used to measure goods for sale. It served as an ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure, roughly equivalent to a bushel, or approximately 5.8 gallons. Like the scroll, the basket was probably oversized and unrecognizable to Zechariah because it didn't have the dimensions of a normal ephah. In fact, this ephah was large enough to contain “the sins of everyone throughout the land” (Zechariah 5:6 NLT).

But as Zechariah looked on, the angel ordered the leaden lid of the basket to be lifted.  Inside was a woman who the angel describes as “Wickedness.” She is meant to symbolize the iniquity of the people and represents the allure of evil that draws them away from God. Proverbs 6 contains the words of a father encouraging his son to listen to his instructions. He is attempting to prepare his son to face the temptations of the world, which he compares to an evil, adulterous woman.

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
    and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
to preserve you from the evil woman,
    from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
    and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes. – Proverbs 6:23-25 ESV

The previous Proverbs contains an equally negative description of this “wicked” woman.

For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,
    and her speech is smoother than oil,
but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
    sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
    her steps follow the path to Sheol;
she does not ponder the path of life;
    her ways wander, and she does not know it. – Proverbs 5:3-6 ESV

This image of the seductive and sin-tempting woman is found throughout Scripture. In the Book of Deuteronomy, God warns the Israelites not to give their sons in marriage to the daughters of the Canaanites, because, “they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you” (Deuteronomy 7:4 BSB).

The Book of Ecclesiastes also paints a less-than-flattering picture of this female icon of sexual promiscuity and moral degradation.

I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. – Ecclesiastes 7:26 NLT

It should not be overlooked that both Ecclesiastes and Proverbs were authored by Solomon, the great king of Israel. As the son of David, Solomon succeeded his father to the throne of Israel and was blessed by God with great wealth and wisdom. But he had an Achilles Heel: His love for women. God had prohibited the kings of Israel from acquiring many wives for themselves because these women would end up distracting the king from his commitment to God and his concerns for the kingdom (Deuteronomy 17:17 ESV).

The Book of 1 Kings describes what happened to Solomon.

The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. – 1 Kings 11:2-3 NLT

So when Solomon warned about the allure of the “seductive woman,” he did so from personal experience.

The Book of Revelation also provides a final, climactic warning about the allure of “wickedness.” In chapter 17, the apostle John describes a vision he was given of “the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters” (Revelation 17:1 NLT). John is told that this “woman,” who is obviously symbolic, has negatively impacted on the world.

“The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality.” – Revelation 17:2 NLT

John is then given a vision of another woman, “sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it” (Revelation 17:3 NLT).

The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality. A mysterious name was written on her forehead: “Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World.” I could see that she was drunk—drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her in complete amazement. – Revelation 17:4-5 NLT

From the days of Solomon to the end times, the “wickedness” that allures and entices the godly will continue to spread and grow. Even before the second coming of Christ, the seductive woman will attempt to seduce and destroy all those who believe in Him.

Yet, in his vision, Zechariah watched as two divine beings flew into view, picking up the basket and carrying it away. “Wickedness,” which symbolized the iniquity of the people, was being removed, but Zechariah was curious about its destination. The angel informed him that the basket and its evil content were being taken “To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it. And when this is prepared, they will set the basket down there on its base” (Zechariah 17:11 NLT). 

The land of Shinar was where Babylon was located. This imagery of the stork-like beings taking the sin-filled basket to Babylon was meant to remind Zechariah that God had punished the people of Judah for their sins by sending them into exile in Babylon. But they had returned. Their sins had been forgiven and God was giving them a second chance. But there is another sense in which this vision points to the future. Zechariah is being told that the rise of wickedness will ultimately culminate in the land of Shinar. In the end times, during the Great Tribulation, wickedness will grow rampant on the earth, and, under the reign of the Antichrist, the people of God will suffer great persecution.

In Zechariah’s day, wickedness would continue to be an ever-present problem. But God would not pour out His wrath as He did before. He would remove the penalty for wickedness, delaying its execution for a later date. Once again, John was given insight into these last-day events. God has a plan to deal with “wickedness” once and for all.

“Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen!
    She has become a home for demons.
She is a hideout for every foul spirit,
    a hideout for every foul vulture
    and every foul and dreadful animal.
For all the nations have fallen
    because of the wine of her passionate immorality.
The kings of the world
    have committed adultery with her.
Because of her desires for extravagant luxury,
    the merchants of the world have grown rich.” – Revelation 18:2-3 NLT

And the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke rising from her charred remains. They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out,

“How terrible, how terrible for you,
    O Babylon, you great city!
In a single moment
    God’s judgment came on you.” – Revelation 18:9-10 NLT

Zechariah was given a vision of God’s grand plan for the sins of the world. He had no idea what it all meant but he could have confidence that God knew what He was doing. The future was secure. All Zechariah needed to do was convey God’s message to the people and ensure they kept their commitment to rebuilding the Temple. God would take care of the rest.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Robbing God of Glory

1 Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.” 3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side. 4 I will send it out, declares the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.” – Zechariah 5:1-4 ESV

In God’s economy, the roles of king and priest were essential for maintaining the civil and moral order of the nation. Together, Zerubbabel and Joshua were responsible for rebuilding the Temple and re-instituting the sacrificial system of Israel. But Yahweh knew that the Temple could not guarantee an obedient people and the sacrifices could devolve into repetitious rituals that held no meaning and made no difference in the people’s behavior.

The reason the people of Judah had spent 70 years exiled in Babylon was because of their sinfulness and disobedience. Jeremiah the prophet had warned them that the Temple could not save them from God’s righteous wrath.

“Even now, if you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land. But don’t be fooled by those who promise you safety simply because the LORD’s Temple is here. They chant, ‘The LORD’s Temple is here! The LORD’s Temple is here!’ But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice; only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols. Then I will let you stay in this land that I gave to your ancestors to keep forever.” – Jeremiah 7:4-7 NLT

The prophet Isaiah delivered a stinging indictment against God’s chosen people for their faux-faithfulness and hypocritical display of ritualistic and heartless worship.

…the Lord says,
    “These people say they are mine.
They honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
And their worship of me
    is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.” – Isaiah 29:13 NLT

God had warned them of the consequences for their disingenuous displays of adoration and rule-keeping.

“…I will bring disaster upon you,
    and there will be much weeping and sorrow.…

“I will be your enemy,
    surrounding Jerusalem and attacking its walls.
I will build siege towers
    and destroy it.” – Isaiah 29:2-3 NLT

God expected both heart transformation and behavior modification. His Law was intended to be a road map for righteous living. The sacrificial system was graciously provided as a means for maintaining a right standing with Him when the sins were inevitably committed. 

In his role as governor, Zerubbabel was expected to deal with matters related to law and order. He was responsible for policing and enforcement of all civil laws designed to ensure the community’s safety and well-being. 

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
    But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. – Proverbs 28:2 NLT

As the high priest, Joshua was responsible for fostering the spiritual well-being of the nation. He and his fellow priests, along with the Levites, were to care for the Temple and orchestrate the sacrifices and feasts prescribed by God. But they were also to serve as judges, providing legal counsel and judicial decisions on difficult cases.

“Suppose a case arises in a local court that is too hard for you to decide—for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder or only of manslaughter, or a difficult lawsuit, or a case involving different kinds of assault. Take such legal cases to the place the Lord your God will choose, and present them to the Levitical priests or the judge on duty at that time. They will hear the case and declare the verdict. You must carry out the verdict they announce and the sentence they prescribe at the place the Lord chooses. You must do exactly what they say.” – Deuteronomy 17:8-10 NLT

Zerubbabel and Joshua represent the religious and civil leadership of the nation. As God’s appointed caretakers, they were expected to shepherd His flock. This would require equal amounts of love and discipline, something their predecessors failed to provide.

“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the LORD.” – Jeremiah 23:1 NLT

All of these factors provide important background to what takes place in chapter 5. In his sixth vision, Zechariah is shown a giant scroll, measuring 30 feet in length and 15 feet in height. On one side of this massive parchment is a list of all those who have committed theft. The other side contains the names of all who are guilty of swearing. This massive scroll contains only the name of thieves and those who pledge false oaths. But why did God focus on these two transgressions? Aren’t there far worse crimes that deserve God’s attention and judgment?

It seems that these two categories of sin both deal with taking what something that belongs to another. The seventh commandment clearly forbade stealing, and God but in the Book of Leviticus God expands His list of prohibitions.

“Do not steal. Do not deceive or cheat one another. Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord. Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay. Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the Lord. Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.” – Leviticus 19:11-16 NLT

Stealing and swearing seem to serve as broad categories that encompass all sins of speech and action. There are a lot of ways to steal from someone else. You can take their property and possessions but you can also rob them of their reputation. An employer can commit theft by failing to pay his workers a decent wage or by withholding payment for purely selfish reasons. But as the Leviticus passage makes clear, our words can also rob others of their joy, honor, dignity, and self-worth.

