Spiritual Renewal: Faith and Obedience

¹ In November of the second year of King Darius’s (Hystaspes) reign, the LORD gave this message to the prophet Zechariah…. ² “I, the LORD, was very angry with your ancestors. ³ Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies (Yahweh) says: Return to Me (repent), and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.’ ⁴ Do not be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways and stop all your evil practices.’… ⁶ But everything I said through My servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what He said He would do.’” … ¹⁴ Then the angel said to me (Zechariah), “Shout this message for all to hear: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong…. ¹⁶ Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy (lovingkindness and compassion) to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’ ¹⁷ Say this also: ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as His own.’” Zechariah 1:1-4, 6, 14, 16-17, New Living Translation 2^nd Edition

The Old Testament book of Zechariah proclaims the living LORD God’s hope and bright future for His faithful, humble, and repentant people (e.g., see Zechariah 1:14, 16-17; Zechariah 8:3, 14-15). Moreover, the book of Zechariah assures God’s people the living LORD God’s Presence with them through His Spirit – the Spirit of the LORD (e.g., see Zechariah 4:4-6). Most importantly, prophet Zechariah proclaims the living LORD God Almighty will be King over the whole world (Zechariah 9:9; Zechariah 14:9, 16-17; see also Revelation 11:15).  

The meaning of Zechariah’s name is “the LORD (Yahweh) has remembered.” Zechariah’s grandfather Iddo was among the first Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem in 539 BC (see Ezra 5:1; 6:14). The book of Nehemiah informs us that Iddo returned to Jerusalem from Babylon with Zerubbabel and Joshua (see Nehemiah 12:4). Nehemiah also lists Zechariah as the head of the family of priests descended from Iddo (see Nehemiah 12:1, 16). This suggests that Zechariah was both a priest and prophet in Jerusalem, like the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Zechariah 1:1, 7; see Jeremiah 1:1; Ezekiel 1:3). The Lord Jesus mentioned righteous Zechariah by name during His public ministry as being murdered by the Jews (see Matthew 23:35-36; Luke 11:50-51). Amazingly, the prophet Zechariah gives a grand portrait of the Messiah (Christ) in His first coming as well as His second coming when He will be crowned King of all the earth (e.g., see Zechariah 3:8-9; Zechariah 6:9-15; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 14:9).

The living and sovereign LORD God Almighty raised up the prophet Zechariah along with Haggai to encourage and help His Jewish people returning from Exile during the restoration period (Zechariah 1:1; see also Ezra 5:1; Ezra 6:14; Haggai 1:1). Unfortunately, the living LORD God allowed His people Israel and Judah to go into foreign Exile and become devoured with war, famine, and disease because of their repeated unfaithfulness and rebellion against Him and His covenant (e.g., see Jeremiah 14:11-12). Yet, the living LORD God remembered His covenant promises to His people promised to return to His people if His people return to Him (see Zechariah 1:3).

Prior to the Exile, the leadership and people of Israel and Judah became more and more rebellious and unfaithful to the living LORD God and His covenant (Zechariah 1:4; see also e.g., 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Kings 21:10-16; Psalm 78:8; Jeremiah 2:5). Israel and Judah followed all the evil pagan practices of the surrounding nations, relied on foreign powers, and sinfulness became deeply engrained in their hearts and minds (e.g., see 1 Chronicles 5:25; 2 Chronicles 36:14; Isaiah 7:1-9; Hosea 10:1-8). Israel and Judah turned their hearts away from the living LORD God Almighty and worshipped other gods, sacred stones, idols, and even the starry hosts of heaven (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:10-12). The living LORD God Almighty repeatedly sent His servants (prophets) to warn Israel and Judah to repent of their wicked sins, turn from their evil ways, and obey Him and His covenant because He loved His people (Zechariah 1:4; see also e.g., Exodus 20:1-23:9; 2 Kings 17:13; 2 Chronicles 24:19; 2 Chronicles 36:15; Isaiah 1:15-20, 23-24; Isaiah 45:22; Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 11:7-8; Jeremiah 25:4-6; Jeremiah 35:15-16; Ezekiel 33:10-11). Through His prophets, the living LORD God commanded Israel and Judah to do right and good by seeking mercy and justice for orphans (fatherless), the poor, foreigners (refugees), and the widows (e.g., see Exodus 22:21-23; Leviticus 25:17; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Isaiah 56:1; Jeremiah 5:1, 28; Jeremiah 22:3-5; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:6-8). Even more, the living LORD God commanded the people to turn from adultery, sexual sins, murder, greed, falsehood, dishonesty, thief, and bribes (e.g., see Isaiah 1:21-23; Galatians 5:17-21).

