B. SCENE 2 --THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND & OLIVE TREES(4:1-14)

Halfway through his vision, Zechariah becomes exhausted and confused by what he sees! There is too little time to digest the magnitude and far reaching implications that are flashing before him. No break is even suggested between each scene! It finally takes an angel to get him back on track! He probably understood the first few verses as an encouragement for Zerubbabel to finishing building the Temple. But something puzzled him: “what are those two olive trees doing there and whom do they represent?” It was something he had never notice before so he had a lot of questions on his mind.

     The Golden Lampstand &The Two Olive Trees 

Verse 1: Then the angel who talked with me returned and wakened me, as a man is wakened from his sleep.

The interpreting angel comes to the prophet to awaken him from what appeared to be mental or spiritual exhaustion. It seems evident this was not from physical sleep since he speaks of himself being awakened: “the angel awakened me as a man is wakened from his sleep.”

In the first five visions, God was trying to show Israel the importance of getting back to her roots: they were called to be His Chosen, Holy people! But spiritual idolatry drove them from their Land. The Shekinah glory had departed! Nebuchadnezzar destroyed their City and Temple and for 70 years they were his captives. Under King Cyrus, royal permission was given to rebuilt the Temple. Yet, 18 years later and all they had to show for their efforts was only the foundation and the Brazen Altar. So the Lord sent Haggai and Zechariah to encourage them to finish building the Temple and renew their commitment to being His Holy People. The symbol of new garments for Joshua was given for that purpose! If I was part of the audience that night, I would be dumbfounded by this kind of interplay! An angel steps out of the screen and speaks to Zechariah as if to help keep him keep awake or to stimulate his thinking.

Verses 2-3 He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lamp stand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven channels to the lights. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

The angel asks: “what do you see?” The picture of a large Lampstand would immediately remind him of the seven pronged golden menorah found in the Temple. This lighted candlestick represented what Israel was intended to be: a shining light for God to the rest of the world. The oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit making that Light possible. In John 8 Jesus identified Himself as this candlestick when He stated: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5) Revelation also pictures Him as walking in the midst of the lampstand or candlestick representing the seven churches of Asia Minor. They were warned that if they didn’t repent He would remove them. In modern Turkey today none of these churches exist. They lie in ruin! Their lamp stands have been removed!

To the right and left sides of the lampstand can be seen two olive trees. Olive oil was used to fuel the lamps. The two olive trees supplied oil to the bowl at the top of it in order to maintain an abundant supply of oil which was carried through golden pipes to each of the seven burning lamps. The picture is of a limitless supply of oil automatically flowing from the trees down to the bowl and into the lamps without human agency. Zachariah is still puzzled! So he asks for further explanation.

Verses 4-10: I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied.  So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. What are you, O

mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “(These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the earth).”

The primary focus of these verses was to encourage Zerubbabel (Judah's governor) to finish building the Temple and to assure him of God’s divine enablement. Neither human effort, wealth, or physical might was sufficient to complete the task. Almost 18 years and the Temple was still not finished! Too many enemies and obstacles were in the way! So this Candlestick scene with an abundance of oil was to illustrate that nothing can be accomplished without the power of God through His Holy Spirit: “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit!” Only an abundant supply of the Holy Spirit's power would enable him to complete the work. The immediate fulfillment came when the capstone was laid with shouts of joy and thanksgiving as recorded in Ezra 3:11-13. Many of the older Jews remembered the beautiful Temple Solomon built before Nebuchadnezzar destroyed it and they wept (Ezra 3:12). But they are told that God was watching over the present building program and though it was not as majestic, it nevertheless pleased Him. So “don’t despise the day of small things,” because one day there will be a Temple He will superintend that will make all others pale by contrast (Ezek.40-48).

Verses 11-14: Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?” He replied, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I said. So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”

Two unanswered questions troubled the prophet at this point: “what are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lamp stand?” And “what are these two olive branches?” There seems to be a definite difference between the “two olive trees” and the “two olive branches.” The “branches” are connected to the “trees” but are not identical! Some see them both representing the priestly and kingly offices in Israel, pointing to Joshua and Zerubbabel as their fulfillment. Others prefer to identify them as referring to Christ Who is both High Priest and King.

The symbol of the “two olive branches” seem most clearly fulfilled in Joshua and Zerubbabel. However, the “two olive trees anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth” seems to focus on Israel's future.

Revelation 11:3-12 describes “two witnesses” who become God’s agents during the Great Tribulation. Verse 4 states: “These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth.” These “two witnesses” are not identified . Speculation surrounding their identity have included two different groups, Enoch and Elijah, two Spirit-filled individuals, and Moses and Elijah. It is interesting to note that Moses and Elijah were the two who ministered to the Lord Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration. Malachi 4:5 likewise states that, “I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” Then, during the 70th week of Daniel (the Great Tribulation) these two “olive trees” will “have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain, to turn the water into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague” (Rev.11:6). These are some of the very miracles Elijah and Moses performed during their prophetic ministries. If you've ever wondered who might be able to identify the 144,000 Jews with 12,000 from each Tribe? Certainly Moses would have no trouble since he divided them in the first place at Sinai. While my preference is obviously biased toward Moses and Elijah, the mystery will be revealed in His time.

The same Power, giving Israel success in completing the Temple and later rebuilding the walls, flows through His Church today. Zechariah 4:6 makes it clear: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” He is the Olive Oil flowing to the Lampstand that lights the world. To the Church, Jesus stated in Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses...” The plan for Israel is still incomplete. They will one day be restored to full spiritual blessings. The Church’s task is still incomplete. Yet while we wait His return we are admonished to “let your light so shine before men. That they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt.5:16).

               THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND & TWO OLIVE TREES 

                              THE SECOND SCENE BEGAN THAT DAY
                              WITH SEVERAL SYMBOLS ON DISPLAY
                              A SHROUD OF MYSTERY DULLED HIS MIND
                              LIKE TRYING TO SEE WHEN ALMOST BLIND.

                             A LAMPSTAND WITH A BOWL ON TOP
                             WAS SEEN WITH SEVEN LIGHTS ABLAZE
                             AND FROM EACH SIDE AN OLIVE TREE
                             SUPPLIED THE OIL FOR ALL TO SEE.

                              I ASKED THE ANGEL TO EXPLAIN
                              IN WORDS THAT I COULD UNDERSTAND
                              HE POINTED TO JEHOVAH’S MIGHT
                              WITH HIS ANOINTING OIL FOR LIGHT.

                              THE FRAME THIS PICTURE DID EMBRACE 

                              WAS ISRAEL’S PRESENT BUILDING BASE
                              WITH DETAILED PLANS HE HAD IN VIEW
                               FOR JUDAH’S TEMPLE BUILDING CREW.

                              THEN FROM THE RUINS OF THE PAST
                              THE SHOUTS OF PRAISES COULD BE HEARD
                              AS TEMPLE WALLS FELL INTO PLACE
                              AND HOLY WORSHIP FILLED ITS SPACE.

                              THERE IS ONE OTHER SECRET THREAD
                              TWO “SONS OF OIL” RISE FROM THE DEAD
                              TO STAND ON ISRAEL’S HOLY LAND
                              BEFORE THIS COSMIC STORY ENDS.

                              THESE “OLIVE TREES” ST. JOHN DESCRIBED
                              ARE THOSE THE PROPHET SAW DISGUISED
                              AS MEN ANOINTED TO PROCLAIM
                              MESSIAH’S COMING BACK TO REIGN 

                                       THOUGHT QUESTIONS 

1. AS ZECHARIAH ENCOURAGES THE COMPLETION OF THE TEMPLE, GOD IS PREPARING A HOLY PRIESTHOOD TO SERVE HIM. LOOKING OVER THE 1ST FIVE VISIONS, WHAT PICTURE DO YOU SEE EMERGING FROM A REPENTANT PRIESTHOOD AND CULMINATING IN A CHANGE OF GARMENTS? HOW WOULD THAT PARALLEL THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IN THE LIGHT OF 1 Cor.6:19?

2. WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THE LAMPSTAND (MANORAH) IN THE TEMPLE? WHO DOES IT REPRESENT? WHAT IS THE OIL A SYMBOL OF AND WHAT WAS GOD TRYING TO ILLUSTRATE?

3. THERE WAS A PRESENT APPLICATION FULFILLED IN ZERUBBABEL(VS.5-10) AND A FUTURE IMPLIED IN VERSES 11-14 WHERE THE PROPHET ASKS: “WHAT ARE THESE 2 OLIVE TREES?” WITH THE ANSWER: “THESE ARE THE 2 WHO ARE ANOINTED TO SERVE THE LORD OF ALL THE EARTH.” IN THE LIGHT OF REVELATION 11:3-12 WHO MIGHT HE BE SPEAKING ABOUT AND WHEN?

CLEAN GARMENTS FOR THE HIGH PRIEST

                                Zechariah 3:1-10

The encouraging scene Zechariah had witnessed IN THE LAST CHAPTER was suddenly replaced by a gross and terrifying sight! Joshua the High Priest is seen standing before the Lord in what appears to be a court scene. He was not your regular priest. The High Priest was appointed to represent Israel before Yahweh. After sacrificing a bull for his own sin, he could enter the Temple's Holy of Holies with the animal's blood as an atonement for the people's sin. But what makes this filthy vision so detestable is the excrement splattered all over his white robes! Guilt is written all over, as the Accuser (Satan) calls for his condemnation. The scene is charged with tension, fear and a sense of hopelessness.

The fifth vision introduces us to Joshua the High Priest who later in this chapter symbolizes THE BRANCH. Joshua was the High Priest at the time the Jews returned from Babylon some sixteen years before (Ezra 2:2; 3:1-3). Joshua represented Israel before the Lord. There is no reference to his personal character as a man but as High Priest representing Israel he is standing before the “Angel of the Lord” in filthy clothes.

Verse 1: “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.”

The vision is a court scene that is both dramatic and moving. Joshua is seen standing before the “Angel of the Lord” in filthy garments while Satan is at his right side. A hush seems to fill the court room after the prosecuting attorney finished deliberating. The words of the Accuser are not stated but a guilty verdict is implied by the Defense Attorney’s response! The malicious Adversary stands in the presence of the Lord to proclaim Israel’s sins and their unworthiness to receive any mercy. John Mac Arthur comments: “the situation is crucial: if Joshua is vindicated, Israel is accepted; if Joshua is rejected, Israel is rejected. The entire plan of God for the nation was revealed in the outcome. Israel’s hopes would either be destroyed or confirmed ” (MacArthur Study Bible, p.1342).

Verse 2-4: The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”

The Defense Attorney is Christ Himself as “the angel of the Lord!” His past covenant with Israel was an incontestable promise to Abraham and later to king David. Israel can never be eradicated as a nation in spite of her sins and He is the only One who judges the outcome. God wrote the Script and no one can alter it! Israel’s accusation is futile because God has already revealed his will for the people by delivering them from captivity and sovereignly choosing Jerusalem. They are described as “a burning stick snatched from the fire”(v.2).

The Accuser’s charge may have been legitimate because the people had violated Yahweh’s demands for holiness. They became vile in His sight, falling short of His desire for them to be “a priestly kingdom” (Ex.19:6) But Satan’s charge is met by Yahweh’s rebuke “the Lord rebuke you, Satan.”

