Tuesday, Aug. 28

Tuesday

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo: “The LORD was very angry with your forefathers. Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says:  ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty,  ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.   - Zechariah 1:1-3

The people to whom Zechariah brought this “word of the Lord” (1:1) were probably a lot like you and me. They were, for the most part, believers who would have voiced their allegiance to God.  They were a remnant of 50,000 Jews who had made the difficult commitment to return to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity in 538 B.C. In 536 B.C. they had begun reconstruction of the devastated temple. But opposition had mounted, and for several years the work had been set aside.

Meanwhile, the people got caught up in the busyness of life. It was probably not an intentional decision. They meant no harm to God.  But God raised up the prophet Haggai to ask the question, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?” (Hag. 1:4). The people responded to Haggai’s message and began to work again on the temple.

Two months into the project, “in the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet” (Zech. 1:1). That date is significant!  Two months into any volunteer project of this magnitude, people need a word from the Lord! They need hope and encouragement.  They need the motivation that comes from knowing that this project is worthwhile.  That is especially true when the people are a bunch of refugees returning to a devastated country, still surrounded by hostile neighbors.  

Zechariah’s prophecy was directed to such people. He has been called the prophet of hope. His message is filled with the encouragement that God will keep His promises to His people, especially His promises regarding the Messiah. Zechariah has more Messianic prophecy than all of the other Minor Prophets combined and he is second only to Isaiah in the number of references to Christ.

You can remember the overarching theme of the book of Zechariah if you will remember the Hebrew meanings of the three names in the first verse.

Zechariah = “whom the Lord remembers.” 

Berekiah = “the Lord blesses.” 

Iddo = “at the appointed time” 

God raised up Zechariah to proclaim that God remembers His chosen people and He will bless them in His appointed time.

That message applies to us, especially if you are discouraged. When you look around at the evil in the world and the apathy or hostility toward the gospel, you may feel as if God has forgotten you.  But He remembers!  He has not forgotten!  He will bless in His appointed time!  Our job is to be obedient and faithful to Him.

I recall once hearing Bill Hybels (senior pastor and founder of Willow Creek Community Church) say that people in the church need constant reminders that their work for God is worth it, and that they are not crazy for giving so much time and money to the work of God.  Why?  Because it is easy to forget, to get distracted or discouraged, and because the rest of the world around them cannot understand why they would give and serve and make such sacrifices.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.                  - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Jeff Frazier