Despite the holy prophet’s repeated message to REPENT and turn from evil doing, Israel and Judah scorned and refused to listen to the living LORD God’s prophets and ignored God’s requirements for righteousness (Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 7:11-12; see also e.g., 2 Kings 17:13-15; 2 Chronicles 36:16). Instead of listening to the living LORD God’s holy prophets, the people turned to idolatry and lying priests and prophets that polluted God’s land and led the people away from the living LORD God and His covenant (e.g., see Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; 2 Chronicles 36:14; Jeremiah 14:14-15; Jeremiah 23:13, 16-17, 30-31; Lamentations 4:13).

So, the living LORD God became angry at Israel and Judah and decided to punish His wicked people (Zechariah 1:2, 12, 15; see also e.g., see 2 Chronicles 36:16; Isaiah 1:24-24). First, the living and sovereign LORD God Almighty raised up the Assyrians against the ten northern tribes of Israel (see 2 Kings 17:1-6). In 722 BC, the Assyrian army destroyed the ten northern tribes of Israel and banished Israel from the living LORD God’s presence (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:18-20). Israel’s punishment happened because of their repeated disobedience against the living LORD God and His covenant (e.g., see 2 Kings 18:11-12; Daniel 9:6, 10).   

After Judah and Jerusalem saw what happened to Israel’s ten northern tribes, the people temporarily repented and turned to the living LORD God Almighty under the good kingships of King Hezekiah and his son Josiah (e.g., see 2 Kings 18:3-8; 2 Kings 22:1-2). Hezekiah and Josiah rid Judah and Jerusalem of mediums, spiritists, household gods, idols, and other forbidden worship objects in Judah and turned the people’s hearts to worshipping and serving the true and living LORD God Almighty (e.g., see 2 Kings 23:21-25). However, after King Hezekiah and King Josiah’s deaths, the people of Judah and Jerusalem turned back to their wickedness, rebellion, and evil doing against the living LORD God Almighty and His covenant. Judah and Jerusalem worshipped other gods, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists (e.g., see 2 Kings 21:1-9). Because of such evil and wickedness, the living and sovereign LORD God Almighty raised up the Babylonians against Judah and Jerusalem to punish His wicked and rebellious people (e.g., 2 Kings 21:10-16; 2 Kings 23:26-28; 2 Kings 25:1-25; 2 Chronicles 36:17). The living LORD God permitted the Babylonians to invade Jerusalem and Judah beginning in 605 BC and again in 597 BC (e.g., see 2 Kings 24:1-2, 10-12; Ezekiel 1:1-2; Daniel 1:1-2). Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were some of the Jews included in the first Babylonian exile in 605 BC (see Daniel 1:1-3, 6-7). The prophet Ezekiel was among some of the Jews included in Babylon’s second deportation from Jerusalem and Judah (see Ezekiel 1:1).

Finally, in 586 BC, the living LORD God allowed the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem, break down the walls of the city, and set fire to Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple (see 2 Kings 25:1-21; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21). Then, the living LORD God shattered His people (see Zechariah 1:18-20). For seventy years, God’s people had no Temple and the Promised Land was dormant and enjoyed its Sabbath rests because of Israel and Judah’s rebellion, disobedience, and unfaithfulness to the living LORD God and His covenant (Zechariah 1:12; see also e.g., 2 Chronicles 36:21; Jeremiah 25:8-14; Jeremiah 44:2-6; Daniel 9:2). Essentially, the Assyrians and the Babylonians became the living LORD God’s rod and wrath to punish His people Israel and Judah for their repeated rebellion, evil doing, and unfaithfulness against Him and His covenant (e.g., 2 Kings 17:2-23; 2 Kings 24:14; Isaiah 10:5-12; Jeremiah 25:7-14; Jeremiah 52:4-27). Israel and Judah’s repeated sinfulness brought the living LORD God’s punishment (e.g., see Ezekiel 24:14; Ezekiel 36:16-19; Zechariah 8:14)! In summary, the living LORD God holds people responsible for the choices they make.

The prophet Zechariah reminded the people why they experienced the living LORD God’s wrath during the Exile (see Zechariah 1:5-6). Moses predicted Israel and Judah’s punishment many centuries earlier at Mount Sinai with the giving of the covenant if they disobeyed and rebelled against the living LORD God and His covenant (Zechariah 1:6; e.g., see Leviticus 26:14-39; Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The Word of the living LORD God is eternal and everlasting (e.g., see Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:30). However, the prophet Jeremiah predicted the restoration of Israel and Judah after the seventy-year Exile (e.g., see Jeremiah 29:10-14). During the seventy years of Exile, God’s people realized their rebellion, repented and confessed their sins and evil against the living LORD God and His covenant (Zechariah 1:6; see also e.g., Lamentations 2:17; Daniel 9:4-24). The living LORD God heard His people’s genuine and wholehearted prayers of repentance and forgave their sins (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 32:5-7; Psalm 51:1-4; Proverbs 28:13). Psalm 126 records the joy and laughter of God’s restored people after the Exile.