Our attention now turns to the High Priest, Joshua (v.3). We would expect him to be clothed in white raiment with the ephod on his chest and a turban on his head. But we are shocked and repulsed at the sight! His garments are filthy as he stands before the Lord. The root word for “filthy”suggests human excrement or vomit. The same Hebrew word is found in Deut.23:14; Isa.28:8; Isa. 36:12.

The phrase pictures the habitual condition of defilement of the priesthood and its people. McComiskey is graphic at this point: “Feelings of revulsion turn to wonder: Must God turn his back on this repulsive sight and vent his anger at this affront to his holiness? It seems that the accuser is justified in calling for God’s judgment on the sin this filth represents.”

But suddenly the scene changes in verse 4 as God’s justice turns to mercy: “Take off his filthy clothes.” The removal of the soiled garments silenced the Accuser, making his charge baseless, because the Supreme Judge has done the unthinkable: He has removed Israel’s guilt by a sovereign act of grace. But notice what follows! Not only do the angels remove his filthy clothes but they replace them with rich, white garments. The High Priest now stands in glorious splendor! The Lord assures him: “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.” In verse 5, Zechariah seems to jump to his feet: “Then I said, 'put a clean turban on his head'”(v.5)! In quoting Pusey's commentary, David Baron suggests: “the act of placing the crown on the head of Joshua, the high priest, pictured not only the union of the offices of Priest and King in the person of the Messiah, but that He should be King, being first our High Priest” (The Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah, p.193) The High Priest re-clothed, symbolizes God's promise to Israel both for the present and the future (12:10-13:1; Rom.11:25-27).

The application for the Christian is profound! Just think of what we were before Christ and what we are now in Christ! We are all as an unclean thing and “all our righteousness are as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6) with result:“the wages of sin is death” (Rom.6:23). But God who is rich in mercy has offeres us the rich garments of His righteousness so that “by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph.2:8) Salvation is the beginning of the Christian life. Sanctification is the process by which the Holy Spirit transforms us from within. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor.3: 18). We too need cleansing because our daily walk is often contaminated by sin. Yet, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9)

In these last five verses, the Angel of the Lord again speaks words of assurance to Joshua who represents Israel. It is a call for His people to live holy lives if they are to serve Him.

Verses 7-10: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here. Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,” says the Lord Almighty, and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree” declares the Lord Almighty.

The summons to hear imparts a sense of urgency to this section. There is new material to be understood; “Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you.” The summons to listen included Joshua and his companions. His companions were most likely fellow priests over whom Joshua exercised spiritual authority. But a quantum leap seems to be suggested from the early verses to these verses. The Lord identifies these men as “symbolic of things to come!” You may wonder why Joshua is not associated with these men? Perhaps it is because “my servant, the Branch” fulfills the role of Joshua by becoming Himself both High Priest and King. Both Servant and Branch have messianic significance! The Servant concept appears in Isaiah as someone who would one day bring redemption to His people: “my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities” (Isa.53:11). Later. Jeremiah talks about The Branch associated with king David: “I will raise up to David a righteous branch, a king who will reign wisely” (Jer.23:5; 33:15). The Branch reappears in Zechariah 6:11-12 also as King. Thomas McComiskey adds: “whom God will bring forth into the arena of world history….Joshua and his fellow priests symbolizes the work of this servant-priest” (The Minor Prophets, p.1078).

Dr. G. Coleman Luck makes an interesting analysis of the Branch as it relates to the Gospels. “In the Old Testament prophecy this title ‘the Branch’ is used of the Messiah in four principal ways. Each of these four ways corresponds to an aspect of Christ’s character emphasized in one of the four Gospels of the New Testament:

(1) Messiah is called ‘a Branch of David’ (Isa.11:1; Jer.23:5; 33:15). This speaks of His being the rightful promised King of Israel. The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the fulfillment of this prophecy.

(2) Messiah is called by God ‘my servant the BRANCH (3:8) The gospel of Mark presents the Messiah---the Lord Jesus--as the suffering Servant of the Lord, obedient even unto death.

(3) Messiah is called ‘the man whose name is The BRANCH’ (6:12-13) Luke’s gospel pictures Christ as the perfect Man--the only perfect and sinless man who has ever lived.

(4) Messiah is called ‘the branch of Jehovah’ (Isa.4:2) speaking of His Emmanuel character, of the fact that He is “God with us” (Zechariah: A Study of the Prophetic Visions of Zechariah p.43).

The “stone with seven eyes set in front of Joshua” speaks of perfect intelligence and wisdom. Only in Christ could this be fully understood. The Apostle Paul states: in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”(Col.2:3). Christ is both “the rock of stumbling” (Rom.9: 31-33) as well as the “rock of our Salvation”. He is the “Rock” upon which the Church is built (Matt.16:18). He is also the Cornerstone of the spiritual building of which every believer is a part (Eph.2:19-22). It is the “Rock” cut out of the mountain Daniel speaks about in chapter 2:35,45 that crushes all the kingdoms of this world in preparation for His Messianic Kingdom on earth (Revelation 20)

Christ’s second coming coincides with Israel’s spiritual rebirth when He removes “the sin of his people in a single day” (v.9). Isaiah 66:8 echoes this same theme “Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?” Yahweh then concludes:“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced and mourn for him” (Zechariah 12:10). Then peace will finally come to Israel.

     CLEAN GARMENTS FOR THE HIGH PRIEST

                A COURT ROOM SCENE COMES INTO VIEW

                THE HIGH PRIEST STANDS BEFORE THE LORD

                HIS FILTHY CLOTHES OF NATIONAL SHAME

                HAS GIVEN RISE TO SATAN’S BLAME.

