Chronoligical Reading Plan for Sep 19, Zech 1-4
Today's readings are
Zech 1-4. Tomorrow's are Zech 5-9.
Haggai and Zechariah
were contemporaries of each other, Haggai calling for the Temple work to resume
and Zechariah, a priest, calling for repentance and a return to God. Their
prophecies complemented each other, assuring that God's people would be ready
to worship once the Temple was completed.
Zech 1:1-6 is a call
to repent. This comes about a month after the work on the Temple resumes.
Then, Zechariah has a
series of night visions concerning God's judgment on the nations, God's election
and blessing of Jerusalem, the purification of the land, the rebuilding of the
Temple and the leadership of Zerubbabel & Joshua.
In the fourth vision,
we see the high priest, Joshua (not to be confused with Joshua of the Book of
Joshua), before the "angel of the Lord', quite possibly the Lord Himself.
An accuser (Satan) appears. Joshua represents the people. He is filthy, soiled
by sin, and unable to worship. God cleanses him and gives him new, beautiful
clothes. This is a sign that Joshua will establish the renewed priesthood.
Through his ministry, if he remains faithful, the people will be restored.
Joshua is a type of Christ, clothed in righteousness and standing as a mediator
between God and His children.
The fifth vision of the
lampstand (probably representing the temple) and olive trees is an
encouragement for Zerubbabel and Joshua to trust in the power of the Spirit of
God (represented by the oil) rather than military or financial power.
These visions should have been seen by the Jews as a caution to avoid returning to their way prior to the
Babylonian captivity. They were given the Promised Land but quickly began to
focus on their own self-interests and dependency on other kings and nations.
God has returned them to their land but it is in need of cleansing because they
have tainted it and allowed it to be tainted.
For us, these chapters
serve as a reminder that we can fall victim to the same heart attitude, one
that cries out to God when we’re in trouble then takes Him for granted when
times improve.
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