Later in this same book, God will expand on this topic of theft and swearing.

“I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. 16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.” – Zechariah 8:15-17 NLT

But there appears to more here than meets the eye. This scroll and the names of the guilty it contains is meant to get Zechariah’s attention. Its sheer size conveys the number of names that Zechariah saw, and he must have recognized many of them. Perhaps he saw his own name in the list. It seems likely that everyone living in Judah at the time would have found their name written on both sides of the scroll.

In the Book of Malachi, God issues a stern warning to the descendants of Jacob, calling them change their behavior. He accuses them of stealing from Him and they seem shocked by His words.

“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.” – Malachi 3:6-9 ESV

The people were guilty of short-changing God. They had repeatedly failed to give the required tithes and offerings, leaving the storehouses of the Temple empty. And God declares the entire nation to be guilty of this crime.

But that wasn’t the only transgression God’s people had committed. According to the Book of Numbers, God outlawed the making of false or fraudulently pledges to Him.

“This is what the Lord has commanded: A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.” – Numbers 30:1-2 NLT

The Book of Numbers reiterates this command.

“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin.” – Deuteronomy 23:21-21 NLT

Swearing an oath to God and failing to honor it was a form of stealing. It was to rob God of what was rightfully His. Jesus picked up on this theme of vows and swearing in His Sermon on the Mount. As with all His other saying in this famous sermon, Jesus took the Old Testament teachings on vows, swearing, and oaths and made them even more practical.

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:33-37 NLT

Stealing and swearing were common practice among the people of God in Zechariah’s day, and Zerubbabel and Joshua were far from guiltless. All stood before God condemned of robbing Him of glory, cheating Him of what was rightfully His, and offering false assurances of adoration and praise to cover up for their transgressions. But God wanted His people to know that He took their sins seriously and would deal with them harshly.

“…my curse will remain in that house and completely destroy it—even its timbers and stones.” – Zechariah 5:4 NLT

Yahweh wanted true heart change. He would not be satisfied with false piety, faux faithfulness, or fraudulent forms of worship. And God’s expectations remain just as high today. The apostle Paul reminded the believers in Thessalonica that God demanded words and actions that reflected true devotion and a commitment to holiness. Their behavior was to reflect their beliefs.

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Little Is Much When God Is In It

8 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “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. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

“These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.” 11 Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” 12 And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” 13 He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” – Zechariah 4:8-14 ESV

In 538 B.C., Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest had led the first wave of exiles who returned to Judah from Babylon. Their primary responsibility was to rebuild the Temple that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar’s forces when Jerusalem had fallen. The Persian king, Cyrus, had issued a decree ordering the Temple’s

“The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.” – Ezra 1:2-4 NLT

However, after arriving in Judah, they made little progress on the Temple. It took two years just to lay the foundation and then opposition from the Samaritans led to another delay (Ezra 4:1-4). So, 18 years after Cyrus issued his decree, Zerubbabel received a message from Yahweh declaring His dissatisfaction with the unfinished state of the House of God.

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. It’s because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. I have called for a drought on your fields and hills—a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.”– Haggai 1:7-11 NLT 

During that same time, Yahweh provided Zechariah with a more positive message to deliver to Zerubbabel.

“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.” – Zechariah 4:9 NLT

Yahweh wanted Zerubbabel to know that his efforts would produce positive results. The “mountainous” task of rebuilding the Temple would be accomplished with the LORD’s help. Zerubbabel, who had laid the cornerstone of the Temple, would also lay the capstone. At that momentous occasion, the people would recognize the sovereign hand of God and shout, “Grace, grace to it!” (Zechariah 4:7 ESV). The grace of God would make the Temple’s construction possible and from this House of God, more grace would flow for generations to come.

Yahweh reminded Zerubbabel not to “despise these small beginnings” (Zechariah 4:10 NLT). Yes, the work would be difficult and the Samaritan resistance would continue, but if the people of God remained faithful and completed their task, they would one day rejoice.

“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” – Zechariah 4:10 NLT

The Hebrew word translated as “plumbline” could also refer to a “large stone.” The people will have the privilege and joy of seeing Zerubbabel lay the final capstone for the completed project. Four years later, the people got to experience what God predicted.

