I have never studied this book and can honestly say I have never heard anything about it from the Lutheran or Methodist tradition. It is there for a reason! There is so much future prophecy in all this that I didn't know was there.
Zechariah has visions from God. One commentary says that if we just read Haggai, we may assume that God is only about the temple. Well, is is concerned about sin, also and the book opens with the anger of God towards the "moms and dads" if this generation being addressed. The nations surrounding Judah are living "in ease" and there is wonder as to why wicked people seem to prosper. God will bring the judgement that they deserve.
Zechariah sees 4 horns...These are oppressing governments and God will judge them because the 4 craftsmen follow the 4 horns.
Zechariah sees a man measuring the city to make room for all the people that would one day fill the city...this is a major restoration theme. God will protect his people.
I love when Zechariah sees the high priest clothed in the dirty clothes of sin. Satan is the accuser and God rejects the accusations and clothes the high priest with clean garments..
Zechariah sees a lampstand that is kept constantly burning. This represents the Holy Spirit....this gives us the power to do what we need to do, not our own will or strength.
Zechariah sees a flying scroll which represents God's curse. Every person will be judged according to his/her own sin......this is not about what "parents" did to make God mad. We have to take responsibility for our own sin.
He sees a woman in a basket. The Hebrew word for wicked is a feminine word, so this is probably where the female representation comes into play, according to the scholars. The angel packs her up and sends her away. Sin is now being removed from society.
And finally, Zechariah sees 4 horses and 4 chariots.....many scholars think this equates to the 4 world powers that oppress Judah.....Judgement will come on anyone who oppresses God's people.
Whew! Wonder what it is like to have a vision? The key thing I see is KNOWING THAT IT IS FROM GOD! I assure you that if God has a message He wants you to get, He has every way to make His message known!
Lot's to absorb, huh!
Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.
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I must say...these visions and your explanation were pretty cool.....thanks for your input to help me understand.....
ReplyDeleteIn my bible.....6:13....it state that from earliest times, ancient Jews recognized this passage as a prophecy of the Messiah to come. In the Messiah, both the priestly and the royal lines would merge - something unprecedented and unique. So the high priest, Joshua provided a compelling picture of the greater Savior to come, Jesus. Also it states that Joshua mean "God saves" and that Jesus is a different form of the same name.