Reading:  Zechariah 1-7
Posted:  Sept 28, 2014

If I needed to summarize the first seven chapters of Zechariah in one word it would be "restoration".  The people have begun to rebuild the temple, spurred on by the Word from Haggai.  They hear from Zechariah that God will restore and rebuild what has been destroyed.

A few things jumped out at me:  1:15  God says He was a "little angry" but the people made it worse.   That tells me that their are levels to God's wrath.   I pray to never make Him angry, but if my actions ever do, I want to quickly repent so that He doesn't become more angry.  In Revelation it says that the people will drink full strength from the cup of His wrath".   Something I never want to experience.

2:8  God says "whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye"  (speaking of the Israelites).   That's absolutely true today of the Israelites, just like it was thousands of years ago.   It's also true of any Christian, because we are "ingrafted branches" to the nation of Israel.   You and I are precious to God, and He is very jealous of us.   No one can lay a hand on us without His permission, and even with His permission they should be very careful.

In chapter 3 we see the priesthood restored.  The high priest is cleansed and given new garments and a new turban, all suitable for offering the sacrifices as before.   In verse 8 it plainly states "you are men who are symbolic of things to come"  and then it begins to speak of Jesus.   Jesus is the Branch from which the whole temple will be built.   Jesus is the one who is represented by seven eyes.   Seven is a perfect number.  Seven eyes would signify perfect sight, or "all-awareness".   The biblical term is "omniscient"  which means all seeing and all knowing.    During Zechariah's time there will be a priest who re-institutes the sacrifice.   He will stand between God and the people and intercede.   And he is a symbol of the one who will come some 500 years later, who will offer his life as the final atonement for sin.   This is (of course) what is meant by the phrase "I will take away the sin in a single day".

The two olive trees remind me of the two witnesses in Revelation.

Someone told me once that there was a satellite broadcasting the salvation message to the whole earth that was the exact dimensions listed here.   I don't know if Zechariah saw a satellite or not, but it's an interesting thought.

Chapter seven reminds us that true worship is so much more than just "showing up on Sunday".   That's what the people had been guilty of.  They showed up, but then they took advantage of one another.   God will not recognize this as holiness.   Genuine holiness must be expressed in relationship, not just worship.   In order to fulfill what God expects, we must treat each other with compassion and respect.  There is no genuine walk with God that excludes relationship.

There are several end time references in Zechariah, as well as some tantalizing snippets of vision that could easily lead us off topic.   However, the main thought in this passage is crystal clear.   God is jealous for His people, and wants to restore them.  

God is jealous for you, and wants to restore you as well.   You have only to give Him permission, and He will begin that good work.


PR