The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the people who had returned from exile. During the dedication ceremony for the Temple of God, 100 young bulls, 200 rams, and 400 male lambs were sacrificed. And 12 male goats were presented as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then the priests and Levites were divided into their various divisions to serve at the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as prescribed in the Book of Moses. – Ezra 6:16-18 NLT

As Zechariah listened to God’s encouraging message of future success, the angel provided a rather out-of-place explanation for the earlier vision. He states, “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:10 ESV). This refers to the seven lamps surrounding the bowl on the top of the golden lampstand. Zechariah had wanted to know what the vision meant, and now the angel explains that the lamps symbolize God’s insight into all things. Seven is the number of perfection and God knows and sees all perfectly and clearly. He can see the past and the future simultaneously. Nothing is hidden from His sight, so He can assure Zechariah that the Temple will be completed.

But now, Zechariah’s curiosity has peaked. He wants to know more, so he peppers the angel with questions.

“What are these two olive trees on each side of the lampstand, and what are the two olive branches that pour out golden oil through two gold tubes?”– Zechariah 4:11-12 NLT

The angel expresses surprise at Zechariah’s line of questioning, asking, “Do you not know what these are?” (Zechariah 4:13 ESV). The angel considers the meaning to be so obvious that he is shocked at Zechariah’s confusion. But he refuses to make it easy for the perplexed prophet.

“These are the two anointed ones who stand by the LORD of the whole earth.” – Zechariah 4:14 ESV

It’s almost as if the angel is waiting for the lightbulb to illuminate over Zechariah’s head. In effect, the angel doesn't answer Zechariah’s question directly. He describes the two trees as “the two anointed ones,” but this answer doesn't provide Zechariah with much clarity. It simply begs another question: Who are the two anointed ones? But the angel believes Zechariah should be able to discern the answer to his own question. He and Joshua are the two olive trees that stand on either side of the golden lampstand. Zechariah is the God-appointed governor of Judah, while Joshua serves as the God-anointed high priest. Together they represent the offices of priest and king. In a sense, these two men are branches in their respective trees, pouring out the oil of the Spirit of God into the bowl on top of the lampstand of God. These two men had been divinely ordained to serve the people of God by carrying out His will.

Zerubbabel and Joshua serve as representatives of the kingly and priestly roles that will one day be combined in the reign of Christ. In chapter 3, God told Joshua that he and his fellow priests were signs of a greater priest to come.

“Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.” – Zechariah 3:8 ESV

The author of Hebrews revealed Jesus to be the fulfillment of this promise.

…we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT

According to the message the angel Gabriel delivered to Mary, Jesus would also become a king in the line of David.

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”– Luke 1:32-33 ESV

Zerubbabel and Joshua represented the King-Priest who was to come. In their respective roles, they foreshadowed the coming of Messiah. The Book of Hebrews points to Jesus’ role as the priest-king when it compares Him to the Old Testament character, Melchizedek, who was “king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High” (Hebrews 7:1 NLT). The author describes Jesus as “a different priest, who is like Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:15 NLT). With His appearance, “Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed” (Hebrews 7:16 NLT).

Jesus combined the offices of priest and king so that He might provide atonement for the sins of humanity and rule over them in righteousness and, “because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf” (Hebrews 7:24-25 NLT).

He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. – Hebrews 7:26 NLT

In this place of honor, Jesus is also recognized as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the perfect High Priest and all-powerful King.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

Through their obedience to God, Zechariah and Joshua foreshadowed the Branch to come, who would pour out the oil of God’s grace and mercy on undeserving sinners. Zechariah did not grasp the full significance of what he had seen and heard. The angel’s explanation must have seemed cryptic and obscure to the curious and confused prophet. But this message points to the future when God will fulfill all His promises through Jesus Christ, the Prophet, Priest, and King.

Zechariah was not to despise “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10 ESV). He and Joshua were to fulfill their respective roles with faithfulness and diligence, and not according to their own strength. If they were obedient and carried out their divine commissions, God would do His part and carry out His will for the people of Israel and the nations of the world. One day, He would send His Son to complete His grand plan of redemption and set up His Kingdom on earth – all in keeping with God’s promises.

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” – Revelation 11:15 ESV

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

A Light in the Darkness

1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” – Zechariah 4:1-7 ESV

The vision in chapter 3 centered around Joshua the high priest. In this chapter, the fifth vision features Zerubabbel, the governor of Judah. These two men served as the leaders of the remnant community that had returned to the land. They were also responsible for overseeing the construction of the Temple that King Cyrus had authorized and funded (Ezra 1:1-4). 

The former vision accentuated the need for cleansing. As Judah’s top religious leader, Joshua stood as a symbol for the entire nation. The description of his filthy clothes in chapter 3 was meant to symbolize the spiritual state of the people. They had been chosen by God and were expected to live distinctively different lives that set them apart from all the other nations on earth.

