top
Zechariah 14 - On that day

This book concludes with the expected plagues and curses upon the enemies of Jerusalem and God's people. However, for me the conclusion comes in verse nine.

Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD – his name alone will be worshiped.

A time is coming when unjust laws will vanish, crimes will not go unpunished, and everyone will truly understand that there is a God and He alone is worthy of our worship.

Thank You Father for this promise. May we be found to be ready. In Jesus' name, Amen.

That day is coming. Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 13 - Refined

I've been told that to refine a metal such as silver or gold you need to heat it until it liquefies, wait for the impurities to float to the the top and then skim them off. This process may be repeated many times, until the surface of the liquid metal is as shiny as a mirror, and the craftsman can see his reflection.

In this chapter I see God doing the same to His people. Their impurities are quite high, in fact they are nearly indistinguishable from worthless metal. However, our Lord quickly sorts them out. Two thirds of them are removed at the onset. The remaining one third is put through the refiner's fire. The result is clean and pure.

Zechariah 13:8-9 Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die, says the LORD. But a third will be left in the land. I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'These are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'

Heavenly Father, may we be willing to endure the refiner's fire. May we allow You to do the work in our lives that You desire. May Your reflection in the metal of our souls be evident for all to see. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Seek purity. Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 12 - Unique Spirit of Man

The first verse in this chapter grabbed me by the brain and wouldn't let go.

Zechariah 12:1 This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him,

I find the reference to "who forms the spirit of man within him" to be fascinating. The word "forms" means just that; it is to make, to shape, to mold - like a potter would do.

As I explained to my youngest son just a little while ago; God literally shaped who you are and will be before you were ever born. He shaped your spirit in such a way that your likes, desires, and talents are all in there. They are just waiting to be brought out with time and training.

As Proverbs says, it is my and my wife's job as parents to bring out the things in him that God has already placed there.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The above verse is not saying that we are to shape him in the way we think he should go. No, it is an instruction to us to help guide, direct, and teach him those things that God has already placed into him. God is the one that formed our son's spirit into a unique expression of Himself. We must prayerfully discover what his God-formed spirit contains and bring it to maturity.

Thank You Father for this awesome responsibility. May my bride and I fulfill it to the best of the ability that You give us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

You are unique - just like everyone else.
Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 11 - Blood money

In this chapter I find the treatment of the sheep to be cruel, and it is God doing it. However, who am I to question His motives and actions? It was after-all a direct response to the people's rejection of the Messiah - Jesus.

Bible scholars believe that the first part of the passage about Lebanon's door's opening were a prophecy about the Temple door's opening of their own accord. Such an event did indeed happen shortly before Rome attacked and destroyed Jerusalem. Just as Jesus said, thirty seven years earlier, the city was encircled by a vast army. Cestius Gaius however was defeated and withdrew his troops. Those that heeded Jesus' call to flee to the mountains were saved, those that didn't perished, when a new Roman leader Titus Flavius, Emperor Vespasian's son,  returned to finish the job. He succeeded where Cestius Gaius failed. Jerusalem was destroyed and  one million one hundred thousand Jews died.

However, the most significant thing about this chapter is a familiar prophecy about the paltry sum paid to Judas for betraying Jesus.

Zechariah 11:12-13 And I said to them, "If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to." So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potters " – this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potters in the Temple of the LORD.

Judas was paid thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus, remorseful he threw it on the floor in the temple. The priests took the money and bought a potter's field in which they then buried the dead.

Father, I have trouble with scriptures like this chapter that show your judgment. Please forgive my lack of understanding. Thank You for the mercy that You've shown us through the life and death of Your Son Jesus. Amen.

He is worthy. Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 10 - Mighty Ones

Today's reading in the Rotherham version translates some verses a bit differently than most - I like what it has done.

Zechariah 10:4-5 From him, the commander, from him, the supporter, from him, the war-bow, from him shall proceed everyone that driveth on, together; so shall they become like mighty ones, trampling on the mire of lanes, in battle, and they will fight because, Yahweh, is with them, - and will abash the riders of horses.

From Judah (Jesus) comes; the commander, the supporter the war-bow, the forceful ones, and together they are the mighty ones. And because God is with them they will fight and win.