                A SUDDEN HUSH FILLS ALL THE ROOM

                THE VIRDICT’S WORD REVEALS THEIR GUILT

                A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE MUST NOW DEMAND

                THE FULL EXTENT THE LAWS COMMAND.

                IN THEIR DEFENSE GOD TAKES HIS PLACE

                AND SHOWS A LAMB TO FILL THEIR SPACE

                THEN HE REBUKES THE SERPENT’S HEAD

                BY LIFTING JUDAH FROM THE DEAD.

                “REMOVE THOSE FILTHY GARMENTS NOW

                FOR JOSHUA STANDS ON HOLY GROUND

                I HAVE FORGIVEN ISRAEL’S SIN

                AND FOR THEIR SAKE I WILL BE KING.”

                THE PICTURE JOSHUA ILLUSTRATES

                WITH EXCREMENT UPON HIS ROBES

                REFLECTS IDOLATRY AND PRIDE

                THAT JUDAH’S NATIONAL GUILT IMPLIED.

                THE CALL WENT FORTH FOR ALL TO HEED

                TO CLEANSE THEIR LIVES FROM EVIL DEED

                SO WHEN THE TEMPLE WAS COMPLETE

                ALL PRAISE WOULD CROWN HIS MERCY SEAT.

                THEN JOSHUA AND HIS FELLOW PRIESTS

                SYMBOLIC OF EMANUEL’S BRANCH

                WILL BE A NATION BORN TO REIGN

                THROUGHOUT MESSIAH’S WORLD DOMAIN.

                                        THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. THE COURT ROOM SCENE FINDS Joshua representing Israel as their High Priest while standing before the Angel of the Lord. What was represented by Joshua’s filthy garments?

2. What does he mean in verse 2, “Is not this man a brand plucked out of the fire?

3. In what ways do verses 1-4 parallel God’s dealing in grace with the Christian today? What assurance and hope does it give us today?

4. What do clean garments and a clean turban on Joshua’s head represent for the present and the future? Note a similar picture given to the Christian in Me Peter 5:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; Rev.2:10.

5. Who is symbolized by the Branch? What do the seven eyes on a stone represent? And, when is the time Yahweh removes “the guilt of this land in a single day? (vs.8-10)

   

THE MAN WITH A MEASURING LINE

                                               ZECHARIAH 2:1-13

Zechariah might have been catching his breath from the last scene when suddenly a man appears with a measuring line in his hand. Who is this man and what is he doing with this measuring line and how are we to interpret or understand the meaning? There is lots of interaction between the prophet, the angels and the man.

Verses 1-5: “Then I looked up--and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand! I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.” Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel came to meet him and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’”

While this fourth vision had a local application (to encourage the generation Zechariah preached to with the thought that the Lord was then going to bless them) yet, the prophecy looks far beyond to the final regathering of Israel and exaltation of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be overrun with people and cattle, like an unwalled town (v.4), and the Lord will be the “glory” within the city (v.5). Many nations will join themselves to God’s people (v.11) which will include a host of Gentiles. Thus, God wanted them to know that not only had He not deserted them but that He has a plan and purpose for them that extends into the future (1:16).

The first thing Zechariah saw was a man with a measuring line in his hand. Who is this man? In chapter 6:12, Zechariah says, “here is the man who is the Branch” pointing to the Lord Jesus who is from the branch of David. This man is the pre-incarnate Christ even though the text does not categorically infer it. He and his measuring line are symbols of the rebuilding process that is about to begin.

Zechariah calls to the man, asking where he is going, and the answer is encouraging: he is going to do the measuring for this great building. When you find the Lord with a measuring line, it means He is ready to move in behalf of His prophetic plan. Other Scriptures speak similarly of this “measuring line:” Jer.31: 38-39; Ezek.40: 2-4; Rev.11: 1-2; Rev.21:15-17.

The scene is not static! There is a lot of movement and some apparent confusion at this point. So the angel speaking to the prophet suddenly leaves the place where he was standing perhaps to get more information about the meaning of this measuring line. Another angel leaves the ranks and meets him. This angel may have been one of the angelic riders who were standing among the myrtle trees behind the angel of the Lord or it may be the angel of the Lord Himself. He tells him to go back and inform Zechariah that Jerusalem will be without walls because of the massive influx of people and cattle. We know that in 445 BC Nehemiah the cup bearer for Artaxerxes I, was given permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which he accomplished in 52 days But our text indicates no need for walls! There seems to be a wide gap between the command to build walls and the time when there will be no walls. The answer is simple! He is pointing to Messiah's millennial reign where “I myself will be a wall of fire around it and be its glory within”(v.5).

It is the Angel of the Lord who explains the visions and who speaks here in reference to Himself. We now know why this Angel heads the host of cosmic riders that stand behind him (1:8): He has come not only to command them to ride throughout the earth, but also to pursue glory for Yahweh. His eternal purposes will be completed in His time and on schedule!

But suddenly there appears to be a shift from his main subject. He stops to address a contemporary problem, which needs immediate attention. It is a word of warning!

Verses 6-9: “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord, “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the Lord. “Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon!” for this is what the Lord Almighty says, “After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you--for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye-- I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.”

A solemn warning is now given to the Jews still remaining in “the land to the north” which is Babylon. For 70 years He had scattered them to “the four winds of heaven,” but now He calls them to return. A majority of them had settled down in Babylon indulging in prosperity and the Babylonian life style. They failed to avail themselves of the opportunity to return to their own land. But judgment against Babylon was looming and the Lord calls them to leave before the curtain of grace falls and judgment begins.

