Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Zechariah turned and saw four chariots coming out from between two mountains of bronze. The first was red, then black, then white, and then dappled. They went out north and south – which makes sense if they went from Jerusalem since there are bodies of water to the east and west – and from there to the rest of the earth. They brought peace to the north. Then the Lord spoke and said the people were to make an elaborate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the high priest. They were to speak to him and declare that the Man whose name is the Branch (Jesus) from this place (Jerusalem) would bear glory. He would rule from his throne and be a priest on his throne and the council of peace would be between them. This crown they were to make was to be a memorial in the Temple.

Two years later, the Lord spoke to Zechariah again. The people and sent representatives to ask whether they should still be fasting in the fifth and seventh months of the year. The people had been doing this because of the poor state of the Israelites and the fact there was no Temple. Now they were rebuilding the Temple, returning to the Land, and starting to prosper. Should they still fast? The Lord said, but when you fasted did you do it for Me? The Lord challenged the state of their heart. He had warned them before about their hearts, they had ignored Him, and that’s why they got dragged into captivity. The Lord told Zechariah to proclaim: execute true justice, show mercy and compassion, do not oppress the widows or the orphans or the poor or the immigrant/visitors to your nation, and let no one plan evil against another. This is what they had been told to do. This is not what they did. So He scattered them and the Land became desolate. Their hearts weren’t right and the Lord wanted the people’s hearts right.

The Lord spoke to Zechariah again. he had great zeal for Jerusalem and His people. He will return to Jerusalem and dwell there. It would be called the City of Truth and the Holy Mountain, Mountain of the Lord of Hosts. There would be a long period of peace in the city. It will seem unbelievable to those who heard Zechariah, but to God? It was not a big thing. He WOULD do this. He would save them from the land of the east and the land of the west, and bring them back. They would dwell in Jerusalem and would be His people and He would be their God in truth and righteousness. They were to be strong and move forward building the Temple because they would be blessed if they did. They would be a blessing in the nations, fruitful vines. God was determined to do good to them. To give them truth, justice, and peace. The Lord spoke to Zechariah again and encouraged them to keep the four fasts, but to keep them in joy and gladness. A time of rejoicing. What were fasts, should become feasts. More and more people would return to Jerusalem and the Land. People would see their prosperity and want to come to worship there. People would grab hold of the robes of the Jews begging to be taken there because they had heard God was with them.

“An oracle. The word of Yahweh is against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus is its resting place. For to Yahweh belongs the eye of humankind, and all the tribes of Israel, and also Hamath, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon—yes, they are very wise.” (Zechariah 9:1-2)

When Israel again became prosperous, the Lord would defend them. These nations had built themselves strongholds and powerful influence. God would cast them out. God would destroy their idols. He would cast out their abominations. He Himself would camp around His house. No oppressors would pass through to His people. He called for them to rejoice greatly. To shout with thanksgiving because their King was coming to them. He was just and was coming with salvation. He was low, but riding the symbol of kings: a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey (Jesus did this in Matthew 21). He would speak peace to the nations and His dominion would be throughout the whole Earth. The prisoners would be set free. They would be restored. The Lord of hosts would defend them and devour all that came against them. He will save them in that day as the flock of His people. He would lift them up like a banner. Like jewels in a crown. The produce of the Land would make the young people thrive.

Summary

Key Players: God, Zechariah

Key Verse(s): Zechariah 6:9-15; 7:1-7; 8:19-23; 9:9-17