The prophet Zechariah assured Israel and Judah that the living LORD God had heard their prayers of repentance, and He was ready to restore and bless His people (Zechariah 1:12-13; see also Jeremiah 29:10-11). The living and sovereign LORD God Almighty is merciful and ready to forgive EVERYONE who genuinely and humbly repents of their sins and turn wholeheartedly to Him with all love and obedience (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7; Leviticus 26:40-43; Psalm 103:8-13; Daniel 9:9; Micah 7:18-19; Zechariah 3:4; 1 John 1:9). In His eternal mercy and compassion, the living LORD God promised restoration and blessing to His repented people (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 36:21-23; Ezra 1:1-4). Even though the living LORD God punished Israel and Judah for their sins and rebellion, He still LOVED His people and NEVER rejected Israel and Judah (Zechariah 1:14, 16; Zechariah 8:1-3; e.g., see Leviticus 26:44-45; Ezekiel 11:16). Israel and Judah continued to be the apple of the living LORD God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8; see also Deuteronomy 32:10).

Through His prophet Zechariah, the living LORD God Almighty promised He and His Presence would return to Israel and Judah to show His people mercy and bring His restoration and blessings to His repentant people (see Zechariah 1:16-17; Zechariah 8:14-15). Even more, the living LORD God through His prophet Zechariah promised to Jerusalem and Judah His Presence to live there again with His people and establish His rule over all the earth (see Zechariah 14:8-11). Nevertheless, the prophet Zechariah warned Israel and Judah NOT to repeat the sins that had led to Israel and Judah into foreign exile, and he warned EVERYONE to return to the living LORD God and His righteous covenant (see Zechariah 1:3). The living LORD God Almighty always remain faithful to His covenant (e.g., see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12). The heart of the covenant is to love the LORD God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one another (e.g., see Matthew 22:34-40, quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Leviticus 19:18).

Because of His love for His people, the living and sovereign LORD God raised up the Persia kings Cyrus and later Darius (Hystaspes) to restore His people Israel and Judah to His land, Palestine and rebuild the Temple (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1, 13; Ezra 1:1-4, Ezra 6:3-5). The Old Testament book of Ezra tells of God’s people under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua returning to Palestine to rebuild Jerusalem and His Temple in approximately 538 BC through King Cyrus pronouncement (Zechariah 4:8-9; see also Ezra 2:68-3:13).

However, the returning Jews stopped the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple because of discouragement, enemy opposition, and even government opposition (e.g., see Ezra 4:1-5, 23-24). Even worse, the returning Jews began to devote their time and strength on their personal homes, luxuries, and comforts and ignored God’s House – the Temple (e.g., see Haggai 1:3-4). For nearly 20 years, the Temple and Jerusalem laid in ruins! The Jerusalem construction site laid neglected for nearly two decades.

Because the people ignored Jerusalem and the living LORD God’s house – the Temple, the people experienced scarcity and could not meet their basic needs despite their hard work and labor. God’s people were working hard, but the living LORD God did not bless their efforts because they ignored living LORD God’s House FIRST (e.g., see Haggai 1:5-6, 9-11; Haggai 2:14-17)! The people worked hard; however, their crops failed, and their money disappeared as soon as they earned money because they had the WRONG priorities. The people needed to place GOD FIRST by rebuilding the Temple (see Haggai 1:2, 4, 8-9)! The Temple symbolized the living LORD God’s Presence (Name) and His honor (Ezra 6:12; see also Exodus 20:24). 

Then in approximately 520 BC during Darius of Persia’s reign, the living and sovereign LORD God raised up His servants, Haggai and Zechariah to encourage God’s people to finish the work of rebuilding Jerusalem and God’s Temple (see Ezra 5:1-2; Ezra 6:14; Haggai 1:2, 7-8, 15; Zechariah 1:1, 7; Zechariah 7:1; Zechariah 8:9-11). These two prophets invigorated God’s people to be strong and to finish the living LORD God’s Temple under Zerubbabel and Joshua’s leadership (see Haggai 1:14-15; Zechariah 1:1, 7; Zechariah 8:12-13). The prophets Haggai and Zechariah assured the people that the living LORD God Almighty’s Presence and Power were with them through His Spirit – the Spirit of the LORD – to finish the work (Haggai 1:13; Haggai 2:4-5; Zechariah 4:6-7; see also 2 Samuel 5:10; 2 Chronicles 1:1). The living and sovereign LORD God is Almighty, and His Holy Spirit is present and patrols throughout the whole earth (Zechariah 1:7-11; Zechariah 4:10; Zechariah 6:5-8; see also Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). The living LORD God Almighty rules the heaven and the earth (e.g., see also Daniel 4:34-37; Daniel 6:25-27)!

