Hope in Hopeless Times

Hope in Hopeless times Zechariah 1:7-18

Zechariah having spoken a word of challenge to them now speaks words of encouragement and hope to them through a series of visions that he is given all in the same night, February 15, 519 BC. This means they were given 3 months after his call to repentance (Anders). They are 1) a man and troop of horses among myrtle trees (1:7-17), 2) four horns and four craftsmen (1:18-21), 3) a man with a measuring line (2:1-13), 4) a provision of cleansing of Joshua the high Priest (3:1-10), 5) a gold lampstand with two olive trees (4:1-14), 6) a flying scroll (5:1-4), 7) a women representing wickedness seated in a basket (5:5-11), 8) four chariots going out into the whole world (6:1-8), 9) the crowning of Joshua the High Priest (6:9-15). (Boice) These visions were given as a powerful incentive to complete the building of the Lord’s house with Joyous enthusiasm. (Laetsch).

This first vision was to express God’s concern for his people and bring hope into their devastated lives. (Anders) Apparently the people had obeyed and so in the next prophetic revelation there were no more rebukes and reprimands, but words of encouragement and blessing (Laetsch). “I have returned “ (v16), this statement is showing that God is fulfilling his promise to return to them, if they return to him (v. 3), so apparently they had returned to him and his plan and purpose for which he released them from captivity to rebuild the temple.

People who need hope v. 8 He was standing among the myrtle trees This tree was small and rugged and had a delicate fragrant white flower. The flower was worn by brides and the branches were used to build booths (Shelters for people to sleep in) all over Jerusalem during the feast of Tabernacles or booths (Neh 8:15) (Leatsch) These trees represent Israel. Evergreen, it illustrates the Jewish people’s staying quality throughout history. Being small (it only grows to about 8ft), it illustrates the insignificant state of the nation when compared with the gentile world powers. Israel is not likened to a cedar of Lebanon, which is majestic, or an oak tree, which is strong. Having blossoms that emit a sweet fragrance when crushed, it illustrates the strange grace of Israel in affliction. (Boice) The sweet-smelling myrtle trees symbolize the people of God, pleasing and precious to him (Anders).

The Position that calls for hope v. 8 in the glen 10 So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, 'These are they whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.' 11 And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, 'We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.' 12 Then the angel of the LORD said, 'O LORD of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?' The trees being in a “glen” or ravine or low-lying area points to the particularly low state of the people during this time. (Boice) The ravine” is presumably the Kidron Valley between the mount of Olives and the temple

mount, it represents Israel’s present lowly and degraded position among the nations of the earth. (Anders). The myrtle trees and the rider are in a valley. . . . being a low place it symbolizes that Israel was in a time of deep humiliation. The people had been taken into exile, their temple destroyed, The were now coming back to rebuild but faced great opposition. (Fries). They were still under the powers of the Persian Empire. They weren’t free yet, but they were better then they were, able to come back to rebuild Jerusalem, the temple and their lives.

The Presence that brings Hope v. 8 "I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! 11 And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, 12 Then the angel of the LORD said The man riding on the red horse is identified as “the angel of the Lord”. This title is given to one throughout the OT. In Gen 16:7 the one given this title is also given the name “the God how sees” This angel is clearly identified with Jehovah. Gen 18 says” the Lord” (18:3, 10, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 22, etc) appeared to Abraham as one of three “men” who came to him, two of which are later identified as angels (19:1). When Abraham sees the Lord he bows down and worships him, the “man” doesn’t reject his gesture thus suggesting that the one who receives his adoration is the divine manifestation of Jesus. In Ex 3:2—6 one identified as “the angel of the Lord” appears to Moses at the burning bush. This angel is later identified as the Lord, and God himself (v 6 ) He received worship from Moses that no heavenly angel would have accepted (5). He even identifies his name as Yahweh “I am who I am” (v 14). In Joshua 5:13-15 ( Ex 23:20) the figure that appeared to him identified himself as the “commander of the army of the Lord” and was worshipped by Joshua , even requiring Joshua to remove his shoes because the place he was standing was holy. The fact that angel of the Lord is consistently referred to as divine and receives worship, which no heavenly angel would receive, suggest that this figure is the second person of the Trinity or a preincarnate manifestation of Jesus himself. (Boice). This “angel” (literally messenger) is a manifestation of the preincarnate Christ, Here he is clearly in command of the other riders (angels) and they report to him (Lindsey) So, the man standing in the Myrtle trees is Jesus himself. God is saying through Zechariah I am with you in the midst of my people, even without a temple which is my dwelling place Jesus is the manifestation of my presence (Matt 1:23Jn 1:1, 14, Col 1:15-19). Is this not a comfort to you? In Zechariah’s time Jesus is in the midst of his people Israel. He is also in the midst of his chosen people, the church . . . He is in the midst of whatever true Christian gathering you might belong to, and he is with you whoever you may be – so long as you have really turned from sin to follow Jesus as your Lord and savior. He is there to challenge you. He comforts you by the teachings and promises of scripture. (Boice) Behold the man riding upon a red horse . . . This is to show his swiftness, He flies upon the wings of the wind to defend his people . . . Riding on the horse is a symbol of his zeal. He comes with all power and might, flying with all speed, so that none of his people should perish. He shows himself strong on behalf of them that serve him, and is jealous for them with a fervent jealously. . . . Rejoice oh you people of God, that Jesus is in the midst of his saints with his sword girt to his thigh (Spurgeon).

