Bible Study Notes in Zechariah- Chapter 10

Zechariah 10

 

-God pours out His coming promise of blessing for Judah and Ephraim again in this short passage of prophecy. The rain will come in its season, the unrighteous will be vanquished and weak. God’s anger and punishment will be on the false shepherds who lead the sheep astray. But, God has visited His flock, the house of Judah. They will be His majestic horse in battle and the Cornerstone will come from them. This is reference to the Messiah, which will come from Judah in the line of King David. The enemy will be torn down, and the people will eventually be brought back to fully inhabit the Promised Land from Lebanon to Gilead to the every other part. They will go through the sea of distress, but the LORD will rescue them from places like Egypt and Assyria so that their hearts will rejoice. Then, they will be strengthened in the LORD “and in His Name they will walk (Zechariah 10:12.” Thus says the God of the universe concerning His chosen people.

-*Application* History has made us more and more aware of the work of God through His Jewish people of promise. No matter the distress, God is always on their side to fulfill His covenant. For us the same holds true. If we have faith and believe in Him, He makes us His children too, with all the royalty that that entails (1 Peter 2:9).

 

Verse to Memorize: Zechariah 10:12

Bible Study Notes in Zechariah- Chapter 9

Zechariah 9

 

-For the first time in this book the word burden (massa’- load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting, utterance, oracle) is used to describe Zechariah’s message from the LORD. Most scholars believe that chapter nine is a different and later time period of Zechariah’s ministry with the Temple being completed and a more astute focus on the coming Messiah. In fact Zechariah references the Messiah more than any of the other minor prophets combined in a preparation for His coming, which would be several hundred years ahead for the first incarnation. The prophet also divines things of the latter days with the second coming of Christ.

-Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place, Hamath, Tye, Sidon, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron are all denounced “for the eyes of men, especially all the tribes of Israel, are toward the LORD (Zechariah 9:1).” The LORD will dispossess, cast wealth away, consume with fire, make to writhe in great pain, confound expectations, disinhibit, make to perish, and cut off the pride of these wayward cultures. He will “remove their blood from their mouth” and rid their detestable things from between their teeth to leave only a remnant for God. They will be reduced to small clans and bygone powers of history (Zechariah 9:1-7). But, God will camp around His House in Jerusalem annihilating any oppression. His eyes have seen all and will protect His covenant people. In the midst of this oracle, the Messiah is revealed to be coming with great rejoicing. “He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This prophecy is fulfilled completely as Christ Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-16). This Messiah will eventually “speak peace to the nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River (Euphrates) to the ends of the earth (Zechariah 9:8-11).” God was announcing prophetical deliverance for Judah and Ephraim. His promises would come to pass in complete fulfillment. Hope was encouraged as the LORD guaranteed to restore double to His people and victory over the enemy, including Greece. He will make His people like a “warrior’s sword. Then the LORD will appear over them and His arrow will go forth like lightning; and the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and will march in the storm winds of the south. The LORD of hosts will defend them.” The LORD will indeed “save them in that day,” which I believe is yet to come in the future. They are His flock as the stones of His crown, “sparkling in His land.” Comeliness and beauty will be theirs and flourishing crops will again be normal (Zechariah 9:12-17).

-*Application* There are many things we could reflect on in this passage both prophetically and morally. Take some time today to think through these things that God punished societies for. When a nation is greedy and self-consumed with its own material wealth, God is not pleased. A giving spirit is what we need and joyful contentment. Cast down idols and turn your eyes toward the LORD. He is our ONLY salvation. He is just, endowed with salvation, humble, and can deliver. Trust in His security, not your own personal or national wealth, power, and prestige. He can take that down in an instant when He desires.

 

Verse to Memorize: Zechariah 9:9

Bible Study Notes in Zechariah- Chapter 8

Zechariah 8

 

