The Future of God’s House and People: The Message of Zechariah - Cameron Jungles - 8-28-2013

The Future of God’s House and People: The Message of Zechariah
(Eastside Baptist/Wed PM/August 28, 2013)

Setting and Context

• Zechariah the prophet
• “Yahweh Remembers”
• Ministered in Jerusalem after the return from exile
• Contemporary of Haggai
• Priest
• Nov 520 to Dec 518 B.C.
• Discouragement from opposition
• Complacency of selfishness
• Temptation to return to old sins that sent them to exile
• Daunting task of rebuilding
• Message : God has not forsaken his city, temple, or people.

Structure & Message

• Zechariah the Prophet (1:1)
• Call to Repentance(1:2-6)
• Don’t be like your ancestors who refused to listen to the prophets.
• They died and went into exile.
• Return to the Lord.
• 8 Night Visions (1:7-6:15)
• 1: The Lord is returning to Jerusalem – build his house!
• 2 & 3: God will deal with external opposition, including judgment of Judah’s enemies.
• 4 & 5: God is with Judah’s leadership: Joshua and Zerubbabel.
• 6 & 7: God will deal with internal opposition, including banishing evil from Judah.
• 8: God has provided rest from enemies - build his house!
• Night visions were given to comfort and encourage God’s people to rebuild his temple; he is with them and has not forsaken them.
• True Fasting and Future blessing of Jerusalem (7:1-8:23)
• Fasting without obedience is meaningless.
• True fasting is accompanied by justice, love, and mercy.
• Promise of future blessing on God’s holy city of Jerusalem.
• Zion’s King and Glorious Future for God’s People (9:1-11:17)
• Judgment on the nations
• Restoration of Davidic King and reunification of God’s people
• God’s true Shepherd King will be rejected by the people (11:7-13).
• Final Triumph of God’s King (12:1-14:21)
• Suffering shepherd who is killed
• In the end, God’s Kingdom will defeat all foes and will rule the whole world eternally in peace.

Important Themes

• God is faithful to his covenant and has not abandoned his people. He restores them by grace.
• God brings comfort and encouragement to the weary.
• God values his presence among his people. He will dwell with them and be their God.
• God calls for his people to repent, be spiritually renewed, and obey his commands.
• God will judge his (and his peoples’) enemies.
• God will establish his universal, eternal kingdom of peace through his righteous, suffering Shepherd King.

“Jesus Lens” and Application

• The temple that Zechariah was encouraging the people to build is fulfilled in a greater way in Jesus, “God with us” (Jn. 1:14)
• Zechariah’s future Shepherd King who will be rejected but who will ultimately rule is none other than Jesus Christ.
• Zechariah’s prophecies of the Messiah entail a two stage “coming” – fulfilled in a suffering and reigning Shepherd King.
• We are called to build God’s house, the church of Jesus.
• We are called to a life of peace, righteousness, justice, and mercy.