Zechariah 1:1-17
Saturday, 27 March 2021
“…Return to Me… and I will return to you...” -Zechariah 1:3
The book of Zechariah is written to exhort the returned remnant of God’s people to repent of their evil ways, return to the Lord and rebuild the Temple. The people had just returned from exile and felt their future was uncertain. God through His messenger comforts them and gives them hope for the future that He would send the Messiah to establish His Kingdom and destroy the Gentile empires. We can see that God always had the redemption plan set for His people all throughout the Bible. His constant love for the crown of His creation—humankind, desires to see them reconciled to Him.
God’s call to repentance
Chapter 1 begins with the call of repentance. God continues to remind the people to return from their evil ways and not to walk in the path their forefathers did that brought about punishment. It was their disobedience that caused the separation and brought judgement. God who always longed to have a relationship with His people would constantly call them back even though they strayed from Him and His love. That’s why He says in V3 “…Return to Me… and I will return to you...”
The same is seen to this very day. 1 John 4:10 says “… not that we loved God, but that He loved us…” The central theme of the Bible displays God’s love for mankind through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). His message and His messengers call people back to “Repent and Return!” 2 Peter 3:9 [NLT] reminds us that God “… is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
God’s powerful presence
In Vs.7 - 11 Zechariah sees a vision of horses among the myrtle trees. This symbolically points to Christ and His angels whose presence is there amongst His people. In 2Kings 6, being surrounded by the King’s army, Elisha was calm for he could see the mountain that was full of horses and chariots of fire around him (2 Kings 6:17). This is the depth of God’s presence for His people. Psalm 34:7 [NET] says: “The angel of the LORD camps around the LORD’s loyal followers and delivers them.” God’s children can be encouraged by what Elisha spoke: “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)—the powerful invisible presence of the Lord that surrounds His people!
God’s protection and blessing
Vs.13-17 emphasize three things from the Lord:
His compassion towards His people
His anger towards the nations that oppressed His people
His promise to restore them
These words from the Lord are assurances that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Like how a Father protects his child, our Father in heaven watches out for each of us. He is our refuge and strength, and nothing can happen without His knowledge. How great is His compassion for His people!
Understanding God’s heart, seeking you to return, ask yourself today, “Am I still drowning in sin? Am I still walking in the path of wickedness? Are there areas that displease the Lord?” Today God calls out to you to repent and return to Him! 1 John 1:9 [GW] assures us: “God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, He forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong.” Our God is compassionate, ever loving and ever protecting and longs to have you reunited to Him.
Promise:
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)