-There is a coming peace, truth, and prosperity to Jerusalem once again. This is the overriding theme of chapter 8 as the prophet receives more encouraging words from the LORD for His Jewish remnant. Yahweh is exceeding jealous for Zion with great wrath when they turn away from Him. Yet, His mercy and promises stay faithful to overhaul and redeem the mess that had become of the earthly Davidic Kingdom. God promises to return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, the place that will be called “the City of Truth” and “the Holy Mountain (Zechariah 8:1-3).” Old men and women will again sit in the streets and children will play with joy. These things are not too for the LORD. He will save His people and bring them back from the lands of the east and west. They will live in Jerusalem and be His people, and He will again be their God in truth and righteousness (Zechariah 8:4-8). God tells them then to let their “hands be strong” as they listen to the words of the prophets who spoke in the day that the Temple foundation was laid until it was completed. Before that time, God “had set all men one against another.” Now however, he will treat the remnant with a spirit of unity. There will be “peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; and I (the LORD) will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things (Zechariah 8:9-12).” The nation viewed as a curse and taunt of God will rebound and be saved by Him so that they become a blessing. Therefore, the LORD says, “Do not fear; let your hands be strong (Zechariah 8:13).” We see the complexity of God here as He describes His purposeful-unrelenting wrath and harm upon His disobedient and provoking people for a season. Yet, He takes pity and purposes to in “these days” do good to Jerusalem and Judah in general. Therefore, He states again, “Do not fear (Zechariah 8:14-15)!”

-Then God gives His people some things that they should do. They should speak the truth to each other. They should judge with truth and judgment for peace in the gates. They should never devise evil in their hearts for one another. They should not love perjury (the voluntary violation of an oath or vow either by swearing to what is untrue or by omission to do what has been promised under oath : false swearing- from Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2015). These are all things that the LORD hates (Zechariah 8:16-17). Then the LORD tells his prophet to relay the information that His people are to celebrate their fasts with joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts at the end of their time of fasting for the purpose of loving truth and peace. God promises that the days are coming when peoples from all over the world will come to entreat the favor of the LORD and seek Him in Jerusalem because they observe and know that God is truly with them (Zechariah 8:18-23).

-*Application* God loves His chosen people and we should too. These days are the fulfillment of what Zechariah wrote. It happened in part in the time of Zechariah with the return to the land and the coming of Messiah Jesus, but it will be completely fulfilled in these days as the Jews return and tourism increases with Christians of faith coming and seeing the work of God in this land. It is happening; I’ve been there and seen it with my own eyes! God is with Israel for the long haul. He will never permanently forsake them. His Word is true and nothing will subvert it.

 

Verses to Memorize: Zechariah 8:8, 15

Bible Study Notes in Zechariah- Chapter 7

Zechariah 7

 

-The prophet gets another Word from the LORD in the fourth year of Persian King Darius on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. Bethel (i.e.- the House of God) township had sent some men to seek the favor of the LORD. They spoke to the priests in the Temple area of Jerusalem along with the prophets, of which Zechariah was one. They were seeking guidance on whether or not they should keep observing a fast and time of mourning in the summer time, which they had done many years after the destruction of Judah and the taking of the Jews into captivity. Zechariah gets the Word from the LORD that they needed to make sure that this fast and time of mourning was actually for Him and not themselves. These holy words were issued to them from previous prophets when the land was inhabited and prosperous, but they apparently needed a refresher (Zechariah 7:1-7).

-Then the Word of the LORD came to Zechariah to “dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another (Zechariah 7:8-9).” However, the people had “refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the Law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” said the LORD (Zechariah 7:10-13). In other words, this was the breaking point, and God scattered them with His storm wind to all the nations, which they did not know. Their pleasant land lay behind desolated with no one going back and forth on it (Zechariah 7:14).

-*Application* When it comes to fasting, do we do it properly? Repentance and worship should be our primary concerns when we seek the LORD, not a program or to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. In other words, habits without conviction are fruitless and really a waste of our time. Further, we can bring the wrath of God upon ourselves when we lack compassion and refuse to listen to the wisdom of His Holy Spirit. Don’t let your heart become “like flint.” Hardening, ignoring, and refusing God when He calls can do immeasurable damage. Instead, cultivate sensitivity and submission to God’s Word. Let your heart be pliable and live better. May the lands of our lives be forever pleasant and not desolate in the sight of the LORD.

 

Verses to Memorize: Zechariah 7:8-9

Bible Study Notes in Zechariah- Chapter 6

Zechariah 6

 

-Zechariah lifted up his eyes again and looked. This time he perceives four chariots coming forth from between the two bronze looking mountains where he was located. The first chariot had red horses driving it, the second chariot had black horses, the third chariot had white horses, and the forth had dappled horses. The prophet asked the angel what these were about, and the angel replied, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth, with one of which the black horses are going forth to the north country; and the white ones go forth after them, while the dappled ones go forth to the south country.” These were eager to patrol the earth as strong spiritual forces appeasing the wrath of Almighty God especially in the land of the north, probably referring to Assyria (Zechariah 6:1-8).

