Walking Through the Bible: Zechariah 9-11

Over these last chapters the prophetic focus will be on the gentile nations, the Jewish nation, and the coming Messiah. Zechariah 9 begins with a burden against several nations, the land of Hadrach, the Syrian capital of Damascus, Hamath, Tyre and Sidon (V1-8) then shifts to the coming King, the Messiah (V9).

This Scripture was fulfilled at the triumphal entrance into Jerusalem by Jesus (Matthew 21:4-5). Verse 10 speaks of Christ’s second coming when He will stop a war against Israel and bring peace to the earth. Zechariah foretold how God would save His people (V16), restore them (Zechariah 10), strengthen them, bring them back, and have mercy as though He had not cast them aside (V6). However, before this takes place God has to deal with their unfaithfulness (V4).

There is some conjecture as to who the three shepherds of verse 8 are. It may be speaking of prophets, priests, and kings, those charged with leading the people, but were false leaders. Even Zechariah wasn’t willing to serve such petulant children and asked for his wages (V12) and was given the sum that was paid to Judas for betraying Jesus. And God said to him, “Throw it to the potter”.

Judas did this after realizing he had betrayed an innocent man. The priests in Jesus’ day purchased a field with it for burying the poor, the field where Judas hung himself. These verses vividly portray the rejection and betrayal of Jesus. 

Walking Through the Bible: Zechariah 1-8

Zechariah was a priest who was born in Babylon. He and his family returned with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:1) during the reign of Darius around 520 BC (Zechariah 1). God gave him eight visions concerning the rebuilding of the temple and the reign of Messiah in the later days. Rebellion had exiled them and now God used Zechariah to encourage the people not to continue in rebellion (V2-4).

In the visions God spoke good and comforting words (V13) and offered mercy and promised His house would be rebuilt (V16). Though they had been scattered by the four horns, empires which had taken them away, craftsmen were sent by God to bring down these empires which had mistreated God’s people (V18-21). Jerusalem would be rebuilt (Zechariah 2) and flourish.

Joshua, as high priest, represented the people before God, but Satan oppose him. However, God removed his filthy garments and clothed him as Christ does us, taking our sins and washing us white through His blood (Zechariah 3).

Next, Zechariah was shown a vision of a lampstand with seven lamps (Zechariah 4. Previous temples were built using human strength. But God would build a temple for Himself through the oil of the Holy Spirit. Not by men’s might or power, but by God’s Spirit (V6).

Then Zechariah saw a huge flying scroll representing the curse of the law (Zechariah 5). Those who break it will suffer. This was followed by a vision of a woman, defined in verse 8 as wickedness and taken back to the land of Shinar (Babylon) the representation of evil.

Finally, Zechariah saw angelic beings (Zechariah 6) being sent out to protect and guard Israel. Zechariah was then told to take a gift from the captives, the returning exiles, and use it to make a crown for Joshua the high priest.

This is unusual because priests were never kings and kings were never priests. But Jesus, a descendant of David, will be both King and Priest (V12-13) and would be the one to rebuild the temple in the last days. 

Walking Through the Bible: Haggai 1-2

Some time after Cyrus issued his decree for the temple to be rebuilt, Haggai was one of four to be sent to Israel to encourage the returned to continue the work of rebuilding.

We might start a work for God with great enthusiasm, but then lose steam as the work gets hard. Haggai gives reasons for why this might happen. They had started to focus on their own needs over the work that God had set (Haggai 1). They said that it wasn’t the right time (V2).

Sixteen years earlier they had built the foundation and then abandoned the work. So Haggai asked, “Is it time for you to dwell in your house while God’s house lies in ruins (V4)?

God had been faithful in bringing them back after the exile, but they stopped doing what God had told them to do. They were busy with lots of things but were more concerned about themselves than God (V5-6). God asked them to consider their priorities but their priorities didn’t include glorifying God (V8-9).

When we do what everyone else does, we don’t bring glory to Him. But when we are obedient everyone else sees our true priority is to bring God glory. The people responded to Haggai’s words and got back to work; and God was with them (V13-14).

Another reason they stopped was that they were too focused on the glory of the former temple. The temple of Solomon, designed by David, was magnificent. This new temple might not be as grand (Haggai 2), but God was still the same (V5).

Looking at the past might be nostalgic, but it can trap us in the present and prevent our future from unfolding. No matter the past, what is God doing now?  

What can stop the work of God is unconfessed sin and that was also a problem (V14). They were going through the motions, but weren’t carrying through (V15-19). They also didn’t believe God. Unbelief can stop the work of God in its tracks. The work they were doing was hard and there was opposition and they lost heart.

We see through eyes dimly and forget the future that awaits. We have a relatively short time on earth compared to eternity, yet most of our time and our thoughts are on the here and now, not the there and then (V21-23). Nothing should stop us from the future that awaits us. 

Walking Through the Bible: Zephaniah 1-3

Zephaniah was from the Royal bloodline of king Hezekiah and was probably the last prophet before the fall of Judah and prophesied during the reign of good king Josiah who brought many spiritual reforms. But it was too late and the people were stuck in their sinful ways for which Zephaniah took them to task. The message he brought was a message of coming judgment, but also left hope for a future restoration.

It may seem harsh for God to punish with the purpose to restore, but sometimes that is what it takes to get our attention. As a cancer needs to be excised and may cause hurt and pain to healthy flesh, so God excises sin. His anger is but for a moment, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). He was going to stretch out His hand against Judah (V4) to destroy every trace of Baal and the idolatrous priests and those who turned from following the Lord (V6). God was bringing a day of wrath, trouble, and distress (V15).

