1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
7 Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
11 And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
12 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
18 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
19 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
20 And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.
21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
The Book of Zechariah is a prophetic book in the Old Testament of the Bible, and it is known for its rich and vivid imagery, and its messages of hope and restoration. The first chapter of this book introduces the prophet Zechariah and sets the tone for the rest of the book. It contains a series of prophetic visions and messages that Zechariah received from God, encouraging the people of Israel to return to God and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
The chapter begins with a call to repentance. In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah. The Lord was very displeased with the forefathers of the Israelites for their disobedience and rebellion. He admonished them to turn from their evil ways and return to Him. This call to repentance is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of personal transformation and a sincere heart-turning towards God.
Zechariah's first vision then follows this call to repentance. He saw a man riding a red horse, standing among the myrtle trees in a hollow, with red, speckled, and white horses behind him. These horses are interpreted as the angels of God, sent to walk to and fro through the earth. They reported that the whole earth is at rest and peace. This vision signifies God's watchfulness over the world and His control over the nations. It also signifies the calmness and tranquility that will be found in the world when God's purposes are completed.
Upon hearing the report of the angels, the Lord expresses His displeasure at the nations at ease, for He was a little displeased with Israel for their disobedience, but the nations furthered the affliction. God's displeasure at the nations shows His concern for His people and His justice in dealing with those who mistreat them. This theme of divine justice is a common one in prophetic literature.
The chapter then continues with God's promise of restoration. God promises to return to Jerusalem with mercies and that His house shall be built in it. He also promises that the cities of Judah will again overflow with prosperity. This promise of restoration and prosperity is another recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting God's merciful nature and His desire to bless His people.
The chapter ends with another vision, in which Zechariah sees four horns. These horns represent the nations that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. Then he saw four craftsmen, who came to terrify and cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it. This vision symbolizes God's judgment against the nations that oppressed His people and His power to deliver and restore His people.
Many lessons can be drawn from Zechariah Chapter 1. The first is the importance of repentance. The call to turn from evil ways and return to God is a powerful reminder of the need for personal transformation and spiritual renewal. This is a central theme in Christian teachings and is critical to the process of salvation.
Secondly, the chapter underscores the sovereignty of God. The visions of the horses and the horns illustrate God's control over the nations and His concern for His people. Despite the hardships and trials they may face, God's people can rest assured that He is in control and that He will ultimately deliver and restore them.
Thirdly, the chapter highlights God's justice and mercy. God's displeasure at the nations that afflicted His people shows His commitment to justice. At the same time, His promise of restoration and prosperity shows His abundant mercy and His desire to bless His people. These characteristics of God – His justice and mercy – are central to the Christian understanding of His nature.
In conclusion, Zechariah Chapter 1 is a rich and complex chapter that introduces the prophetic visions and messages of Zechariah. It underscores the importance of repentance, illustrates God's sovereignty and control, and highlights His justice and mercy. Through its vivid imagery and powerful messages, it encourages God's people to turn to Him, trust in His control, and rest in His justice and mercy.
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