Love, Truth, and Peace

Zechariah 8:19 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.

Zechariah, whose name means “Yahweh Remembers,” was one of the postexilic prophets, a contemporary of Haggai. With Haggai, he was called to arouse the returned Jews to complete the task of reconstructing the temple (see Ezra 6:14). As the son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo, he came from one of the priestly families of the tribe of Levi. He is one of the most messianic of all the Old Testament prophets, giving distinct, verifiable references to the coming Messiah.

The Book of Zechariah begins with the impassioned word of the Lord for the people to repent and turn again to their God. The book is replete with Zechariah’s references to the word of the Lord. The prophet does not deliver his own message, but he faithfully transmits the message given to him by God. The people are called on to repent of their lethargy and complete the unfinished task.

God then assures His people of His love and care for them through a series of eight visions.

The vision of the man and the horses reminds the people of God’s watchful care.

In the vision of the man with the measuring line there is an apocalyptic glimpse of God’s beautiful, peaceful city.

The vision of the four horns and four craftsmen recalls God’s judgment, first on Judah and then on her enemies.

Joshua, the high priest, portrays cleansing from sin.

The magnificent vision of the lampstand among the olive trees assures Zerubbabel that God’s purposes will be accomplished only by His Spirit.

The flying scroll emits God’s pronouncement against stealing and lying.

The vision of the woman in a basket signifies the holiness of God and the removal of sin.

The vision of the four chariots depicts God’s sovereign control over the Earth.

The visions are followed by a coronation scene in which Joshua is crowned as both king and priest. This is powerfully symbolic of the coming Messiah.

Two references to Christ are of profound significance. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is described in detail in 9:9, four hundred years before the event (see Matt. 21:5; Mark 11:7–10).

Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will come as the Lord’s Servant the Branch (3:8), as the Man the Branch (6:12); as both King and Priest (6:13), and as the True Shepherd (11:4–11). He bears eloquent testimony to Christ’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (11:12, 13), His crucifixion (12:10), His sufferings (13:7), and His Second Advent (14:4).

One of the most dramatic verses of prophetic Scriptures is found in 12:10 when in the majority of manuscripts the first person is used: “Then they will look on Me whom they pierced.” Jesus Christ personally prophesied His eventual reception by the house of David.

As we live in harmony with God’s purpose to restore what has lain desolate, we rest in the assurance that God sovereignly governs the affairs of Earth.

The smitten Shepherd will be worshiped as King, and Israel will receive her Messiah. The task of world evangelization will be accomplished. Jesus shall reign.

Zechariah challenges his contemporaries and he challenges us to complete the task God has given us. This entails repentance for neglecting the building up of the house of God. Under the New Covenant, we are to give ourselves to the restoration and cleansing of the temple of God individually and corporately in the church. The glory of God emanating from a restored Zion is not the result of human ingenuity but rather the renewing ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The most often quoted Old Testament verse in reference to the work of the Holy Spirit is 4:6. Zerubbabel is comforted in the assurances 1) that the rebuilding of the temple will not be by military might or human prowess but by the ministry of the Spirit of God; 2) that the Holy Spirit will remove every obstacle that stands against the completion of God’s temple.

~The New Spirit Filled Bible