-The Word of the LORD also came to Zechariah for Messianic prophesy here. Zechariah was instructed to take an offering from the exiles and on the same day present it at the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon. They were to take silver and gold, making an ornate crown to set on the head of Joshua (Yeshua- God saves, Jesus in the Greek) the son of Jehozadak, who was the high priest. Then it was instructed to say to him, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, a Man whose Name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the Temple of the LORD. Yes, it is He who will build the Temple of the LORD, and He will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace between the two offices (Zechariah 6:9-13).’” The crown would be a constant reminder that Messiah was coming, and those who are far off will come and build the Temple of the LORD. At this time they will know that the LORD of hosts has sent His messenger to His people, “and it will take place if you completely obey the LORD your God (Zechariah 6:14-15).”

-*Application* This was a symbolic crown to remind the people that a Messiah was coming. We have the good fortune now of looking back at Jesus’ first incarnation as our hope and joy for salvation. We also look forward in faith to the time when He reconciles all things to Himself and reigns with truth and grace over all creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Colossians 1:20, John 1:14-17).

 

Verse to Memorize: Zechariah 6:12

Bible Study Notes in Zechariah- Chapter 5

Zechariah 5

 

-Zechariah lifts his eyes up again and sees a flying scroll. The angel asks him, “What do you see?” The prophet replies, “I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits (approximately 30 x 15 feet).” Then the angel said to him, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side. ‘I will make it go forth,’ declares the LORD, ‘and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My Name; and it will spend the night within that house and consume it with its timber and stones (Zechariah 5:1-4).’” Then the angel who was speaking with Zechariah went out and asked the prophet to observe once more. This time he saw the ephah (a basket) going forth with a woman sitting inside it. Then the angel proclaimed, “This is wickedness!” The lead cover that was lifted up in the revelation was thrown down on her into the middle of the ephah at its opening. Then two women came out with wind in their stork-like wings lifting up the ephah between the earth and the heavens. Zechariah asked the angel where they were taking the ephah to which the spiritual being exposed, “To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar (Babylon- symbol for the center of world idolatry and wickedness); and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal (Zechariah 5:5-11).” To see what happens to Babylon, read Revelation 18. This signifies a departure of sin and corruption from the land of Israel, and a returning to their true King.

-*Application* Lying and stealing are an abomination unto the LORD. He brings a curse on those who practice such deeds. Further, He detests idolatry and any kind of wickedness that sets itself up against Him. Worship the LORD alone and drive out the foreign gods that have no power or authority (Revelation 9:20-21).

 

Verse to Memorize: Zechariah 5:3

Bible Study Notes in Zechariah- Chapter 4

Zechariah 4

 

-The angel returns to the prophet as the chapter commences. It rouses Zechariah as from sleep and asked him what he saw. Zechariah saw an all gold lampstand with its bowl on top of it and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts. Also, there were two olive trees by it on each side. As the prophet asked the angel what these things were, the spiritual being replied, “Do you not know what these are?” Zechariah did not know, so the angel revealed, “This is the Word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:1-6).” Grace was proclaimed on the rebuilder of the Temple in Jerusalem, namely Zerubbabel, and his work on God’s House on earth. Zerubbabel’s hands had laid the foundation, and his hands would finish according to the Word of God for the purpose of them knowing that the LORD had sent His Word from the angel to the prophet (Zechariah 4:7-9). “For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth (Zechariah 4:10).” Zechariah then asked about the olive trees, which brought the same response from the angel, “Do you not know what these are?” The prophet still had no understanding, so the angel revealed to him that, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth (Zechariah 4:11-14).” These two may refer to: 1) Joshua and Zerubbabel in the context, 2) Elijah and Moses in the spirit of prophecy, 3) the future witnesses of prophecy in Revelation 11:3-12 during the tribulation, or possibly 4) a reference to the Trinity, Spirit and Son joining the Father. No matter who these are that are standing by the Lord of the earth, they are of God and do His will in complete unity of purpose.

-*Application* God’s sovereignty should jump out at us in this passage. His eyes are on the earth as a reminder of His omnipresence and omniscience. His transcending power means that we should take heed and fall in line with His will and plan. Otherwise, we are toast (Revelation 20:15). The reminder of grace is also here for us to meditate on. God is with His people and will work to bring about their redemption even after catastrophe.

 

Verses to Memorize: Zechariah 4:6, 10