Recap

So far in Zechariah, we've read through the introduction and the first five of Zechariah's visions and dreams. Zechariah is a book collecting together visions of the prophet Zechariah around at the same time as Ezra and Nehemiah. It opened with a call to repentance and then described a series of visions that the prophet had had.

There's a vision of horsemen patrolling the earth and declaring peace. Then another where Zechariah sees four horns representing Babylon's scattering of the Israelites, and four blacksmiths representing Persia destroying Babylon. Third is a vision of a man holding a measuring line, planning the new Jerusalem, which will be a place brimming with people from all nations.

Fourth was a vision of the high priest, Joshua, standing in God's courtroom. Satan tried to accuse him of being unworthy, but God took the filthy clothes that Joshua was wearing and replaced them with clean ones, declaring him worthy. We then saw the visions begin to reflect the first four in reverse order.

Like the fourth, the fifth vision was of one of Jerusalem's leader, Zerubbabel the governor. Zerubbabel was one of the descendants of king David, and so was part of the royal line. God partnered Zerubbabel and Joshua together, hinting to a future where God's people will be led by a single man who is both priest and king. 

Zechariah 5-8

Zechariah’s sixth vision pairs with his third vision, of the man holding the measuring line planning the new Jerusalem. Zechariah saw a flying scroll that travelled across the land, cleaning the land of wickedness. The new Jerusalem being built in vision three, will be renewed and made pure by God’s word, as we see here in vision six.

Vision two was a reflection on Israel's past. On how they were exiled into Babylon and then rescued by the Persians. Vision seven also reflects on Israel's past. Zechariah sees a woman representing Israel's wickedness and evil. This woman is placed in a basket and then carried off to Shinar (Babylon) by two more women with wings. These visions are an important reminder to Israel to remember their past and learn from it.

And then we're back to the beginning with vision eight. In vision one, Zechariah saw horsemen patrolling the earth and declaring that it is peaceful. The horsemen in this vision have more of a military feel to them. They are in chariots, ready to go out and wage war.

These horsemen travel across the earth, establishing peace. The horseman that travels north is specifically mentioned. We've seen from the other prophets that the north represents the place of chaos and darkness. Not only will God one day bring peace to Jerusalem. He is going to bring peace to all the earth, even the most chaotic bits.

Then comes a ninth and final vision in this series. Once again, Zechariah sees the high priest, Joshua. He is given a crown for his head and seated on a throne. Again, we see this imagery of priest and king being brought together as one. One day, there will be a king on the throne who also serves as a priest. He will rebuild God's temple, and people from all the nations of the earth will come and help.

But this vision comes with a warning. This will happen, "if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.” (Zechariah 6:15). God's blessing and faithfulness are dependent on the faithfulness of his people.

Sometime later, a few of the people come to Zechariah to ask if they should continue fasting. They had wept and fasted because they were far from God for many years, but with the new temple already built, is God going to be with them again? Can they stop their fasting?

But Zechariah doesn't answer the question. Instead, he challenges their motive for fasting. They only fast for God, but they never feast for God. Their fasting has become a religious ritual that they do out of tradition and habit. It doesn't really mean anything to them anymore.

Instead, if they wanted to honour God, it would be better for them to be just, to help the poor and the marginalised, to be merciful. These are the things that God wants, not empty fasting. These were the things that God has spoken of through the old prophets, and the people didn't listen then. So God sent them into exile.

With that said, that's not to say that God is done with his people now. God's heart is for his city. He looks forward to a time where his presence dwells in the city. Where people live long lives and see old age, and where there are plenty of children running around. God is going to restore his city, and once again fill it with abundance.

So this is what God requires of his people; that they are just, that they pursue truth and peace, and not seek to do evil to one another. If the people are faithful to God in this, he will turn their seasons of fasting and weeping into seasons of feasting and celebration. In those days, people will come from all nations to enjoy the presence of God that the Jews get to enjoy.

Psalm 59

This psalm is attributed to king David and refers to 1 Samuel 19:11-12 when Saul sent men to David’s house to kill him. The psalm falls into the category of lament psalm.

A) Psalm 59:1-2 - Prayer to God

B) Psalm 59:3-8 - Complaint against the wicked

C) Psalm 59:9-10 - Trust in God

B) Psalm 59:11-15 - Curses on the wicked

A) Psalm 59:16-17 - Praise to God

The psalmist opens with his request to God. Deliver and protect me, O God. Their enemies are rising up against them, pursuing evil and seeking their blood.

Next comes the core of the psalmist’s complaint. Their enemies are chasing them to take their life, despite the fact the psalmist has done nothing wrong.

The psalmist then uses this as a parallel for all of Israel’s enemies that might tear Israel down. The psalmist asks that God punish these other nations for their wickedness.

Then the psalmist turns back to their problems. Their enemies are like howling dogs, shouting lies and abuse. They think they can do what they like.

But God is above and sees all. He mocks the attempts of the psalmist’s enemies and Israel’s enemies.

And so the psalmist declares their trust in God. God is their strength and their fortress, because he is a faithful and loving God.

From there, we move back to requests. The psalmist asks that God doesn’t do away with their enemies quickly. If so, the people will forget and will slip back into wickedness quickly.

Instead, they ask that God make an example of their enemies weakening them and trapping them in their own wickedness.

Let all the people see that it was their own curses, lies, wrath, and wickedness that led to their own destruction so that other might learn to avoid these.

This finally leads the psalmist to praise. They will sing praises of their God, who is their strength and their fortress, because he is a faithful and loving God.