SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 10 OBSERVATION: The leaders and teachers were guilty of misleading the people, giving them false direction and false comfort. This is why the whole nation was in exile. But God will restore His special community, and once again use them to shine for the world to see. He will do this Himself, by coming…
like a jewel in His crown
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 9 OBSERVATION: For many years the nation of Israel was battered and beaten, exiled and defeated by the surrounding nations. But things are about to change. Their enemies will be defeated by the Lord, and He will come in person (i.e. the messiah) and proclaim peace and restore order. The weak will be strengthened,…
how the Lord convicted me
Last Sunday I was sharing about a situation at a Tim Horton’s, where the new girl was not able to do the outside clean up duty because of an injury, and the manager asked for a volunteer from the other employees. No one else volunteered. Finally the manager picked one, and that one was not…
with you always
In trying to discover what it means to follow Jesus, I discovered the artwork of Larry Van Pelt. His purpose is to help people learn what it means that Jesus is with us always. No matter what we do, Jesus is with us. The only question is, are we with Jesus in whatever we do?
lifestyle evangelism
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 8 OBSERVATION: This is a vision of the way things ought to be between God and His people and all the world. God’s intention was to raise up a special community of people devoted and loyal to Him, and experiencing the blessing of that way of life. It would be a witness to the…
true religion
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 7 OBSERVATION: The people and their leaders thought that if they went through the religious exercises (offerings, worship, fasting, etc.) that God would be happy. But God makes it plain that what He wants is justice, mercy, compassion, good will towards others (this is what offerings, worship, fasting, etc. should be all about). He…
king of all the earth
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 6 OBSERVATION: The four chariots represent the sovereign reach of the King, extending to the four corners of the planet (see Revelation 7:1ff). The Lord of the whole world is directing the affairs of all nations and people, for His purpose. He is raising up His anointed Ruler on earth (the messiah, the branch) who…
taking sin seriously
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 5 OBSERVATION: The Lord is cleaning up. The flying scroll announces the removal of all thieves and liars. The woman in the basket represents the removal of all sin practices from Israel. In other words, the Lord will clean up His people, and remove all who refuse to obey Him. When we recall that…
relying on His strength
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 4 OBSERVATION: In this vision, the people are reminded that their success does not depend on their weapons, their armour or their armies, but on the power and presence of the Lord among them. Their witness for the King [symbolized by the lampstand] is empowered by the Spirit [symbolized by oil] that flows without…
who am I believing?
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 3 OBSERVATION: The high priest stands between God and the people. That being judged for sin (in the fire), he is plucked from the flames, given new, clean garments, and recommissioned as God’s ambassador. The accuser (Satan) is silenced. Even though guilty, God gives them another chance. The Branch and seven-eyed stone is symbolic…