June 12 - Zechariah 1

June 12 – Zechariah 1

We have entered a different period of time for the Israelites. They have been in exile under Nebuchadnezzar and have returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The temple is being rebuilt as Zechariah delivers his prophecy, but he returns to the exile, asking his listeners to learn from the past. It is written at the same time and in the same place as Haggai. Zechariah and Haggai are actually mentioned in the book of Ezra (Ezra 5:1, 6:14) as the prophets who led the elders in the rebuilding of the temple.

So, why, when the people have returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, does Zechariah call for a return to the Lord at the beginning of this prophecy? The people must learn from the past and they must find a way to avoid the same mistakes of their forefathers. Within a short period of time, even though they had regained their freedom, they were abusing the privilege of being God’s chosen people. A call to repentance came just in time. They did so and recognized the power of the Lord among them.

Following this call, there are eight ‘night visions.’ They tell of the restoration of Zion. The first three are about Jerusalem and the last five are about the Messiah. Notice that Zechariah is able to ask questions during these visions to gain more clarity.

The Man Among the Myrtle Trees.

The colored horses are actually symbolic. We see colored horses again in Revelation 6. The red horse represents war and blood, white represents victory and peace, while brown represents the muddiness of unsettled times. They travel throughout the earth and declare that there is peace. The Lord offers this same peace to Jerusalem, ensuring that the temple will be rebuilt and a time of prosperity will come.

The temple was rebuilt, but not to its former glory. Nehemiah would finish this in another 80 years or so. The time of prosperity wouldn’t actually happen for the Israelites until about 165 bc during the time of the Maccabeans. The final period of peace and great glory for Zion won’t occur until far into the future.

Four Horns and Four Craftsmen.

While there is some discussion regarding the identity of the four nations that scattered Israel, it makes sense that it could be Assyria, Babylonia, Persia-Medea and Greece. The four craftsmen or smiths are the rebuilders of the temple in Jerusalem, those that bring the nation back to its worship of God.