Zechariah 4 brings encouragement for the rebuilding of the temple which will be accomplished by God's help: "Not by might, nor by strength, but by my spirit, says the Lord Almighty... who despises the day of small things?". This message comes from the vision of the gold lampstand and 2 Olive trees. "What are you? O mighty mountain (of challenges and difficulties)? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground". Thus he and all the returned exiles were encouraged that by God's strength the work of the temple would be completed.
Friday, 31 July 2026
Zechariah 3 (résumé): Clean garments for the high priest
Zechariah 3 has a vision of Joshua the High Priest standing before the angel of the Lord while Satan is near at hand to accuse him. "The Lord said to Satan - the Lord rebuke you Satan!" Joshua was wearing filthy clothes so the angel ordered their removal. "See, I have taken away your sin, said the angel, and I will put rich garments on you". Then they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him. And the angel said "walk in my ways and keep my requirements and you will govern my house". Then he said "I am going to bring my servant, the Branch... and I will remove the sin of the land in a single day". Thus was symbolized the renewal of the priesthood post exile.
Zechariah 2 (résumé): A man with a measuring line
In the vision of Zechariah 2 God's protection is focused, the expansion yet to come of Jerusalem, the judgement of the enemy and the coming of the Lord. Zechariah saw a man going to measure Jerusalem and an angel then said that Jerusalem would be without walls to cope with their numbers and that God would protect it with a wall of fire. "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming and will live among you, declares the Lord... Many nations will join and become my people... The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again chose Jerusalem".
Zechariah 1 (résumé): A call to return to the Lord
The prophecy of Zechariah came after the Jews had returned from the Babylonian exile around 520 BC. The prophecy calls the people to repentance, calls then too to rebuild the temple and points to a coming Messiah.
God initially calls the people: "Return to me and I will return to you... turn from your evil ways". God warns the people not to repeat the errors of their forefathers because, as the exile showed, God always judges sin". Then comes a vision of a man riding a red horse among myrtle trees in front of red, brown and white horses. An angel and the man in the trees explain that the horses went round and found the world in peace. Then the angel asked God when he would be merciful to Jerusalem which he had punished for 70 years? God said that the nations had exaggerated with the punishment, but now he would return with mercy to Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt. Then Zechariah saw 4 horns which represent the powers which scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem, and he saw 4 craftsmen sent by God to terrify these oppressive nations. For God will ultimately judge these nations and remove their power.
Haggai 2 (résumé): The promised glory of the new house
Haggai 2 brings a message of encouragement to the rebuilders of the temple who might have felt their work wasn't up to Solomon's high standard. But they are told: "The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will grant peace". Then comes another message showing that holiness is not automatically transferred from one thing to another, and showing that impurity easily spreads, So the people's sin had defiled their sacrifices and work. Thus God had judged them through bad harvests and difficulties, but as from now with their commitment to rebuilding the temple: "From this day on I will bless you". Then finally another message came via Haggai: "I will shake the heavens and the earth... overthrow thrones and shatter kingdoms... I will overthrow chariots and their riders... on that day I will take you Zerubbabel and make you like a signet ring (authority) because I have chosen you, declared the Lord".
Haggai 1 (résumé): A call to build the house of the Lord
This short prophetic book was written about 520 BC after the Jewish exiles had returned from exile, and the objective was to encourage the rebuilding of the temple. So a prophetic word comes through Haggai to Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua calling for the rebuilding of the temple, but the people said "The time has not yet come for the Lord's house to be built". Haggai questions if they should be living "in panelled houses while this house remains in ruin?" The people have neglected God and thus suffer much frustration in their lives. So God calls for the rebuilding of the temple by bringing wood from the mountains for this. And "the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God.... so God said I am with you... and they came and began to work on the house of the Lord".
Zephaniah 3 (résumé): The future of Jerusalem
Zephaniah 3 compares Jerusalem's rebellion with God's restoration. "Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled... she does not trust in the Lord... her prophets are arrogant... her priests profane the sanctuary... so I have left their streets deserted... but they were still eager to act corruptly... so I will pour out my wrath on them... and then from beyond the rivers of Cush my scattered people will bring me offerings... and I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride... and the remnant of Israel will do no wrong... Sing O daughter of Zion... be glad and rejoice...because the Lord has taken away your punishment... the Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save... he will rejoice over you with singing... I will rescue the lame and gather those that have been scattered... I will bring you home... says the Lord".
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