We are told that Babylon revolted twice during Darius’ reign and was twice conquered. The first revolt probably occurred around the time Zechariah was ministering. The second time occurred six years later. Both occasions were times of terrible suffering and carnage. Again, this return from Babylon at this time is a foreshadowing of the final regathering of Israel preparatory to the return of Christ to set up His millennial kingdom. In Isaiah 11:11-12 and Jeremiah 23:3-8 both prophets look forward to that eternal righteous reign of Messiah.

Verses 10-13: “Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

In these final verses, Zechariah gives a preview of the millennial joy that will exist when Messiah lives among His people and sets His throne in Jerusalem. This joy will overflow to the nations for “many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day.” The final scene pictures the Second Person of the Trinity “the Lord Almighty” sending the first Person, Jesus, our Emmanuel, to earth to set up His kingdom. “The Lord will inherit Judah!”

            THE MAN WITH A MEASURING LINE

                       A MAN WITH MEASURING LINE APPEARED

                       TO MARK THE BOUNDARIES OF HIS WORK

                       THE PROPHET ASKED WHO HE MIGHT BE?

                        “THE BRANCH! THE INCARNATE DEITY!”

                       BEFORE THIS PLOT COULD BE FULFILLED

                       AND JUDAH’S KING BECOME REVEALED

                       A TWO-FOLD PLAN WAS PUT IN PLACE

                       A CALL TO LEAVE AND WALLS TO RAISE.

                      TO LEAVE THE COMFORTS OF THEIR HOME

                      WHERE BABYLON SEEMED SECURE

                      WAS NOT THE PLACE WHERE GOD HAD PLANNED

                      AS HIS INTENDED PROMISED LAND.

                      THE VISION FOR THE TEMPLE BUILT

                      WITH WALLS REPAIRED ON ZION’S HILL

                      WAS GOD’S INTENT TO PUT IN PLACE

                      WITH PROMISED BLESSINGS TO EMBRACE

                      WHEN NEHEMIAH FELT GOD’S CALL

                      TO LEAVE THE KING AND BUILD THE WALL

                      IN FIFTY-TWO HISTORIC DAYS

                      THEY WERE COMPLETE TO YAHWEH’S PRAISE.

                      BUT FAR BEYOND THE PRESENT SCOPE

                      THE MEASURING LINE WAS MEANT TO GIVE

                      A GREATER GOAL FOR ISRAEL’S LAND

                      ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND.

                       “SHOUT AND BE GLAD!” DECLARED THE LORD

                       “YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE!

                       I WILL RETURN AS JUDAH’S KING

                       AND NATIONS WILL REJOICE AND SING!”

                   THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. According to Zechariah 6:12, who is the man with a measuring line? Why is he given that name?

2. The walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins until Nehemiah, some 140 years later, rebuilt them. Why does the angel tell Zechariah "Jerusalem will be a city without walls?"

3. Two angels are involved in verses 1-5. What confusion might have arisen necessitating further explanation?

4. Since so few left the comforts of the Babylonian lie style to return to Judah, what warning does the Lord give in verse 6, and why?

5. The vision seems to indicate a forward leap into the distant future. What time frame are verse 10-13 speaking about and what comfort or assurance might that have given to the remnant living in Judah at the time?

DON'T MESS WITH ISRAEL!

The lines are drawn upon the Land
The written Word is His command
A curse or blessing does not change
When Yahweh swears by His own Name.

His covenant to Israel's seed
Which clearly marks their title deed
Is given to a people blessed
And pledged upon His righteousness.

Just mark the course of Nation's past
Their rise and fall are clearly cast
Against their treatment of the Jew
Their conquered lands lie in review.

So how can we imagine less?
When our great Nation He has blessed
Betrays its pledge to give a hand
And thinks God's curse will skip our Land?

Just wait till money looses gain
And Failing crops and floods bring pain
Utopian dreams will fade away
Because His Glory could not stay.
--B. Pent

THE FOUR HORNS AND FOUR AGENTS

2. The Four Horns (1:18-19)

       “Then I looked and there before me were four horns. I asked the angel who was speaking to me “What are these?” He answered me, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem.”

       The second picture appearing on the stage may seem somewhat obscure to us when speaking of “horns” but Zechariah understood it. The “horn” is often used in Scripture to symbolize “power” or “authority.” For example, Daniel describes his vision as “a ram with two horns” and “a goat with a prominent horn” (vs.3,5). Eventually they face off in a life and death struggle. The goat then “attacked the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering his two horns” (v.7) Later this explanation is given: “the two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece”(v.20-21). Earlier in his vision, Daniel saw four great powers: a lion, bear, leopard and an indescribable beast with 10 horns. He identifies them as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome and then concludes: “the four great beasts are four kingdoms that will arise from the earth”(7:17).

       Apparently Zechariah saw the same thing Daniel saw. The interpreting angel explains: “these are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem” (v.19). Verse 21 makes it clear that these “horns” that scattered Judah represent “nations,” or “ruling powers” that will oppose Israel. But what comfort was this to the Jewish remnant now living among the broken ruins of Jerusalem? Things looked pretty hopeless for them. Yet the promise goes back to the Abrahamic and David covenant that assures ultimate victory for repentant Israel. David Baron concludes: “in spite of all the great Gentile powers, who would each in turn take up the work of scattering and afflicting Israel, Israel would not be wholly swallowed up nor be overwhelmed, but would remain when all those powers should have disappeared, and would triumph in God's deliverance when the memory of their mighty enemies should be buried in shame and oblivion” (David Baron, Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah,p.48).

3. The Four Craftsmen/Workers (1:20-21)

       “The Lord showed me four craftsmen. I asked, “What are these coming to do?” He answered, “these are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.”

