Read Zechariah 1:1-6
The book of Zechariah is often viewed in three sections because of stylistic differences. The first includes Chapters 1-8, the second Chapters 9-11, and the third, Chapters 12-14. The latter sections are thought to have been added to this book but not necessarily written by Zechariah. Don’t be surprised when we get to those later chapters and the style and focus changes a bit.
Like Haggai, Zechariah first speaks to the Israelites returning to Jerusalem from their exilic captivity. This was a chance for a new life, and God wanted to make sure they were secure in the hope that only he provides. Have you ever moved to a new city? You know the adjustment period can be challenging.
Zechariah’s first vision from God was profound. The LORD said, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” He was inviting the people to come back and show allegiance, something their ancestors had failed to do. We will encounter many other visions as we walk through this book together.
Zechariah’s first audience may have been struggling with understanding who God was. They were experiencing crop failures, runaway inflation, and all the issues that come with reestablishing a new residence. They were finally back in the homeland of their ancestors. Were they questioning, “where is God?” Have you ever asked such a question?
When we look around at what is happening in our world today, we might ask that very question. We might even wonder why God is allowing such things to happen. When we dig into the Bible, we see that what we’re experiencing isn’t all that different from what they were experiencing. People going through the motions of life without God are going to cause bad things to happen. The evil one is a genius at taking advantage of the weak, those not filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.
1 Corinthians 2:14 speaks to this phenomenon. It says: “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” Prophets of old had similar challenges because of people’s selfish ambition. They were hard-hearted and refused to let God into their lives, despite the many prophetic messages spoken.
Zechariah’s vision points out those past failures. God saw it all. Such behavior angered God. Those ancestors admitted their failure. “We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.” Now it was time for the people in Jerusalem, and any of us reading God’s word, to return to him. God doesn’t want us to repeat the mistakes of those have gone before. The prophets and priests of the day would help them. Today we have our Christian communities where we can find support.
Do you feel connected to a Christian fellowship that feeds and nourishes your heart, mind, and soul? Give thanks for them today. If you are feeling isolated, ask God to help you find a place where you can belong.
Let’s pray. Lord, I give you thanks for the many Christian friends you have surrounded me with over the years. I look forward to each new encounter with fellow believers. There are a lot of evil things going on in the world today, and I pray for protection to not fall into those traps of deception. I ask for deliverance from the grip of sin for my loved ones who struggle because they don’t know you like you want to be known. Thank you for the lessons in your Word that we can learn from. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