Thank You Lord that this promise wasn't just to those living long-ago. It is also for us. You are still the Mighty Commander of the Angel armies. When you are with us, we cannot lose. Praise God! Amen.

We win! Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 9 - Prophecy within Prophecy

In this chapter is the pivotal prophecy upon which hinges all of history and Messianic revelation.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey— on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus fulfilled the above prophecy in the following verses.

Matthew 21:7-9 They brought the animals to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. He was in the center of the procession, and the crowds all around him were shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David! Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!"

Luke 19:35-38 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. Then the crowds spread out their coats on the road ahead of Jesus. As they reached the place where the road started down from the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. "Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven!"

This event is pivotal because this was the prophesied advent of the King of Kings and the Messiah from Daniel 9:25. When Nehemiah received his commission to rebuild the temple (Nehemiah 2:1), the countdown clock predicted by Daniel began. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem was on the exact date that Daniel had predicted 538 years earlier.

Up to this point Jesus had instructed His followers to not reveal to anyone who He truly was. However, now things changed.

Luke 19:39-40 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, "Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!" He replied, "If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!"

Jesus himself publicly acknowledged His royal title - no more concealing His identity. Amazingly the religious scholars of the time missed it. They didn't do the math.

If Jesus hadn't been publicly revealed at this exact date, then He would not have been the Messiah. But, praise be to God He was! And the rest is history.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us such wonderful confirmation of prophecy. Thank You that all things truly do work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them that are called according to His purpose. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He is Messiah and King! Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 8 - West Country

What a fascinating reference!

Zechariah 8:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country.

The words west country literally mean, 'land where the sun sets'. Israel is rather on the western edge of the Mediterranean and I doubt if the writer was talking about Spain. I think that God was speaking prophetically about America! Whether He was or not, it is a wonderful promise. God is saying that wherever His people are, He will save them.

Thank You Father for this promise; that You will save those that are Yours. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He knows where you are. Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 7 - Merry Christmas?

It is after 1am now. Christmas is truly upon us. But what does it mean? Do we really celebrate the birth of our Lord? Or is it just another excuse for a feeding frenzy and a day or two off from work? I suspect that many of us, knowing full well that it is a supposed to be about Christ, still get caught up in the whirlwind of the "holiday season" and hardly pause to give him thanks. We get careless and lazy, just like the people of Zechariah's time.

Zechariah 7:4-6 The LORD Almighty sent me this message: "Say to all your people and your priests, 'During those seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and at the festival in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting? And even now in your holy festivals, you don't think about me but only of pleasing yourselves.

What powerful and humbling words for us on this holiday, "even now in your holy festivals..."

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for concentrating on the things that distract us from You and what happened over 2000 years ago. Thank you for this timely message from Zechariah, may I remember and remind those around me that today is about Jesus - my Lord and King. In His name, Amen.

Rejoice! Christ is born. Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 6 - Perfect Harmony

This evening my wife's side of the family celebrated Christmas at my mother-in-law's home. Gathered in her home were; her three daughters, their children, and her ex-husband and his wife. It is amazing to me to watch the harmony and spirit of family that exists between these people who were once enemies and that I honestly do not think know Christ. However, I remain hopeful.

I was selected, rather undemocratically I might add, to hand out gifts. Just before doing so, I stood in front of the lit up tree, buried in gifts, grabbed my sister-in-law Carlene, and had her join me in singing Silent Night. It was my way of ensuring that the true purpose of this celebration was brought to the forefront, if only for a moment. My wife later told me that Carlene's joy at my choosing her to join me was clearly seen. Then we both got down to the task at hand - handing out gifts.

Zechariah 6:11-13 Accept their gifts and make a crown from the silver and gold. Then put the crown on the head of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Tell him that the LORD Almighty says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out where he is and build the Temple of the LORD. He will build the LORD's Temple, and he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between the two.

The gifts we handed out were gladly accepted. Some of them were heartfelt items that brought joy, other's were meant to simply amuse or to serve a utilitarian purpose. But all were given to honor those receiving them - to acknowledge that they are special in the giver's eyes.

When Carlene and I finished our role of giver, we then proceeded to our second role of recipient. It was a wonderful evening.