The Promise that assures Hope 13 And the LORD answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.16 Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 17 Cry out again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.'" God loves his people with a jealous, unfailing love, we can depend on His comfort even when enemies appear to be prosperous and the consequences for our past failures linger. Through “the Angel of the Lord” God extended overcoming comfort to Israel (and us) in significant ways; 1) He showed concern for their situation: (v 10-11) The horsemen, whom the angel of the Lord sent in every direction to survey the situation of the earth, demonstrated God’s care for the state of his people. Then, as now, God is “very compassionate and merciful” (Jas 5:11), toward those who are hurting. (Fries) The patrols are symbolic of the fact that God knew what was happening to his people and was concerned (Anders). These riders present a graphic image of the omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence of God. They represent the exercise and revelation of his sovereignty. These riders brought hope to a people who from an earthly perspective were under the rule and power of the Persian government. Kings may be powerful, but God is all powerful, present and perceptive. His sovereignty is manifested in his care for, comradery with and control over the affairs of men. This is great comfort to God’s people in affliction. God is present in our families, our homes, our workplaces, our city, and the nations. He sees all things so that we are never far from his gaze. He knows what is happening to all his children and is present with us everywhere, even though we may not be able to see this. And where he is he is sovereign, a truth that brings hope to tearful eyes and strength to trembling hands. (Phillips)

2) He interceded on their behalf: (v 12) “The Angel of the Lord:” Himself articulated the heart cry of Zechariah and all of God’s people. They wondered how long the world would be at peace in its rebellion against God. They wondered how much longer since their return was God going to allow Israel’s oppressors to enjoy their spoils while he withheld mercy from Israel. God answers with words of comfort. This brings hope to us as we pray as God invites his people to unburden their cares to him, for his affections are tender in the intimate concern he bears for all his children. (Phillips). Also, we see that here the petition is based on the promise of God from Jeremiah concerning the 70 years. We see that if we are going to pray according to the will of God we must pray according to the Word of God. We will have to know what God has promised and then pray that he will do what he has promised to do (Phillips) The Bible promises that Jesus, “the angel of the Lord”, is at the right hand of God interceding for us (Rom 8:34) He always lives to intercede for us (Heb 7:25). 3) He spoke words of encouragement: (v 13) The kind and comforting words of the Lord brought encouragement to Zechariah, which he could then share with the people (2 Cor 1:3-4) (Fries). Comforting words (v 13) are of no value whatever if the one who speaks them has no power to put them in effect. The God who promises to restore Jerusalem is the lord of the whole earth, and it is he, not the Persian emperor, who will ultimately determine what happens in it. (Motyer). He was intimately present in their lives: The angel of the Lord “stood among the myrtle trees”. During Israel’s time of physical weakness, emotional anguish, and spiritual discouragement, the son of God was in the midst of God’s people, as he is now (Ps 34:18, Is 61:1-4) (Fries). There were 6 comforting words form God through Zechariah for the people:

1) God cares for his people; v 14 -15 God is zealous in his watch care over and deep concern for Israel. He had seen their plight and was very angry with the nations who had mistreated them. The nations had opposed God’s people, although God had been angry with their fathers, the nations mistreating of Israel went far beyond anything God condoned. (Anders) He was angry with the nations because of their mistreatment of his people by using excessive force and brutality (Motyer) (15b) Often we feel the same, when we look at the unbelieving world and everyone seems happy. People indulge in sin, they mock your piety and sometimes God’s people are cruelly persecuted by those who flaunt their wickedness. But sin ultimately does not win in the end. (Phillips) Those who think themselves happy, and flatter themselves and exult in their condition, they are in the most miserable state; for all happiness leads to ruin which does not flow from the fountain of God’s gracious love. (Calvin). 2) The request for God’s mercy was granted. God sees and sympathizes with their plight and promises that despite what little they have and whatever troubles surround them he will bless those who have his favor. (Phillips) God has an intense (jealous) determination to bless and prosper his people, especially by ensuring that their work of rebuilding his temple is brought to a successful completion. These words are good news for people who have repented of living as if God doesn’t matter and put their hand again to the work of his kingdom. He has “returned to Jerusalem with mercy” Here is great hope for those who feel disillusioned, defeated and discouraged. (Motyer) 3) The temple would be completed: The temple was destroyed in 586BC and its rebuilding was completed in 516BC exactly 70 years (Jer 25:11-12, 29:10) So even the delay because they had stopped building, did not delay God’s plan and the fulfilment of prophecy. God will accomplish his plans in his time according to his purpose and no earthly (or heavenly) delays or disobedience will stop his plan from being fulfilled. 4) Jerusalem would be rebuilt. This is an encouraging promise because Jerusalem, still mainly in ruins, would be rebuilt. 5) The nation would grow as towns in Judah would spring up and prosper. So, by the time of Jesus the nation was thriving and overrunning with people. 6) Jerusalem would once again occupy a special place as the Lord’s chosen city especially as the place of ministry and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. (Anders)