“…you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” – Exodus 19:5-6 ESV

But they had failed to keep the covenant they made with God. Generations of Israelites had violated their covenant commitment and proven their unwillingness to remain faithful to God. As a result, He punished them by sending the Babylonians to conquer their land, destroy their capital city, demolish the Temple, and take them into captivity. After 70 years of exile in Babylon, God had allowed a remnant to return. Joshua and Zerubabbel had led the small band of Judahites that returned to the land of promise with intentions to rebuild the Temple. But when Zechariah had these visions, the Temple was only halfway complete.

God’s cleansing of Joshua was a sign that He was willing to forgive the people for their many transgressions against Him. But having been cleansed, they would still need to obey His Law and carry out His command to rebuild the Temple. That is where Zerubbabel came in. As the governor of Judah, he represented the civil authority and was expected to provide the people with godly leadership.

At the end of the previous vision, Zechariah fell into an unconscious state and had to be “awakened” by the angel. The first thing he saw was a golden lampstand with a bowl on top surrounded by seven lamps. On either side of the lampstand stood two olive trees. Since olive oil was the primary source of fuel for lamps, it makes sense that this elaborate golden lampstand was bookended by these trees. 

In Zechariah’s world, there was no electricity, so light was difficult to come by. Lamps were the primary source of light and required oil and constant upkeep. In antiquity, darkness symbolized evil while light represented righteousness and goodness. Light dispelled the darkness, providing illumination and freedom from fear. The prophet Isaiah describes a future day when the darkness of the world will be illuminated by a great light.

The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
    a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
    and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest
    and like warriors dividing the plunder. – Isaiah 9:2-3 NLT

That same chapter goes on to describe the source of that penetrating and joy-producing light.

For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
    will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
    for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    will make this happen! - Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT

This prophetic passage speaks of the coming of the Messiah. In his gospel, the apostle John picked up on this when he identified Jesus as the light that shines in the darkness.

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it. – John 1:1-5 NLT

According to John, Jesus was “the true light, who gives light to everyone” (John 1:9 NLT). He was the fulfillment of all the prophetic promises recorded by men like Isaiah. One of the repeated themes surrounding this coming Messiah was that of darkness and light. In Isaiah 42, the prophet writes about God’s chosen servant in whom His heart delights (Isaiah 42:1). Later in that same chapter, God declares that this servant will display His righteousness, be a symbol of His covenant, and a light to guide the nations (Isaiah 42:6). Then God provides a job description for His chosen servant.

Thus says God, the Lord,
    who created the heavens and stretched them out,
    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
    and spirit to those who walk in it:
“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
    I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
    a light for the nations,
    to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
    from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord; that is my name;
    my glory I give to no other,
    nor my praise to carved idols.” – Isaiah 42:5-8 ESV

Ultimately, Jesus fulfilled this prophetic promises. He became the light to the world. So, ultimately, the light featured in Zechariah’s vision points to Him. But Jesus was a Jew, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Judah, and the rightful heir to David’s throne.

The nation of Israel had been expected to be a light to the world, but they loved the darkness rather than the light. They even rejected “the light of the world” by demanding His crucifixion. But at the time of Zechariah’s vision, God was calling them to repent and return to Him. They needed to complete their job assignment to reclaim possession of the promised land and rebuild the Temple of God. For Jesus to come into the world, the Jewish state needed to exist. For Him to become the light that shines in the darkness, the nation of Israel had to be restored, the city of Jerusalem repopulated, and the Temple rebuilt. Jesus was born a Jew in the small Jewish community of Bethlehem. His entire earthly ministry was dependent upon His Hebrew roots and His access to Jerusalem, the Temple, and the chosen people of God.

By the time He appeared on the scene, the nation of Israel was back on the map but, once again, under the domination of a foreign power. The Temple had been expanded by their pseudo-king, Herod. The sacrificial system was in operation and the people were observing all the feasts, festivals, and required offerings. But when Jesus appeared, He entered into a time of great spiritual darkness and moral depravity. Yet, He described Himself as the light of the world. 

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” – John 8:12 NLT

This vision in Zechariah 4 is difficult to understand and it left the prophet scratching his head in confusion. He asked, “What are these, my lord?” (Zechariah 4:4 ESV). To which the angel responded with surprise, “Do you not know what these are?” (Zechariah 4:5 ESV). Even as a prophet of God, Zechariah had no way of knowing what any of this meant. He was operating at a deficit and had no idea what the lampstand, bowl, lamps, and olive trees symbolized. But the meaning would be made clear in time. For now, the angel simply said, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6 ESV).

