Zechariah 1:1-6 ESV [1] In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, [2] “The Lord was very angry with your fathers. [3] Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. [4] Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. [5] Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? [6] But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”
In the opening verses of the book of Zechariah, a powerful call to repentance resounds, echoing through the corridors of history and reaching into the depths of our hearts. If ever there was a time of revival needed, it is now. Just as the nation of Israel had turned away from God this generation too has turned. Nothing can help us to return to the Lord and forsake our sins but the living Word of God working within us repentance. Let’s embark on an expositional narrative, unraveling the profound spiritual truths of Zechariah 1:1-6, and drawing connections with parallel scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments.
A Divine Message for the Remnant
Zechariah 1:1-2 – “In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah…”
The stage is set with a specific timeframe, grounding the prophetic message in historical context. Zechariah, a chosen vessel of God, receives a divine message. His role is crucial in communicating God’s heart to the remnant returning from exile.
Parallel Passage: Haggai 1:1-2
“In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet…” (Haggai 1:1)
Haggai, a contemporary of Zechariah, also receives a divine message during the same timeframe. Both prophets play integral roles in encouraging the returning exiles to rebuild the temple. They were prophets during the post-exilic period in Jewish history. To understand the context, let’s delve into the historical background:
After the Babylonian Empire conquered the Kingdom of Judah, the Babylonians destroyed the city of Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BCE. The majority of the Jewish population was subsequently deported to Babylon in what is known as the Babylonian Captivity.
However, in 539 BCE, the Persian Empire, under King Cyrus, conquered Babylon. In a remarkable move, Cyrus allowed the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and even supported the rebuilding of their temple. This marked the beginning of the post-exilic period and proved that God can use even a wicked king for His purposes.
The returning exiles were those Jews who chose to go back to Jerusalem from Babylon. The task at hand was the reconstruction of the temple that had been destroyed decades earlier.
So, when we mention “encouraging the returning exiles to rebuild the temple,” it refers to the Jewish people who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem to restore their city and reconstruct the sacred temple. Haggai and Zechariah played crucial roles in motivating and guiding them in this monumental endeavor. They were revival preachers! Their assignment was to encourage people to work! When a church stops working it needs reviving.
We Also Are Building: Ephesians 2:19-22
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
In the New Testament, the imagery of a temple is extended to the community of believers. The apostles and prophets, including Haggai and Zechariah, are seen as foundational to this spiritual temple, with Christ as the cornerstone. The call to rebuild extends beyond physical structures to the spiritual edifice of the Church.
When we Stop Building: Revelation 2:4-5
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4-5) Jesus has direct and sometimes harsh words for those who fall away, become lukewarm, and turn the purpose of the church into a worldly club. We must be vigilant to continue the work that He has begun in us.
A Call to Repentance: Return to the Lord
Zechariah 1:3 – “Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.”
The essence of Zechariah’s message is distilled in a profound call to repentance. “Return to me,” declares the Lord. This call echoes the timeless truth that genuine repentance opens the way for divine restoration.
Drawing Near: James 4:8-10
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:8-10)
James emphasizes the need to draw near to God through repentance and humility. The promise of God’s drawing near is contingent on the sincerity of the heart.
Direct Command: Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” (Matthew 4:17)
Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry, emphasizes the same call to repentance. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and repentance becomes the gateway to entering God’s kingdom.
The Opposite Direction: Acts 3:19-20
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” (Acts 3:19-20)
In Peter’s sermon in Acts, he calls people to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The idea of turning back to God is a recurrent theme throughout the Bible.
Learning from History: Dangerous Disobedience
Zechariah 1:4 – “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.”
Zechariah draws attention to the historical patterns of disobedience. The forefathers received similar calls through the prophets, urging them to turn from evil ways. However, they remained obstinate. The present generation is admonished not to repeat these mistakes.
Don’t be Like Them: 1 Corinthians 10:6-7
“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did… do not be idolaters as some of them were…” (1 Corinthians 10:6-7)
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, points to the historical examples of disobedience as lessons for the present generation. He exhorts them not to follow the same pattern of rebellion.
The Unchanging Nature of God: A Promise of Restoration
Zechariah 1:5-6 – “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.'”
In these verses, the unchanging nature of God is highlighted. Human generations and even the prophets have a temporal existence, but God’s words endure. The reference to repentance and acknowledgment of divine dealings signals a pathway to restoration.
Jesus is the Same: Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
The writer of Hebrews underscores the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ. This consistency becomes the foundation for hope and restoration. When we repent He restores us. Hold my mule……I just want to praise Him a little! Did you hear that? When I confess my sins He forgives my sins and cleanses me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
He is Waiting: 2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Peter emphasizes God’s patience and desire for repentance. The promise of restoration is extended to all, reflecting the enduring nature of God’s words.
Responding to the Call of Repentance
In our fast-paced lives, amidst the cacophony of competing voices, the call to return to the Lord stands as a beacon of spiritual awakening. It invites us to examine our hearts, learn from the lessons of the past, and embrace genuine repentance that leads to divine restoration.
May we, like the remnant of Zechariah’s time, heed the call to return, recognizing the enduring nature of God’s words. As we embrace repentance, let us anticipate the gracious return of the Lord to our lives, bringing renewal, transformation, and a deeper communion with Him. Let this message of Zechariah echo in our hearts, prompting a sincere response to the timeless call of repentance.