I like how Zechariah reminds us that our Lord Jesus serves a dual role of King and Priest. It is He that rules, and it is He that intercedes on our behalf before our Heavenly Father. He is the one that brings perfect harmony to both roles. He brings order and mercy.

Blessings to you. Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 5 - Holy Hand Grenade

Book of Armaments 2:9-21 ...And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high, saying, "O Lord, bless this, Thy hand grenade, that with it, Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits... in Thy mercy." And the Lord did grin, and the people did feast upon the lambs and sloths and carp and anchovies and orangutans and breakfast cereals, and fruit bats and large chu...

[skip ahead a bit]...

...And the Lord spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then, shalt thou count to three. No more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it." Amen.

Forgive the lapse into Monty Python's  Holy Grail, but the flying scroll (below) sounded just way too much like the holy hand grenade scene to me.

Zechariah 5:1-4 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

I find it interesting that theft and lying are essentially a cancer or termites to a home. Eventually it will destroy it from the inside out. They are like an unholy hand grenade that will go off when we least expect it. However, we should expect it, God has warned us repeatedly, but for some reason we just don't get it. Just like the twits in the Holy Grail, we read the instructions, but don't comprehend them; nor do we have the true desire to do so.

Heavenly Father, please grant that our words and actions are those that align with our profession. May we be true followers of Your Son. May we seek to understand and live in a manner that is pleasing to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Put the pin back in. Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 4 - Seeds

Many, like me, feel that their contributions to the kingdom are insignificant, that they don't amount to much. But if we listen to the Lord's counsel we see that He rejoices at small beginnings.

Zechariah 4:10a Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.

God rejoices to see the work begin. Whether or not it is us that make a large thing out of some work. Of if it remains small, eventually it all is used for the greater purpose of building up God's kingdom.

Most everything in life starts small, seeds, babies, and even problems. Given the right environment they can grow. Hopefully we are nourishing the correct things.

Thank You Father that You allow my little works to contribute. Help direct my energies toward the things and places that fulfill Your will for me. Please give me the strength and enthusiasm to continue on. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Start small. Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 3 - The Branch

Today the thing that stood out to me was the description to Joshua the priest of what was coming - The Branch.

Zechariah 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your colleagues who [usually] sit before you--for they are men who are a sign or omen [types of what is to come]--for behold, I will bring forth My servant the Branch.

Joshua, his fellow priests and the priest of generations after him were merely models of the true thing - Jesus. He is the The Branch.

Thank You Lord for sending Jesus to support and protect us. In His name, Amen.

Blessings to you, Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 2 - Live among you

Today I see one of many messianic prophecies that this book contains.

Zechariah 2:10-11 The Lord said, "Sing for joy, people of Jerusalem! I am coming to live among you!" At that time many nations will come to the Lord and become his people. He will live among you, and you will know that he has sent me to you.

Jesus came to live among them, many rejoiced, still others didn't. However as a result, many nations have come and are still coming to the Lord.

Thank You Father for sending Jesus to live among us, as one of us. Amen.

Peace, Jan
Click to go to the top

Zechariah 1 - A Question of Mercy

I started the last book, Hebrews, with angels. I'm going to repeat the theme today. I see an amazing thing, something I'd never considered before.

Zechariah 1:12-13 Then the angel said, "Almighty Lord, you have been angry with Jerusalem and the cities of Judah for seventy years now. How much longer will it be before you show them mercy?" The Lord answered the angel with comforting words...

The angel, not Zechariah asks the Lord for mercy for Israel. I'd never considered the feelings of angels before. I always just thought of them as servants that do His bidding. Today was like a "Duh, you twit!", moment for me. If the angels could sin against God by rebelling and choosing Satan, then they obviously have the capacity for a wider range of emotion. As I wrote that sentence I was reminded of when Zachariah, John the Baptist's father, doubted the angel Gabriel, he got angry and struck him mute.

From God's response to the angel, it is clear that He shows them compassion and mercy too. God didn't reply with, "How dare you question My timing!" No, He answered the angel "with comforting words."

Thank You Father, that you treat all of Your creation with tender care. May I remember to do likewise. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Spread mercy. Jan
Click to go to the top