In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
The Lord has been very angry with your fathers:
And you are to say to them, These are the words of the Lord of armies: Come back to me, says the Lord of armies, and I will come back to you.
Be not like your fathers, to whom the voice of the earlier prophets came, saying, Be turned now from your evil ways and from your evil doings: but they did not give ear to me or take note, says the Lord.
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they go on living for ever?
But my words and my orders, which I gave to my servants the prophets, have they not overtaken your fathers? and turning back they said, As it was the purpose of the Lord of armies to do to us, in reward for our ways and our doings, so has he done.
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
I saw in the night a man on a red horse, between the mountains in the valley, and at his back were horses, red, black, white, and of mixed colours.
Then I said, O my lord, what are these? And the angel who was talking to me said to me, I will make clear to you what they are.
And the man who was between the mountains, answering me, said, These are those whom the Lord has sent to go up and down through the earth.
And the man who was between the mountains, answering, said to the angel of the Lord, We have gone up and down through the earth, and all the earth is quiet and at rest.
Then the angel of the Lord, answering, said, O Lord of armies, how long will it be before you have mercy on Jerusalem and on the towns of Judah against which your wrath has been burning for seventy years?
And the Lord gave an answer in good and comforting words to the angel who was talking to me.
And the angel who was talking to me said to me, Let your voice be loud and say, These are the words of the Lord of armies: I am greatly moved about the fate of Jerusalem and of Zion.
And I am very angry with the nations who are living untroubled: for when I was only a little angry, they made the evil worse.
So this is what the Lord has said: I have come back to Jerusalem with mercies; my house is to be put up in her, says the Lord of armies, and a line is to be stretched out over Jerusalem.
And again let your voice be loud and say, This is what the Lord of armies has said: My towns will again be overflowing with good things, and again the Lord will give comfort to Zion and take Jerusalem for himself.
And lifting up my eyes I saw four horns.
And I said to the angel who was talking to me, What are these? And he said to me, These are the horns which have sent Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem in flight.
And the Lord gave me a vision of four metal-workers.
Then I said, What have these come to do? And he said, These are the horns which sent Judah in flight, and kept him from lifting up his head: but these men have come to send fear on them and to put down the nations who are lifting up their horns against the land of Judah to send it in flight.
The Book of Zechariah, comprised of 14 chapters, is one of the foundational texts in the Old Testament of the Bible. Written during the post-exilic period, Zechariah, a prophet and priest, conveys God’s messages to encourage the Jewish people to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and renew their covenant with God after their return from Babylonian exile.
Zechariah Chapter 1 is pivotal as it sets the tone for the entire book. It introduces the themes of repentance, divine mercy, and the promise of restoration, which are central to Zechariah’s prophetic mission. The chapter highlights a series of visions and messages that call for spiritual awakening and fortitude among the Jewish community.
The opening verses (1-6) emphasize the urgency of repentance. Zechariah addresses the people, reminding them of their ancestors' disobedience and the resulting consequences. This call to return to God is not merely about physical relocation but involves a heartfelt spiritual renewal. The phrase "Return to Me" captures the essence of the chapter, as it invites the Israelites to restore their relationship with God and adhere to His commandments.
In this section, Zechariah describes a significant vision involving a man on a red horse among myrtle trees. This imagery symbolizes God’s watchfulness and the ongoing surveillance over the earth’s nations. The horsemen represent divine agents who bring a report of peace among the nations while Jerusalem is still in ruins. The Lord’s anger towards the nations provides a critical understanding of God’s justice and His commitment to restoring Zion.
Verses 16 and 17 present a comforting message from God, promising to return to Jerusalem with mercy. The notion of God returning to dwell among His people signifies hope and restoration. The rebuilding of the Temple and the divine presence among the people serve as key motivators for their repentance and active participation in the renewal process.
Zechariah Chapter 1 emphasizes the importance of repentance. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of sin and redemption. The chapter implores readers to reflect on their own lives, seeking moments of revival and commitment to their faith.
The contrast between God’s anger towards the nations and His mercy towards Jerusalem illustrates the duality of God's character. While He punishes waywardness, He is equally quick to extend grace to those who earnestly seek Him. This pivotal point underscores the relationship between justice and mercy in the biblical narrative.
The vision of the horsemen speaks to the theme of divine providence. It reassures believers that God is actively involved in world affairs, watching over Jerusalem and maintaining justice. This idea provides comfort to believers facing adversity, reinforcing their faith that God is in control.
Zechariah Chapter 1 urges modern readers to return to God and reassess their spiritual commitments. Here are a few applications:
Zechariah Chapter 1 lays a foundational message of hope for restoration through repentance and divine mercy. Its themes resonate through time, offering critical insights for contemporary believers seeking to deepen their faith and relationship with God. By understanding the messages encapsulated in this chapter, individuals can find encouragement to pursue spiritual renewal both personally and collectively.