Today’s passage: Zechariah 4

Helpful thoughts:

• This fifth version encourages the completion of the building of the temple.
• The lamps would have used olive oil.  So, the trees on either side, along with the bowl and the pipes that are represented give the idea of a lamp that continually burns without need of human intervention.
• The two anointed positions depicted in verse 14 are believed to be that of the king and the priest.  At the time of this vision, that would have been Zerubbabel (In the line of David) and Joshua (The line of the High Priests).
  • Christ fulfills both “anointings.”

Questions to consider:

1. In reading verse 7, who might we give all the credit to for the successful building? But then, when we go back and read verse 6, what do we remember?  Whose power is truly at work?  How does this give us confidence when we read verses like Philippians 1:6 and Romans 8:29-30?
2. Can any mountain (Or any other obstacle or opponent) stop God from accomplishing what He has promised?  What are some promises of God we see in His Word that can give you great encouragement to overcome obstacles?
3. The people who had seen Solomon’s temple had mourned the reduction in size and magnificence in the new temple, but God tells the people in verse 10, “whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice.”  How might our perspective on how great things are (Or how insignificant) differ from God’s?

Today’s passage: Zechariah 3

Helpful thoughts:

• Joshua was the high priest who came back from the exile along with Zerubbabel in Ezra 3:2.  The spellings of “Joshua” and “Jeshua” are the same person in these passages.
  • Joshua is standing before God as a representative of the nation.  These accusations, grace, blessing, etc. are not just for him, but for all Israel.
• Israel was worthy of these filthy garments.  Satan did not have to falsify any report or accusation of filth.  But God, who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) graciously clothes his chosen people in clean (righteous) garments.
  • The new priestly outfit was not complete without a new turban.  The priestly turban read, “Holiness to the Lord” (Exodus 28:36-37).  This holiness was gifted to Israel, and was now expected of her.
• There are three references to the coming Christ in verses 8 and 9:
  • My Servant
    • Isaiah 53:11
  • The Branch
    • Jeremiah 23:5-6
  • The Stone
    • Matthew 21:42

Questions to consider:

1. In what ways do we see the themes of guilt, mercy, grace, forgiveness and repentance today?  In what ways do the components of this vision preach the gospel?
2. How did the Stone which the builders rejected remove the iniquity of His people?  Where and when did that removal of sin take place (Romans 5:6-11)?
3. What is the sign depicted of Joshua the priest (And all his companions, who were other priests who would come after him) representing Israel before God?  What would have been true of all of them?  Who alone can righteously stand before God on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14-16)?

Today’s passage: Zechariah 2

Helpful thoughts:

• The vision from chapter 2 again looks forward to the millennial city of Jerusalem.  The man with the measuring line in hand is measuring out just how big Jerusalem will one day be.
• There was practical purpose for building the physical walls around the city of Jerusalem during Nehemiah’s time, but if God determines to protect His people, they need no other wall! (Verse 5)
• Verse 8 reminds us, when you mess with God’s people, you mess with God.  (Romans 8:31)
  • And Christians, by God’s grace we have been included.  He calls us, “My people.” (Verse 11)

Questions to consider:

1. If God’s people are so enamored with His glory in their midst (Verse 5), do you think they would even be worried about what is going on outside the city?  What causes us to fear in this world?  What can turning our attention towards God’s glorious love do for us, even in this life (1 John 4:18)?
2. In the end, regardless of how people “felt” or thought about God in this life, what will all mankind be left to do before our Holy God (Verse 13)?  Who is our God and what is the only right response of His own creation before Him (Philippians 2:10-11)?
3. How can these truths give us confidence (A humble confidence) to love people around us today?

Today’s passage: Zechariah 1:7-21

Helpful thoughts:

• If, like me, you aren’t a horse expert, here is what a “sorrel” horse looks like.
• These angels had been sent to patrol the earth.  They were scouting out the nations in preparation for military-like action.
  • The nations were found to be at rest, which was a stark contrast to the struggles of Jerusalem.
  • God commits here to again defend Jerusalem and bless the people.
• The vision of the four horns and four craftsmen appears to be similar (Pointing to the same events) as that of Daniel 2 and 7.
  • If that’s the case, then the fourth “craftsmen” would be Jesus Christ Himself.

Questions to consider:

1. What do we learn about God in this passage?  He is all-knowing and eternal, and yet He interacts with these angels and with mankind in a way that allows us to interact and learn about who He is, what does that teach us about Him?
2. How does God think about and care for those whom He has chosen?  Even when He used a foreign nation to discipline Jerusalem, what made him angry about their heart in doing that (Verse 15)?
3. Who was the commander of the Lord’s army in verse 11?  The Angel of the Lord is a name used in the Old Testament for the Pre-incarnate Christ…how does this scene showing Him to be the commander tie in with Revelation 19:11-21?

Today’s passage: Zechariah 1:1-6

Helpful thoughts:

• Zechariah was born in Babylon and served as a priest in Jerusalem after the return from exile, during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
• This book opens with a call to repentance.  After their return from exile (Which had been a consequence of their sin), the people continued in their sin!  God calls this logic (Or the lack thereof) into question.
• In the end of verse 6, we see the response of the people.  They repented and acknowledged the truth of God’s rebuke.

Questions to consider:

1. Why would the Lord continue to refer to Himself as the Lord of Hosts in this rebuke toward the people?  How had He shown Himself to be the God who commands the armies (Think: Angel armies, Israel’s armies, even foreign armies) to accomplish His will?  Why does it make so much sense to follow His commands even at this level of understanding?
2. With all the logical sense that demands we obey God, do we?  Were the Jews ever going to nail down perfect obedience before God?  Could we?  Why not?  (John 8:31-34)
3. What is our only hope of freedom from this slavery to sin (Romans 6:1-7)?  Who sets us free?