God remembers, God blesses and God has a plan!

Today I start a new study in the Old Testament book of Zechariah.  Some refer to Zechariah as the "prophet of Advent." He includes in his prophecy more about the coming Christ than any other minor prophet. He makes frequent mention of both the First and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Zechariah was born during the 700 years of Israel's captivity in Babylon, about 500 years before the birth of Christ. He was a younger colleague of Haggai.  He was in Babylon, prophesying to his own people, Israel. His main role was to encourage the Israelites to keep building the Temple back in Jerusalem.  He does this by encouraging the people that God has a longterm future plan for His people.   As Zechariah looks into the future the time is telescoped as we see future snapshots of what God is going to do.

The New Testament writers frequently refer to this Old Testament book.  Here's how the book opens in Zechariah 1:1 (NIV),

¹ In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo:

It is October - November 520 years before Christ's birth. Usually, in the Old Testament, Israel's history was related to their current king.  With no king and to set the context within the historical timeline, Zechariah helps us understand where they are in terms of the reign of Darius.  Darius was a Persian king who reigned from 522-485 B.C.  "Darius continued Cyrus the Great’s policy of restoring the Jewish people to their homeland. In 520 B.C., Darius’ second year as king (Hag. 1:1; Zech. 1:1), the Jews resumed work on the still unfinished Temple in Jerusalem. Darius assisted with the project by ordering it to continue and even sending a generous subsidy to help restore worship in the Temple (Ezra 6:1–12). [1]

That phrase, "the word of the LORD came to the prophet" is a technical phrase meaning that Zechariah received a prophetic word of revelation from God. "This so-called word-event formula occurs approximately thirty times in Jeremiah and fifty times in Ezekiel." [2]  Zechariah's lineage connects him to the priesthood.   

"... Came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo." "Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers”; Berechiah means “Jehovah blesses”; and Iddo means “the appointed time”. Together, the three names afford a suggestion concerning the nature of the prophecy—Jehovah remembers and blesses Israel and at the appointed time sends the messages she needs." [3] 

About 50,000 Israelites had landed in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, about this time.  Work had started on rebuilding the Temple and commencing sacrifices.  But the work had halted.  The people were discouraged.  God sent them a "good cop / bad cop."    Malachi's prophecy was convicting and correcting.  Zechariah's approach was to show them God's grand purposes both now and in the future. Zechariah's goal was to paint the glory of God in a manner that would instill, incite and invigorate God's people.

God remembers, God blesses and God has a plan!  

Father we are quick to point fingers at those Israelites who stalled in their work of rebuilding the Temple.  To us it seems that had it all, even a pagan king was on their side.  But I know what it is to coast.   I know what it is to want to 'chuck it' when things get hard.  It's not hard to identify with discouragement and despair.  Sometimes I need a Malachi to come and give me a big massive kick in the derrière. But sometimes I need a Zechariah who will paint a picture in the midst of the slough of something bigger, grander, more glorious.  Thank you for this early reminder that in the middle of all that's difficult; when life halts and hangs up with hopelessness, You come along and remind us that You see, You care, You bless and You have a plan.  It is not just Israel who can hear you say, "“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). And the greatest plan to give hope and energy is the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom it is said, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV).  Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen!

 

  

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1. Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. 1995 (R. F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, R. K. Harrison & Thomas Nelson Publishers, Ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

2. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/I. The Introduction to the Entire Book (1:14)/A. The Date and the Author's Name (1:1), Book Version: 4.0.2

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1794). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.