The things they took comfort in, wealth, possessions, and prosperity would be taken from them (V18) and this is a precursor of what will take place in the last days. God gave them a chance to repent (Zephaniah 2), to seek the Lord, and righteousness, and humility (V3).

Not only Judah would be judged but the surrounding nations too (V4, 8, 12). Though the prophet’s cry was one of destruction, the message of God was eventual restoration (Zephaniah 3:8).

We must look beyond God’s anger and wrath and see God’s love and determination to turn people to Himself (V9), those who trust in the name of the Lord (V12). He will bring them back and gather them and give them fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth (V20). This will have its fulfillment in the millennial reign of Jesus on the earth in the last days. 

Walking Through the Bible: Habakkuk 1-3

Habakkuk asked a question we have all asked, “Why does God allow iniquity and trouble, strife and contention (Habakkuk 1)? It seems as if the law is powerless (V4).

It may seem that way to us, but God has been clear, He will punish evil and those that commit evil (V5). Indeed, at that time God was going to bring the Chaldeans agains Israel and Egypt and Assyria (V6). Habakkuk wasn’t expecting that, but he knew God cannot behold evil or look on wickedness (V13). All he could do was wait and watch (Habakkuk 2).

The vision God gives him is for an appointed time (V3). We might not fully understand God’s purpose, but like Habakkuk, we hold on to faith (V4) and wait for God to bring an end to all things until the earth is filled with the knowledge of the glory of God (V14).

The vision is of judgment, so Habakkuk prayed (Habakkuk 3) to find rest in the day of trouble (V16). As terrible as the end will be we can still find joy in the Lord because He is our salvation (V18). The Lord God is our strength (V19). 

Walking Through the Bible: Nahum 1-3

A hundred years after Jonah warned Nineveh, they turned from their repentance and slipped back into sin and God brings a word of judgment against them through Nahum.

Nahum shows God as jealous and vengeful against His adversaries. Though He is slow to anger He Will not acquit the wicked (V2-3). God must deal with wickedness if He is to be regarded as righteous. Would we think an earthly judge is righteous if he acquits the murderer and the rapist?

The cross is the example of both God’s justice and mercy. Those who sin will suffer the consequences unless they repent and receive the price Christ paid for our sins. This is indeed good tidings, a proclamation of peace written in the blood of God’s only Son. But for those who reject His offer of peace, destruction (Nahum 2:13).

Nineveh had returned to its old ways. It was full of lies and robbery (Nahum 3) and had brought seductive harlotries and sorceries to other nations (V4). So God was against them (V5). There was no restoration because of their rejection of His offering of peace. No healing for their severe wound (V19). 

Walking Through the Bible: Micah 4-7

Micah now looks to the future and the millennial kingdom (Micah 4) when the earth will be ruled by the Lord from Jerusalem.

Many nations shall come to be taught by the Lord (V2). Peace will rule and war will be a thing of the past (V3) and all people from the strong to the weak will be blessed.

The one prophesied in Micah 5 will be this one ruler. A glorious future in deed. But until then there will be heartache because they sinned against God (Micah 6) and refused to listen to His prophets. One day they will confess their sins (V9) and God will pardon their iniquities (V18) and have compassion on them and cast all their sins into the depths of the sea (V19). 

Walking Through the Bible: Micah 1-3

Not much is known about Micah except what we’re told here in Micah 1:1. But God used Micah to point us to the birthplace of Jesus the Messiah (Micah 5:2). He also foretold of events that would transpire when Jesus comes again, when He comes out of His place in heaven to bring judgment on the earth (V2-4). But first God has to deal with the sin of Israel (V5).

God must punish sin and it must begin with those who say they believe in Him. 1 Peter 4:17 tells us judgment begins at the house of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

The destruction we see coming in Micah is nothing compared to what will take place in the last days because of iniquity and evil (Micah 2:1). Destruction will be followed by restoration of those who follow the Lord (V12-13). But not so the wicked who do not know justice (Micah 3). They will cry to the Lord but He will not hear them (V4).

Walking Through the Bible: Jonah 4

Jesus says in Matthew 5:44, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

The things God expects of us are not always easy. It’s easier to avoid people that hate you than love them. But God truly loves all people in spite of what they may think of Him. The greatest joy we can have is to bring someone to an understanding of who God is and how much He loves them. But it requires us to deny and die to ourselves.

Jonah didn’t like what God told him to do. It displeased him exceedingly, and he became angry (Jonah 4). Jonah knew God’s nature, that He was gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness.

We appreciate it when it’s directed at us, but struggle when directed at those we don’t think deserve it. Jonah was so troubled by it that he preferred death to life (V3). But Jonah did as God asked, even with a bad attitude. Then he waited to see what would happen.

God cared for Jonah and prepare a plant to provide shade for him. And Jonah was grateful. But then to teach Jonah an important lesson concerning His love, He cause the plant to die (V7), and Jonah wanted to die because of the heat.

Then God asked if it was right for Jonah to be angry over the plant. Jonah felt he was right. And God revealed that Jonah was more concerned over the plant than he was over the thousands of people who lived in Nineveh facing eternity without God; besides the animals. Yes, God cares even for animals. 

Walking Through the Bible: Jonah 3

God speaks to Jonah for a second time and tells him to bring a message to Nineveh (Jonah 3). This time Jonah did as directed. Jonah began to cry out the message he’d been given, “In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown” (V4).

The people of Nineveh believed; every one of them fasted and put on sackcloth, a sign of repentance. Even the king of Nineveh covered himself with sackcloth and proclaimed a fast that they should turn from evil and violence.

It was a great revival and a turning to God in the hopes He would relent and turn His fierce anger away so they wouldn’t perish. And God saw their works and did not bring the disaster He said He would bring (V10).