Zechariah - A Call to Repentance

This book of the Old Testament is among the most profound and of great importance in view of the times and circumstances in which it was written. Zechariah's message is not only only important for its Messianic predictions, fot also for the apocalyptic and eschatological predictions regarding the ultimate destruction of Israel's enemies and the glory to come in the Millennial Kingdom. The theme of the book centers around the Messiah's work of redemption and Israel's future restoration.

Introduction

After the Babylonian captivity the Jewish people longed for their liberation. In 536 B.C. they got their wish and a group was allowed to return to Jerusalem. It was after their return that Zechariah received his prophecy. He gives the exact date in verse 1: "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius. In 538 B.C. King Cyrus of Persia, having defeated the Babylonian Empire [539 B.C.], issued an unprecedented decree allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem. Zechariah, along with his contemporary Haggai, was among the 50,000 Israelites (Ezra 2:64-65) who returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel, who became governor, and Joshua, the high priest. Work started on the temple for a couple of years, but was stopped when the Samaritans appealed to Cyrus and his son, Cambyses. For the next 16 years no work was done on the temple. Instead, the people began to focus on building luxurious homes for themselves and their spiritual committment waned. In the meantime, Cyrus died and his son committed suicide. This left a power vaccum and led to many revolts. Eventually, Darius I crushed the revolts and restored peace to Persia under his leadership. Darius found the original decree of Cyrus and gave permission to the Jews to resume reconstruction of their temple. In 520 B.C. Haggai and Zechariah urged the people to finish the task of rebuilding (Ezra 5:1-2; Hag. 1:1).

Indictment

Zechariah began with a review of God's past anger: "The Lord hath been sorely displeased [literally, angry or furious, full of wrath] with your fathers". (1:2) God was furious with the returnees' forefathers because they had rebelled against his covenant and relationship with Him, rejected the prophets' messages to repent, and refused to stop their idolatrous practices. Yet, God was now ready to turn from His anger and comfort this remnant of the Jewish people. Zechariah was a messenger of grace. In verse 3 we read: "Therefore, say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Turn unto me, saith the Lord of Hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts." The threefold repetition of God's name, "Lord of Hosts" gives authority to the message. This urgent invitation required and expected an immediate response. The Hebrew word for "turn" or "return" conveys the same concept of the Greek word "repent". The condition of receiving divine blessing was not just to start building; but, was a call for a "return to Him" - not just to His law, or his His ways; but, to the LORD himself. This is a covenant relationship. If you will do this, then "I will return to you".

Conclusion

Zechariah's message is an ageless truth. What does God want of us? The same thing he had with Adam and Even in the garden before the fall. He wants relationship with his children. If we seek him, God will reward those who diligently seek him. Zechariah makes the point: (1) Repentance must always come before blessing; and (2) Change must follow repentance. God gives people time to repent. But, when that time passes, there will come a day of judgment. Let us heed the words of Zechariah and confess our sins. When we repent and turn to seek God then our blessing from the restoration of that relationship allows the power of God's Holy Spirit to begin to work in lives.