       The four craftsmen are divine agents sent by God against the world powers. They represent four successive powers that overthrow and destroy the “four horns."  If you go to Daniel 2,7 and 8, Daniel’s apocalyptic vision describes the major players of history God used to destroy these world powers oppressing Israel. For example, the Persian king, Cyrus, prophesied by Isaiah over a hundred years before his birth to be His agent, overthrew the Babylonian Empire. Two hundred years later Persia was conquered by the Grecian emperor, Alexander the Great.  Greece conquered the mighty armies of Xerxes and expanded his Empire all the way to India. Following his death at age 32, his four generals split the Kingdom into four equal parts.

       Toward the first century BC the powers of Rome began to show their iron will. They Conquered Greece and Caesar Augustus brought the Roman Empire to its zenith of power. However, the Roman Empire was never conquered from without. It imploded as moral decadence began to eat the heart out of its life and in time fell apart into territorial, warring factions.

       Daniel 7 describes the Roman Empire as an indescribable beast with 10 horns and a little horn rising from its center. That little horn represents the political ruler the Apostle John describes as the Beast/antichrist. He is said to unite the old Roman Empire into a 10-nation confederacy called the Revived Roman Empire. After antichrist makes a treaty with Israel for 7 years (Daniel 9:27) the Great Tribulation described in Revelation 6-18 begins. Toward the end of this oppressive plight against Israel, all the nations of the world will surround it in what Revelation 16:16 calls the Battle of Armageddon. Daniel describes the last “craftsman or agent” as the “rock” cut out of the mountain that not only crushes revived Rome but also all nations opposing Israel. In Daniel 7, this“craftsman/worker” is called “the son of man” and in Revelation 19:11, He is the rider on the white horse called “the King of kings and Lord of lords.” While describing this same event, Paul states: “then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming” (2 Thess.2:8).

       This prophetic drama describing “God's agents or workers” takes us from Israel’s past oppression to her future deliverance at Christ's second coming.

       The Four Horns And Four Craftsmen
                   

                The prophet looked and saw four horns

                 As nations rise to rule the world
                 He asked the angel who these were
                 "They scattered Jews throughout the earth."

                The prophet Daniel saw the same
                Four monstrous beasts rose from the sea
                Babylon & Persia, Greece & Rome
                Gentile powers till Christ's return.

                A frightening sight at last appeared
                A ten-horned monster looking weird
                And from its head a little horn
                The beast of Revelation born.

                But then four craftsmen did arise
                To terrify these national horns
                They are the agents God had sent
                Until all earthly rule is spent.

                The first was Cyrus, Persia's king
                Who conquered Babylon from within
                Then Alexander ruled from Greece
                Destroying Xerxes' ocean fleet.

                The power of Rome where Caesar ruled
                Crushed all the kings of Grecian fame
                Yet from within corruption flowed
                Until through time it did implode.

                Then in the vision Daniel saw

                Ten horns revived where Rome once stood

                But to its feet of iron-clay

                The "Rock" of ages crushed its prey.

                The final craftsman is that "Stone"

                Where Christ will rule from Israel's throne

                And all the kingdoms of this world

                Will then confess that Christ is Lord.

                           THOUGHT QUESTION

1. Whom do the "horns" in verse 19-20 represent and why is this symbol used?

2.  "Horns" in scripture represent "power" and "authority."  What "power" is described in Daniel 7:8,11,20-21 and about whom is it speaking?

3. In Daniel 7:3, four "powers" are said to come out of the sea, each representing a different nation. Then in Daniel 8, he identifies two of them as a ram with two horns and a goat with one horn which later becomes four horns. Can you identify these nations?

4. During the time of the revived Roman Empire described by feet of iron and clay, a final "agent or craftsman" is seen toppling the last "horn."  Who is it and how does that fit into our text?

I. ACT I: A VISION OF FUTURE EVENTS (1:7-6:15)

1. (Imagine yourself sitting in a theater with three dimensional pictures appearing in rapid succession with riveting affect! In one night Zechariah saw 10 scenes that left him exhausted. The scenes were real and their meanings were forward looking affecting Israel and her future).

A. SCENE 1 -- (1:7-3:10)

1. The Horse & Rider (1:7-17)

Three months after Haggai had delivered his last messages, Zechariah presents his great apocalyptic message consisting of ten symbolic visions. The vision covers the time from his day, clear into the prophetic future at Christ’s second coming.

Zechariah plays a crucial role, like that of Daniel, in the interpretation of their prophetic books. The references to a coming Messiah was not to be understood in a political, historical sense, but rather in a futuristic sense. The Jews had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon but before any messianic blessings, God’s people had to turn to Him in full obedience and righteousness.

Verse 8: “During the night I had a vision--and there before me was a man riding a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.”

The symbol of a “myrtle tree” in a “ravine” or at the bottom of a ravine pictures Israel's condition at this time. Myrtle bushes flourish particularly well in damp soils or by the side of a river, which sets the stage for Zachariah’s vision. The whole earth seems to be still and at rest. Security returned to the kingdom of Persia since Darius the Great had crushed all rebellion. However, Jerusalem still lay in ruins and its inhabitants were discouraged because their cherished messianic hopes were not being fulfilled.

But suddenly, powerful steeds appear in the shadows pulling on their rains as if to charge forward at a command. Why are they colored? Is it symbolic of peace, war, famine and death as Revelation 6:2-8 seem to indicate taking place during the tribulation period? Perhaps! But for now our focus is on the man on a red horse.

