God gave Zechariah eight visions in one night. Bible scholars debate the meaning of the visions and are mystified by what they read.
However, there are some points of these visions that we can extract and apply to our lives quite easily.
Both the first and last of the visions involved horses. Zechariah didn’t know the meaning of the vision, but he was able to ask an angel who gave him an answer.
In the night I saw a man mounted on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the shadows, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.
Then I said, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who spoke with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.” (Zechariah 1.8-9).
One of the first things we can notice, even if we can’t understand the imagery, is that God permitted a human being, Zechariah, to be a part of the heavenly council. There, he is witness to the interaction of the heavenly court.
It is a given that God does not require our assistance. Yet, He desires our participation and consistently engages humans in His endeavors.
In this particular case, Zechariah plays a role in God’s plan by being tasked with the responsibility of proclaiming God’s actions to the exiles returning from Babylon.
Patrolling the Earth
It may be difficult to understand why God has heavenly beings patrol the Earth; however, He does.
So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, “They are those whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.”
Then they spoke to the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have patrolled the earth, and the whole earth remains at peace” (Zechariah 1.10-11).
Although the reasons behind heavenly beings surveying the earth on behalf of the Lord remain unclear, one thing is certain: God is deeply involved in our lives.
He is aware of our hopes, dreams, pain, sorrow, and joy – He knows everything about us.
Zechariah and the Heavenly Counsel
Put yourself in the place of Zechariah. You are in the presence of the heavenly council, and the Angel of the Lord asks the Father why He is withholding mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. What would be going through your mind?
Then the angel of the Lord said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which you have been angry these seventy years?”
Then the Lord replied with gracious and comforting words to the angel who spoke with me.
So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim this message: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am very zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion,
“And I am extremely angry with the nations that are at ease, for while I was only a little angry, they made the disaster worse (Zechariah 1.12-15).
God responds by explaining to the Angel of the Lord that Jerusalem’s distress stems from its rebellion. However, He expresses anger towards the nations that went beyond their mandate as His instruments of judgment.
In this exchange, it’s crucial to understand that God is not just an impersonal force. He is deeply connected with both humans and angelic beings, engaging in personal interactions. He listens and responds when addressed.
This is the God to whom we pray. We share a true personal relationship with God. We speak to Him, and He responds to us.
If you’re not attentive to God’s voice in the dialogue, you’re missing out on a significant aspect of this personal connection.
Good News
God never invites us into His counsel merely to provide us with a pleasant sensation to share with others. Zechariah was taken into the heavenly realms, where he learned God’s good news message for Jerusalem and the surrounding region, Judea.
Therefore, thus says the Lord: I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and a measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.
Proclaim further: Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem” (Zechariah 1.16-17).
You may remember that God said to the Hebrews, “Return to me and I will return to you.” It’s very likely that God first approached them with grace, enabling them to change their hearts and return to Him.
After they returned to Him, He was then able to extend His compassion, rebuild the temple, and bring prosperity to the city.
This principle holds true even today. We must come before God’s throne, returning to Him, so that He can bless and bring prosperity to our broken world in return.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. Rudy brings a rich resource to the subject, and you will be happy to hear his thoughts. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 