“Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says; Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty.’”
- Zechariah 1:3
2021 is in the books, even though it still felt like 2020 at many points and we wondered if we were still in quarantine. Now it's 2022! I’m not going to be talking about resolutions or how 22 will change for the better. However, I do get some big things in store for 2022!
I’ve been writing a weekly devotional since the start of 2020. Every Saturday there has been a devotional up on this website with a new verse or set of verses, trying to remain true to the text while addressing our issues of today, while also pushing us to share the Good News of Peace and Salvation in Jesus Christ through our words and deeds. It's been amazing! I want to start expanding this ministry though. So I’m working to improve my social media game, looking for speaking opportunities, and I’m going to write a book this year!
What’s the plan for the book? Not sure, I have a few ideas in mind. Is it a devotional? Yes but also hopefully a study tool and something geared toward real-life application as well! With that thought, I had to make a hard decision… Instead of writing a weekly devotional like I have done for 2 years now, I will only be writing a new one every other week, and on the off weeks writing and working in the book. Overall, excited to see where God takes this personal ministry through this time!
With all that said, we’re starting 2022 with Zechariah!
Exiles:
For every book of the Bible, the context is important. Who wrote it and when? To whom was the book or letter written and why? These are the important questions that help shape the meaning and message of the book for us today.
Zechariah was a prophet and a priest in the 500’s and 400’s B.C. At the time when Jews were being let out of their captivity in Babylon by Cyrus of Persia. For 70 years they have been waiting and living in this foreign land wondering if they would ever get home.
70 years though is a long time though. Many people can create new homes and lives in that time. Many were tempted to turn from the Lord and worship other gods. We know that through the other books at this time that not everyone returns. Even in the book of Esther, it wouldn’t have happened if her family had returned from the Exile. Which in the book of Esther turns out to be a good thing.
The point is these people have been separated from Jerusalem, and the Temple of their God for 70+ years, now is their time for a return!
Return:
In chapter 1 of Zechariah, Zechariah receives his call to announce the return out of exile! Verse 3 is key, “Return to me and I will return to you.” It’s about the reconnection and reconciliation of God and His people. Then Zechariah receives a couple of visions that reinforce this need to return!
In the first vision, a man was standing among Myrtle Tress and a bunch of horses. These are God’s patrols. For while God knows all, these Patrols join in God’s work and report what the nations are doing. And they share how the world is at peace. All nations are prosperous, but there is no Jerusalem. These nations continue to abuse the Jews and have become content with their power, not realizing they have gone too far.
So then God shares through the angel to Zechariah what Zechariah is to share with others. That’s God’s anger with His people was just and for a short time, but the nations used as punishment have taken things further than God intended and will now end it. God will bring His people back to Jerusalem, to reconstruct it and let it overflow in prosperity! God will return to them if they return to Him.
Zechariah’s next vision in chapter 1 is of 4 horns and 4 blacksmiths. Thankfully this vision is straightforward compared to most. Those 4 horns represent 4 nations that have seen peace and prosperity while the Jews are in captivity. I haven’t done enough study to know which, but I think it's safe to say Babylon is one of them. These 4 oppressive powers will be taken down by another 4 powers, the Blacksmiths. 1 might be Persia, who overthrew Babylon. The Greeks are probably involved, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the nations neighboring Jerusalem. In this vision, there is a return because God is bringing them safety.
Reconstruction and Safety.
For Kingdom:
As for us today, we can’t apply this literally. There isn’t a city to reconstruct nor nations to overthrow. However, we have hope that one day all the oppressive powers in this world will be brought to an end with Christ’s Kingdom coming in its fullness.
Until that day though and despite any and all oppressive acts against the Church we should keep focused on our Savior. Laying down brick by brick His Kingdom through the sharing and spreading of the Good News through our words and deeds, until we see His return. The Jews needed to Return; we need to Remain.
Final Blessing:
So for 2022, let's get to work helping lay the bricks and build up others in Christ’s name until we see that Kingdom come. Only there is there true prosperity and safety.
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey.
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