Who is the one riding a red horse and standing among the myrtle trees (v.8,10)? Vernon McGee believes the rider on the red horse is the Lord Jesus Himself which verse 11-12 indicate as “the Angel of the Lord.”(Through the Bible, p.908). The NIV states that someone is riding on a red horse and one is standing in the ravine. Others suggest the rider on the red horse, along with the other horsemen, are standing before the Angel of the Lord giving an account of their activities. The riders sent out by God apparently return and report that the whole world sits quiet and at rest except for Jerusalem (vs.10-11). In the Old Testament when God appeared to a person, He appeared as an Angel. This pre-incarnate appearance is called a christophany. So verse 12 finds Christ standing in this ravine interceding before Jehovah on behalf of Israel. Dr. McComiskey explains: “Here the angel symbolizes the divine presence, and the interplay between this angel and Yahweh (vs.12), between Yahweh and the angel (vs.13), and between the angel and the prophet (v.14) enhances this vision by establishing the Lord's direct involvement in and understanding the plight of his people” (The Minor Prophets, p.1038).

Almost ninety years had passed since Nebuchadnezzar had raised Jerusalem to the ground. Many returned when Cyrus gave them permission to rebuild the Temple but only the foundation was laid. Eighteen years later, they still got nowhere. The returning remnant are just sitting among the rubble with a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. The Jews thought Messiah would come as soon as the temple was rebuilt. So the Angel of the Lord identifying with hurting Israel, cries out: “Lord Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah?” The reason His compassion is fired up for His people is the cruel treatment suffered under their captor’s rule. McComiskey concludes: “As a result of Yahweh’s compassion for his people, they will complete the temple and Jerusalem will continue to expand as the builders stretch their lines across rubble-strewn land, making out plots and measuring walls. Thus God will accomplish what the people so desperately desire: a temple and a secure city in which they can build their homes.” (The Minor Prophets, p.1043)

                                          THE MAN AMONG THE MYRTLE TREES

                                                                     Matthew 1:7-17

THE CURTAIN RISES WITH A START!

A RIDER ON A HORSE APPEARS

                AND STANDS AMONG SOME MYRTLE TREES

               WHERE OTHER COLORED STEEDS ARE SEEN

BUT WHO IS HE WHO STANDS ALONE?

AND WHY DO ANGEL RIDERS ROAM?

IT IS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

           WHOSE WORD IS LIKE A PIERCING SWORD.

         THE SWEATING STEEDS HAD JUST RETURNED

PATROLLING EARTH’S REMOTEST END

         AND FOUND THE WORLD AT PEACE AND REST

         WHILE JUDAH STILL REMAINED OPPRESSED.

THEN IN THE VALLEY OF DESPAIR

A VOICE IS HEARD IN FERVENT PRAYER

   AS GOD THE SON STANDS IN THEIR PLACE

IMPLORING YAHWEH FOR HIS GRACE.

        THE LORD SPOKE KIND AND LOVING WORDS

WITH PROMISES THEY WOULD BE HEARD

HIS TEMPLE WILL AGAIN BE RAISED

          AS ISRAEL SHOUTS, “THE LORD BE PRAISED!”

                                                  THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. The first thing Zechariah sees is a rider on a red horse standing in a ravine (v.8). Who is this rider (v.11) and what might “the ravine” suggest about where Israel found itself at this time?
   
   
   What is a “christophany” and why would He appear as an angel and not man as indicated in John 1:14?

3. Since we are not told the meaning of these colored steeds (v.8b) what do the colored horsed in Revelation 6:1-7 represent and might there be some parallel? Do you wonder if perhaps they are the same? Why? Or Why not?

4. Verse 12 pictures the Angel of the Lord praying to Yahweh on behalf of suffering Israel. We find a similar passage in John 17 between Jesus and His Father. How should this encourage us during our time of greatest need?

THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH

Imagine yourself in an auditorium sitting next to other spectators watching a drama in two parts with an intermission between both scenes. The vision Zechariah describes in his Book might help us better understand this prophetic picture if we view it this way. After a brief introduction, the producer introduces the script and then sets the stage for this stirring drama.

INTRODUCTION: A Call To Repentance (Zechariah 1:1-6)

1. The Production-Director: The LORD ALMIGHTY (v.1a)

2. The Main Actor: Zechariah, son of Berekiah, son of Iddo (v.1b)

3. The Plot: The Revelation of God’s Prophetic Plan (v.2-6)

4. The Setting: Israel: God’s Centerpiece

The Book of Zechariah has been called the Apocalypse of the Old Testament. Like the book of Revelation, Zechariah is a book of prophecy. Its theme sets forth the program of God, which is also the theme of Revelation. John MacArthur states: “This book is the most messianic, apocalyptic, and eschatological in the O.T. Primarily, it is a prophecy about Jesus Christ, focusing on His coming glory as a means to comfort Israel....Prophecy was soon to be silent for more than 400 years until John the Baptist, so God used Zechariah to bring a rich, abundant outburst of promise for the future to sustain the faithful remnant through those silent years” (MacArthur Study Bible,p.1338).

It was almost 18 years since Cyrus conquered Babylon and granted the Jews permission to return to their homeland. The first group of immigrants, consisting of some 50 thousand, returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8,11) whom Cyrus appointed governor (Ezra 5:14). He was credited with laying the foundation of the Temple. Within seven months they had rebuilt the Brazen Altar and were once more performing the sacrifices commanded by the Law of Moses (Ezra 3:1-6). However, they were oppossed by some of the Samaritans and soon the rebuilding efforts came to a screeching halt (Ezra 4:1-23). Discouragement, dissallusion, and apathy set in! The broken down walls and unfinished Temple certainly didn't match the vision of a messianic kingdom they had hoped for.