Zechariah was given a message to share with Zerubbabel. The task of completing the Temple was formidable and stood before the people of Judah like an insurmountable mountain. They had completed half the work but ran out of steam. The building remained in an unfinished state but God wanted them to know that its completion was not up to them. It would be done by His power. He alone could provide the resources and strength needed to finish the project. God was with them and wanted them to know that He would assist them in their work.

To Zerubbabel and the people, the temple rebuilding project was impossible. It loomed over them like a mountain but God promised to transform that mountain into a plain. As the prophet Jeremiah so aptly put it, “O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” (Jeremiah 32:17 NLT).

The Temple would be rebuilt. The walls of the city would be restored. Jerusalem would be repopulated. The centuries would pass and Mary would become betrothed to Joseph. She would bear a son who would become Immanuel, God with us. The light would shine in the darkness and the hope of the world would make Himself known.

“If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark” – John 12:44-46 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I Will Dwell In Your Midst

6 Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the Lord. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the Lord. 7 Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. 8 For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: 9 “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me. 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. 11 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. 12 And the Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”

13 Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. – Zechariah 2:6-13 ESV

God calls on the remaining exiles in Babylon to return to Judah. He references having scattered them abroad “as the four winds of heaven” (Zechariah 2:6 ESV), along with the citizens of the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet Isaiah recorded God’s intention to return all of His exiled children to the land of promise.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
    I will gather you and your children from east and west.
I will say to the north and south,
    ‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
    from the distant corners of the earth.
Bring all who claim me as their God,
    for I have made them for my glory.
    It was I who created them.’” – Isaiah 43"5-7 NLT

When the Assyrians and Babylonians invaded Israel and Judah, many of the people fled to neighboring countries like Egypt, Moab, Ammon, and Edom. God had warned the people of Judah not to try and escape His judgment by running to Egypt.

“Stay here in this land. If you do, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you. For I am sorry about all the punishment I have had to bring upon you. Do not fear the king of Babylon anymore,” says the Lord. “For I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power. I will be merciful to you by making him kind, so he will let you stay here in your land.” – Jeremiah 42:10-12 NLT

Yet they refused Jeremiah’s message and went to Egypt despite God’s warning.

“If you are determined to go to Egypt and live there, the very war and famine you fear will catch up to you, and you will die there. That is the fate awaiting every one of you who insists on going to live in Egypt. Yes, you will die from war, famine, and disease. None of you will escape the disaster I will bring upon you there.” – Jeremiah 42:15-17 NLT

Now, decades later, God calls all His people to return to the land He gave them as their inheritance. The gracious and compassionate God of Judah and Israel promised to keep His covenant promise and restore them to their former homeland – despite their disobedience and apostasy. He also affirmed the message given to Zechariah in the third vision: “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it” (Zechariah 2:4 ESV). God wanted to repopulate the promised land with the people of the promise: The descendants of Jacob.

Verses 8-9 pose a difficult problem when it comes to interpretation. It isn’t clear who is speaking or who is being referred to in these verses.

For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me.” – Zechariah 2:8-9 ESV

Who was being sent to the nations? Was it Zechariah? Is he referring to yet another vision? Or are these the words of another angelic messenger who will serve as God’s agent of judgment against the nations that plundered Judah and Israel? There is no indication that Zechariah played any kind of disciplinary role against the enemies of Israel. He was a messenger and not a warrior.

These verses are prophetic in nature and refer to the end times when Jesus the Messiah will fulfill them at His second advent. In verse 5 God promises to be a wall of fire around Jerusalem and to reveal His glory among its people. Verse 10 reiterates this promise. 

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord.” – Zechariah 2:10 ESV

But before this can happen, the Messiah must return and complete the work He began with His first advent. Jesus will return to earth a second time, not as a baby in a manger, but as a conquering King leading the heavenly host. The apostle John was given a vision of this future event which he recorded in the Book of Revelation.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. – Revelation 19:11-16 NLT

Chapter 2 of Zechariah provides a look into the far-distant future when God will culminate His covenant promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When God says, “Come away, people of Zion, you who are exiled in Babylon” (Zechariah 2:7 NLT), He refers to the end times when His chosen people will be oppressed by a future Babylon that will be far more powerful and wicked.