Whereas Haggai’s focused on the rebuilding of God’s Temple and the reinstitution of the sacrificial system, Zechariah’s focused on the people’s spiritual transformation. In these post-exilic books, Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to TRUST and HONOR the living LORD God, live MORAL LIVES, and place Him FIRST in their lives and hearts (see Haggai 2:10-17; Zechariah 7:8-10). If the people honored the living LORD God and lived moral (righteous lives), the LORD promised to bless His people with His PRESENCE and grace (Haggai 1:7-8; see also 1 Chronicles 28:9-10; Matthew 6:33). Because the people listened to the prophets Haggai and Zechariah and rebuilt the Temple, the people began to prosper and become successful (see Ezra 6:14).

The people obeyed Haggai’ and Zechariah’s voice and began to rebuild and complete God’s house – the Temple (see Haggai 1:12-15). God’s house – called the Second Temple by scholars – was fully completed and dedicated in 515 BC and the people celebrated the completion with joy (see Ezra 6:15-16). The prophets Haggai and Zechariah knew the coming glory of the Messiah would one day fill this Second Temple (e.g., see Haggai 2:6-9; Zechariah 9:9-10). The Messiah, who is the Desire of All Nations, would fill this Second Temple with His glory and the Presence of the LORD (Haggai 2:7, 9; see also Luke 2:32).

Moreover, the prophet Zechariah urged God’s people to REPENT and wholeheartedly RETURN to the living LORD God, and Zechariah assured the people the living LORD God would come to them (Zechariah 1:3-6; Zechariah 7:8-14; see also Ezekiel 18:30-32; 2 Corinthians 5:20; James 4:8). Even more, Zechariah encouraged the people to judge fairly and show mercy and kindness to one another, NOT oppress and mistreat widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor, and not scheme against and exploit others (see Zechariah 7:8-10). Zechariah encouraged the Jews to obey the LORD’s covenant, especially in matters of justice, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, goodness (righteousness), fairness, and truthfulness (Zechariah 8:15-17; see also Leviticus 25:17; Deuteronomy 22:1; Isaiah 56:1; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8: Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 22:37; Matthew 23:23). Zechariah was concerned that the returning Jews from Exile did not repeat the mistakes of their forefathers whose disobedience and evil doing against the living LORD God and His covenant had brought upon them the living LORD God’s wrath and judgment (see Zechariah 1:1-6). Very similar to the previous prophets, Zechariah was concerned about goodness, honesty, and social justice, particularly for the poor, widows, elderly, oppressed, orphans, and foreigners (e.g., Exodus 22:21-23; Leviticus 19:32-37; Proverbs 22:22-23; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Jeremiah 5:27-28; Jeremiah 21:12; Amos 5:24; James 1:27).

In the past, Israel and Judah failed to follow these moral covenant instructions sent by His Spirit to the holy prophets, and the living LORD God punished and scattered His evil and rebellious people (Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 2:6; Zechariah 7:11-14; see also Deuteronomy 28:33; Jeremiah 22:3-5, 17; Ezekiel 5:9-12). Even more, the living LORD God refused to listen to His people’s prayers and petitions because of their rebellion and wickedness (Zechariah 7:13; see also Proverbs 1:24-32; Isaiah 1:15). Zechariah proclaimed that only faith and obedience to the living LORD God and His moral covenant would usher in blessing and prosperity (Zechariah 7:8-12; Zechariah 8:14-17; see also Proverbs 1:33). Zechariah points out that the key to a right relationship and worship of the living LORD God Almighty is obedience to Him and His moral covenant (see also Jeremiah 7:1-11). Legalistic observance to the Law would never serve as a substitute for reflecting the living LORD God Almighty’s love for one another in everyday living (e.g., see Matthew 22:27; Luke 10:25-37).

Even today, the living LORD God’s moral and good standards still apply to the church (e.g., see Galatians 5:16-26). In His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed the need to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteous by living moral lives (e.g., see Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:46-49; Luke 8:19-21; Luke 11:27-28; 1 John 2:5). Everyone who repented, accepted and obeyed the message of God’s Kingdom and produced good fruit received the treasures of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13:8, 23; see also e.g., Matthew 21:28-32, 43; John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:5-8, 10; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 5:3). The more you love, honor, and obey the living LORD God as your King, the more heavenly goodness, blessings, and treasures that He gives you from His Kingdom (Matthew 13:12, 16-17; see also Matthew 6:33; Matthew 25:29; Mark 4:24-25; Luke 19:26-27; John 15:2, 5). Amazingly, the message of Zechariah and the other Old Testament prophets are the SAME message of Jesus – obey the living LORD God and do good to others (e.g., see Matthew 5:1-12; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 8:15, 19-21)!

References

Amplified Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987).

Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).