Thomas McComiskey states: “If the returned exiles expected the dawn of Yahweh's universal reign, with Jews and Gentiles flocking to Jerusalem, their hopes soon faded. Jews did not leave the population centers of the empire in vast numbers, and interference from the longtime inhabitants of the land frustrated the building efforts (Ezra 4:1-24) bringing the work on the Temple to a halt (Ezra 4:24)” (The Minor Prophets, p.2004)

So God raised two phrophets from among them to offer hope amidst discouraging times: Zechariah and Haggai. Zechariah began his prophetic office two months after Haggai (Hag.1:1; Zech.1:1). While Haggai’s message was chiefly to rouse the Jews to the outward task of building the Temple, Zechariah’s prophetic message sought to challenge them to a complete spiritual change from within. Zechariah was a priest and a prophet. He was the “son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.” This Iddo apparantly was one of the priests who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel and Joshua (Neh. 12:4).

In Zechariah 1:1, we have three very significant names. Zechariah means “whom Jehovah remembers;” his father Berechiah’s name means “Jehovah blesses;” and his grandfather Iddo means “at the appointed time.” That is the theme of this Book. It is a book of encouragement to the people of Israel: “whom Jehovah remembers & blesses at the appointed time.”

There are over 25 Zechariah’s mentioned in the Old Testament. The prophet Zechariah is thought by some scholars to be the one Jesus refers to in Matthew 23:35 as having been “murdered between the temple and the altar.” After Zechariah’s prophecy, we are plunged into 400 silent years until another Zechariah appears whom Luke describes as the father of John the Baptist whom “Jehovah remembers.”

After King Cyrus died, his son Cambyses became king. But his brief reign (529-522.) was threatened by Gautama who claimed to be the real king and usurped the throne. For some unknown reason Cambyses then committed suicide. Later, an officer in the Persian army by the name of Darius I claimed to be from the Royal Hystaspes family so he killed Gautama and took over his throne. Darius the Great then ruled the Persian Empire from 521BC to 486BC. There was a period of turmoil at first with widespread revolts, which the events of Darius’ accession may have fueled. It is not certain how long it took him to secure the Empire but the oracle of Zechariah 1:7-17 suggests a date sometime toward the end of his second year which reflects a time of peace throughout the Empire except for Israel (1:7).They were continually being opposed and harassed. Struggling to keep food on the table and faced with the formidable task of building the Temple, these discouraged Jews let the work fall into neglect and as McComiskey puts it: “Without a temple the Community lacked spiritual cohesion. The house of the Lord was the seat of Yahweh’s presence, but instead of witnessing to the presence of their God, the rubble-strewn temple site was a mute testimony of their neglect..... Clearly, if the community was to survive, it needed leaders who could not only rally the people to the task, but who could overcome their spiritual lethargy by authoritatively assuring them of divine assistance.” (The Minor Prophets, p.1006-1007)

Several events took place which turned things around. King Darius ordered the Temple rebuilt: “Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.....Let it be done with all diligence” (Ezra 6:7,12) His decree also provided the funds to be taken from the royal revenues. Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the High Priest were further encouraged by the prophetic messages of Haggai and Zechariah to finish building the Temple. So the work moved forward enthusiastically and by 516 BC the Temple was completed. Ezra 6:16-22 records the account of the celebration that followed its completion.

Two major lines of thought run throughout Zechariah: the sovereignty of God and human responsibility. As the theme of human responsibility develops, Israel is reminded of past generations who failed in their obligation of obedience to the Lord (1:2-6). Later, this warning again surfaces: “This will happen if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God” (6:15). McComiskey adds: “The prophet declares, however, that God will overcome the disobedience of his people through a pierced figure (12:10), whose wounding will effect sincere repentance on the part of the people and lead to their cleansing of sin (13:1-6)” Then he concludes “As we move through the first part of the book, we begin to feel strange stirrings that there is more going on than the building of a structure.”

(The Minor Prophets, p.1018)

The first six verses serve as an introduction to this prophetic vision. Israel's past is brought up as a warning that disobedience brings judgment. That is why they were taken to Babylon for those 70 years of captivity. Later they acknowledged their sin and God's justice in punishment. They are now back in their homeland but repairing the past takes time. The Temple was not yet rebuilt except for the brazen altar and the walls of Jerusalem still lay in ruin. Rubble was strewn all over and each family seemed isolated from each other. So God raised Haggai and Zechariah to get them to finish the work they had begun some 18 years before.

                               A Call To Return To Yahweh
                                                  ZECHARIAH 1:1-6

                                 In vision clear the prophet saw
                                 Invisible to man God's cosmic plan
                                 Revealed in mystery's simple shapes
                                Ten awesome signs of global weight.

                                The drama on life's stage appeared
                                The sovereign Lord produced the plan
                                Four separate scenes before him passed
                                And then the Lord returned at last.

                                A call is heard before the start
                               "Return to Me with contrite heart
                                For Babylon's strength has been removed
                               And grace toward Judah is approved."

                               Then from the rubble-broken walls
                               Where once Shekinah's Glory dwelt
                               The angel's voice comes loud and clear
                               "He has remembered! He is here!"

                                The awful bondage from the past
                                Is now fulfilled as Yahweh said
                                So why is Israel in distress?
                                While Persia's rule gives nations rest?

                               The vision Zechariah saw
                               Outlines the course of Judah's call
                               To follow closely His command
                               Until with Christ they take their stand.

                               So gather round the prophet's stage
                               And watch this awesome sight unfold
                               For blessings fall on all who care
                              And from their hearts this message share.
                              --B. Pent

                                 THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. The three names: Zechariah; his father Berekiah; and grandfather Iddo together in Hebrew mean "Jehovah remembers and blesses in His time." What significance might these names have as they relate to the Book of Zechariah?

2. According to verse 4-6, what are some of the contributing factors which led to the Babylonian captivity?

3. Even after Cyrus urged the Jews to return to their homeland, why did so few leave and so many stay? Might it have something to do with
the comforts of Babylon or the broken down walls of Jerusalem? What do you think?

4. Verses 2 and 6b suggest that they were truly repentant of their past. What are some of the indication that they were returning to Yahweh