Zechariah 6
COMMENTARY:
: 7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. (1245 “sought” [baqash] means require, request, seek out, besought, ask, begging, to seek to find, to seek to secure, exact, to discover, or to try to get or reach something one desires.)
DEVOTION: Obedience is the key to serving the LORD. The angels have to be obedient to the LORD. They can’t do anything without the LORD’S permission. They can’t even leave heaven unless HE tells them to. They are at HIS beck and call. When HE commands them to do something – they do it.
Here we find the angels eager to go and patrol the earth. They want to see what is going on and to do what the LORD bids them to do. It is thought that they were to issue judgment on the nations for their treatment of HIS people Israel.
Angels are powerful. They are not almighty but they have power given to them to do whatever the LORD commands. Some are sent as messengers to prophets which is what is happening throughout the book of Zechariah.
Zechariah wants to understand what is happening and the angel explains it to him. We want to understand what is happening and the Holy Spirit gives us instructions regarding how to understand what is happening.
Many times it would be good to have an angel visit us and tell us what is going to happen next but we have enough information in the Word of God to get us prepared for events that are coming.
CHALLENGE: What do you desire most in life? Is it to please the LORD with all your heart and soul and mind? That should be and can be our desire.
: 8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country. (5117 “quieted” [nuwach] means to appease, to rest, to settle down and remain, to repose, or cause to rest.)
DEVOTION: Here we have a vision of four chariots. They come from between two mountains: Mount Zion and Mount of Olives? Two of the four horses go to the north to deal with those who have been enemies to Israel. In the north was both the kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon. The nation of the south was Egypt that was going to be dealt with as well at HIS return. They are going to be defeated. The other horses are going to go to and fro over all the earth signifing that the LORD is in control of all the earth. HE is watching what is happening and knows what HE is going to do next. It was all fixed before the foundation of the world.
This vision was to tell Zechariah that the issue with the nation of Babylon was settled. The LORD was telling him that he could rest assured that Babylon was defeated. This vision was concerned with future judgment. The horses went out to see what wars were in the future.
The last part of this chapter gives a description of the coming BRANCH. This BRANCH is the Messiah or Christ. This is giving a rundown of what was going to happen during the Millennial reign of Christ after HIS second coming.
The LORD was going to assure Zechariah and all those who read his prophesies that HE had a plan for the future and it was set. The LORD is coming again to take HIS own people to be with HIM before the Tribulation hits the earth with judgment.
Then the Millennium will be a time of peace during the reign of Christ over the world. The LORD Jesus Christ is going to wear two crowns or two offices: King and Priest.
Are we ready for the return of the LORD? Are we winning our friends and loved ones to the LORD? One article says that it takes 86 Christians to win one to the LORD. Let’s change that stat.
CHALLENGE: Our time is limited to reach those around us for the LORD. Events seem to be working toward HIS return. Listen for the trumpet sound!!
: 12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD. (6779 “grow up” [tsamach] means spout, spring up, bud, have an event happen, or bear.)
DEVOTION: Throughout the prophets we find references to the coming Messiah. There are two coming. The first time he comes as the suffering servant and the second as the reigning King. The problem is that many misinterpreted the passages to think that when the Messiah came it was going to be as a King right away. They were wrong.
The first coming of Christ was to be a substitute for mankind in their need of redemption from sin. HE was a suffering servant who died in our place to give us the possibility of becoming a follower. All those who repented of their sins and obeyed the LORD were redeemed. All those who rejected the LORD and lived as they pleased will not be redeemed but spend eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels.
The second coming is still future in Zechariah’s time and in our time. HE will come at the designated time that only God knows. We are not to predict the day. We are not to stop working until the LORD returns.
When the LORD or Branch returns the second time HE is going to be a King and a Priest. HE came as a man to die for our sins. HE returns are our King.
There will be a third Temple built during the Millennium. HE will establish training for all those who come to learn more about HIM. HE will accept sacrifices from all those who come to worship HIM.
CHALLENGE: God establishes hope with all the prophets so that no matter what is happening around us we can KNOW that HE is there with us through all our circumstances.
: 13 Even HE shall build the temple of the LORD; and HE shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on HIS throne; and HE shall be a priest on HIS throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. (6098 “counsel” [‘etsah] means purpose, advice, something that provides direction, prudence, wisdom, cares, plan, scheme, or to execute a plan.)
DEVOTION: Later in this devotional we will look at the previous verse regarding the Branch which is Jesus Christ. HE is the Messiah. Here we have a reference to Joshua which is another name for Jesus. One is Old Testament and the other New Testament.
This crown that was to be made was to be put on the head of the High Priest but he was also going to be sitting on a throne and ruling the people. He was to be not only a priest but a king. This is fulfilled only in the Messiah. Christ is returning to reign in the third Temple.
It will be a time of peace that has not been experienced as yet by the children of Israel or even in our time period.
Christ is going to be a priest after the order of Melchisedek (Hebrews 5:6). Remember that Jesus was of the tribe of Judah which was not the natural tribe for priests. So we are introduced to Melchisedek in the time period of Abraham as he offered tithes to him to show his obedience to the LORD.
We are to understand the importance of the role Christ is going to play in the future but HIS role today is that of our High Priest. We can turn to HIM anytime with our confession. HE is our representative before the Father who is the one who sends us blessings.
CHALLENGE: The Godhead has a plan that they made before the foundation of the world and they are working their plan. Their plan includes all those who are genuine followers of the LORD!!!
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