Proper Priorities

There they were in their ancestral homeland, and yet the people of God were not really at home. The old timers, perhaps even Haggai himself, told stories about Jerusalem in its glory before the city’s destruction in 586 bc(2:3). But what they found in their return from exile in 538 was dispiriting.

Longing for the Future

Even in moments of eagerness, the spectre of discouragement still dogs the people of God. “Does anyone remember how glorious this Temple used to be? Now it looks like nothing,” the old timers said. One can imagine their commentary. “It’s not nearly as big.” “The old one was full of gold; this is looking rather plain.”

Sin’s Antibiotic

The returned exiles are three months into the rebuilding project. The foundation of the Temple has been laid and, as it is now late autumn, the people have begun to turn their attention to agriculture. Seeds must be sown if there is a crop to be harvested in the spring. Perhaps as a way of refocusing their industry, …

Motivating Memories

We all have things in our past that we would like to forget. Indeed, it is true that there are some things that are best forgotten. But our memories are important, for, as painful as they may be at times, they can teach us valuable lessons.

The oracles of the prophet Zechariah begin with an appeal to the people of Judah to remember their past.

A City Without Walls

It is with a great sense of relief that the returned exiles heard that God will restore the Temple and establish it in an environment of security and prosperity (1:16-17). But then, in a vision, Zechariah sees a building official with his tape measure, and he is surveying more than the footprint of the Temple. He is mapping out the whole city.

Read More God’s presence, God’s plans

Uncovering Layers of Meaning

“But, sir, what do these mean?” (4:4). These two chapters of the book describe the fourth and fifth (of eight) visions given to the prophet Zechariah. The style is often called “apocalyptic,” from the Greek word meaning “uncover” or “expose.” The idea is that an image is being presented that has an underlying meaning that must be revealed if it is to be understood.

Lying, Stealing and Idolatry

Having addressed some of the external obstacles to the restoration of the community’s religious life, Zechariah now receives a vision that is disturbing because of how personal it is. There is some comfort in blaming factors beyond our control when things are not going in a positive direction.

Priest and King

Zechariah’s prophecy opens with a vision of a team of four mounted messengers sent into the world on a reconnaissance mission (1:7-11). Their report that there is “peace” angers the Lord, however, because it indicates that the nations believe that they have got away with their perpetration of evil against God’s people.

True Fasting

As a way of keeping the community memory alive, the Jerusalem exiles gave themselves to rituals at certain times of the year. In the fifth month, for instance, they would abstain from food as they lamented the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, which occurred in the fifth month (August) of 587 bc.

Remembering the Future

Painful memories can often be an incentive for achieving a better future. And there has been much in Zechariah’s words to the people of Jerusalem and Judah to motivate them to change by reminding them of their difficult past. But now Zechariah adds a new note to his sermon: it is a glimpse of the future God has in store for them.