“Come away from her, my people.
    Do not take part in her sins,
    or you will be punished with her.
For her sins are piled as high as heaven,
    and God remembers her evil deeds.
Do to her as she has done to others.
    Double her penalty for all her evil deeds.
She brewed a cup of terror for others,
    so brew twice as much for her.
She glorified herself and lived in luxury,
    so match it now with torment and sorrow.
She boasted in her heart,
    ‘I am queen on my throne.
I am no helpless widow,
    and I have no reason to mourn.’
Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day—
    death and mourning and famine.
She will be completely consumed by fire,
    for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.” – Revelation 18:4-8 NLT

This future empire, ruled over by the Antichrist, will make Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon pale in comparison.

“Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen!
She has become a home for demons.
She is a hideout for every foul spirit,
a hideout for every foul vulture
and every foul and dreadful animal.
For all the nations have fallen
because of the wine of her passionate immorality.
The kings of the world
have committed adultery with her.
Because of her desires for extravagant luxury,
the merchants of the world have grown rich.” – Revelation 18:2-3 NLT

During the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist will rise to power and prominence, ruling over a one-world government that stands in opposition to God and uses its vast power to persecute Jews and Christians alike. John was given a frightening vision of this future world power. It appeared as “a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it. The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality” (Revelation 17:3-4 NLT).

On her forehead was inscribed “Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World” (Revelation 17:5 NLT. John writes, “I could see that she was drunk—drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her in complete amazement” (Revelation 17:6 NLT).

In his vision, John received an explanation for the strange sights he had seen.

“The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. They will all agree to give him their power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” – Revelation 17:12-14 NLT

The Antichrist, empowered by Satan himself, will lead a multi-nation coalition against Jesus and His heavenly host. This epic battle will end in defeat when Christ conquers Satan and his forces once and for all.

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies. – Revelation 19:19-21 NLT

With His victory complete, Jesus will set up His earthly Kingdom in Jerusalem, where He will rule in righteousness for a thousand years. This millennial kingdom will be the home of Jews and Gentiles alike and they will have the joy of living under the reign of the King of kings and Lord of Lord.

“I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you.” – Zechariah 2:10-11 NLT

Jesus referred to this day when He told His disciples, “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne” (Matthew 25:31 NLT). The prophet Daniel was also given a vision of this coming day.

I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. – Daniel 7:13-14 NLT

And God told Zechariah that the day would come when He would fulfill all His promises to His chosen people.

“The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.” – Zechariah 2:12-13 NLT

Zechariah never got to see the fulfillment of this promise. Thousands of years have passed and the events predicted in this passage still remain unfulfilled. But God keeps His word. Every promise He had made regarding the people of Judah and their return to the land had come about just as He said. The people had been released from captivity. The Temple was being restored. The walls would soon be rebuilt. The city of Jerusalem would be repopulated. However, two major promises remained unfulfilled: The incarnation of Jesus and His second coming. The return of God’s people to the land of Judah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem were the first steps in God’s plan of redemption and future restoration. Little did Zechariah and his fellow Jews know that they were laying the groundwork for a much grander plan that God had in store for His chosen people and the rest of humanity. Paul speaks of this plan in his letter to the Galatians.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. – Galatians 4:4-7 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Plans for the Future

18 And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns! 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20 Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one raised his head. And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

1 And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! 2 Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” 3 And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him 4 and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. 5 And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” – Zechariah 1:18-2:5 ESV

Verses 18-21 describe Zechariah’s second vision. In the Hebrew Bible, these verses are included at the beginning of chapter 2. This difference in chapter layouts seems to be due to the nature of the vision and its similarity to the third vision contained in chapter 2.

As the sequence of visions began, Zechariah was given a word of hope to share with the people of Judah.

“Shout this message for all to hear: ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong.” – Zechariah 1:14 NLT

Despite their God-imposed exile of 70 years, a remnant of the people of Judah had returned to the land of Judah. But their arrival in the land had been met with opposition and their attempts to rebuild the Temple and restore some semblance of normalcy to the city of Jerusalem had been anything but easy. Yet, Zechariah was to tell the disheartened people of Judah, “The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own” (Zechariah 1:17 NLT).

Not only was God going to bless His chosen people, but He would deal with the nations that had done them harm.

“I am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions.” – Zechariah 1:15 NLT

Verse 18 reveals the details of God’s plans for those nations that “inflicted harm” on His people. Two nations had done irreparable harm to the people of God. The first was Assyria which God used to punish the northern kingdom of Israel for their idolatry and blatant disregard for His Law. The Assyrians invaded Israel in 732 B.C., destroying the capital city of Samaria and taking tens of thousands of Israelite citizens as captives. At that time, Israel was comprised of 10 of the 12 tribes. The remaining two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, constituted the southern kingdom of Judah. While they fared better and lasted longer, they eventually fell to the Babylonians in 586 B.C. They two saw their capital city destroyed, the Temple demolished, and tens of thousands of their people deported back to Babylon as slaves.

