Words of Comfort, Words of Kindness, From the Lord of Hosts.

The Man Among the Myrtle Trees - Part 1

Zechariah receives 8 visions.  They all came in one night. ("Since the date notice—the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month Shebat (January-February), in the second year of Darius (519 B.C.)—accompanies the first vision, and the next time reference is not until 7:1, it is assumed that all eight visions came one after another on a single night (v. 8)." [1]  They do form a unity of revelation. There is an overall message.   The first vision in Zechariah 1:7–17 is important to setting the unit of thought. This is the vision of the man among the myrtle trees.

“During the night I had a vision, and there before me was a man mounted on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.” (Zechariah 1:8, NIV).  Who were these myrtle trees?  Who were the horses?  A man (The Angel of the Lord) standing in the grove of myrtle trees explained to Zechariah: "They are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth" (v10). They report to the Angel of the Lord what is going on around the world.  "We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace" (v11).  How is it possible that the whole world is at peace when God's people are in such disarray?

The Angel of the Lord asks the Lord Almighty, "How long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah,a which you have been angry with these seventy years?" (v12) So with kind and comforting words, the Lord Almighty said,

 “Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment.’ “Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the Lord Almighty. “Proclaim further: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’ ”” (Zechariah 1:14–17, NIV)

What appears to be an anomaly: nations at peace; Israel in a state of unrest, is going to be reversed. God is going to return mercy to His people; rebuild His House; and pour out blessing on His Nation. While evil seems to prosper, God's heart is attuned to His people. "“Although God's covenant people are troubled while the oppressing nations are at ease, God is "jealous" for his people and will restore them, their towns, and the temple." [2]

There is a lot more here to consider next, however, it is good to recognize that "the distinctive features of comfort for Israel in this first vision are: (1) the presence of the Angel of Jehovah in the midst of degraded and depressed Israel; (2) His loving and yearning intercession for them; (3) the promises of future blessings." [2] 

The Psalmist wrote: “I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.” (Psalm 85:8, NIV).  

Father, what nourishment to my soul to hear words of peace at the start of this day. Unlike Zechariah's day, the nations are in uproar.  Today there is fear and futility everywhere.  And what mercy to hear words of comfort for You today.  “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37–39, NIV).  Grant to me and all who love You, this resounding confidence that You are ever committed to Your people and nothing can separate us from Your love.  May this confidence breed holiness.  May this peace erupt in Christ-exalting perseverance in our walk with You.  “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17, NIV)

 

 

 

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1. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zec 1:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
2. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/II. A Series of Eight Night Visions (1:7-6:8)/A. The First Vision: The Horseman Among the Myrtle Trees (1:7-17), Book Version: 4.0.2