In his vision, Zechariah sees four horns. Since there is no mention of animals, the horns likely appeared alone and in pairs. In ancient Near Eastern literature, horns symbolize power and authority. These two sets of horns represent the two nations God used to punish His disobedient people: The Assyrians and Babylonians. But God indicates that both nations were guilty of taking things too far. They overreached their God-ordained authority and “furthered the disaster” (Zechariah 1:15 ESV). In other words, they made matters worse. Now they would pay.

As Zechariah looked, he saw four “craftsmen.” The Hebrew word is ḥārāš, and it carries a wide range of meanings. It can refer to everything from a carpenter or engraver to a blacksmith. But it can also be used figuratively to refer to someone “skillful to destroy,” like a warrior. When Zechariah asks who these men are, he is told, “…these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it” (Zechariah 1:21 ESV).

These individuals may represent kings or nations, but Zechariah is given no further details as to their identity. Some have speculated that they symbolize Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the future Kingdom of God under the rule of the Messiah. The text provides no insight into the identities of these “craftsmen,” but simply states that they will “cast down” the four horns as payback for their role in the fall of Israel and Judah.

Before Zechariah can gather his thoughts and form any more questions, he is shown a third vision. This time, he sees “a man with a measuring line in his hand” (Zechariah 2:1 ESV). The tool the man carried would have been recognizable to Zechariah as a common construction implement. He would have seen it used by the workmen rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. Like a modern-day ruler or measuring tape, this simple device carried markings that ensured precise measurements when cutting wood or stone. It was also used to lay out the foundations of a building before beginning construction. When Zechariah asked the man where he was going, he responded, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length” (Zechariah 2:2 ESV).

It’s important to remember that Jerusalem was in a state of dilapidation and disrepair at this time. It had been abandoned for decades and was little more than a pile of rubble and ruins. But Zechariah and his fellow exiles had returned to restore the city to its former glory. They had begun with the Temple, but it remained in a half-finished state. It would be years before Nehemiah showed up to supervise the rebuilding of the walls. So, when the man stated that he was preparing to measure the city, Zechariah must have been confused. What was he going to measure?

God had already told Zechariah of His intention to rebuild and restore Jerusalem.

“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.” – Zechariah 1:16 ESV

This agent or surveyor was tasked with making all the appropriate measurements so that the construction could begin. God was signaling that the work of rebuilding Jerusalem was His alone. He would make it happen. Not only that, He had plans for Jerusalem’s future that had been carefully crafted according to His exacting standards. These verses are not simply a reference to building a city; they indicate that God has spiritual standards by which He measures His people. A restored and repopulated city means nothing if its residents don’t measure up to God’s righteous standards.

In the Book of Revelation, John has a vision in which he is told to measure the Temple.

“Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers.” – Revelation 11:1 NLT

This Temple is already constructed, so what is John measuring? It would seem that he is checking to see if the Temple meets God’s standards. Does it measure up? Was it built according to God’s specifications? He is also told to count the number of worshipers. Is the building up to divine code and is it filled with the right kind of people? Are they true worshipers or do they worship in vain (Matthew 15:9; Isaiah 29:13)?

God was interested in far more than a well-built city with beautiful buildings, strong walls, and a well-crafted Temple. He wanted people who worshiped Him in spirit and in truth. He was looking to build a city that would be filled with citizens who loved Him and lived in obedience to His will. As God wrapped up this third vision, He gave Zechariah the following message of assurance.

“Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.” – Zechariah 2:4-5 ESV

This promise carries future overtones. In time, Nehemiah would show up and help the people of Judah rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. But God describes something completely different in this message to Zechariah. He assured His prophet that the day will come when the city of Jerusalem will be protected by Him alone. He will be “a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem” (Zechariah 2:5 NLT). No stones will be necessary. No gates will be needed. No watchmen will need to remain vigilant and ready to report the presence of enemies. God will be the source of Jerusalem’s safety and strength. Not only that, He will be “the glory inside the city” (Zechariah 2:5 NLT).

Once again, the apostle John provides a stunning description of this future Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation.

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. – Revelation 21:22-27 NLT

God had plans for His people and the city of Jerusalem. Some of those plans were short-term and involved the rebuilding of the Temple and the walls during the lives of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zechariah. But God had things in store for His chosen people and their beloved capital that would take place long after they were gone. His future plans were filled with promise and a certainty of outcome that could not be questioned.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.