Lessons From Ezra – Lesson 6
We have not spent very much time yet on the prophets. They were bold men. Elijah faced that wicked Ahab, he said it was not going to rain and it didn’t rain for years.
God had Elijah go live by a brook so he could be fed by ravens. When the drought caused the brook to dry up God told Elijah to go to a certain widow and ask her to feed him. And he does go and he does ask her to fed him even thou she only has a tiny bit of meal and a few sticks and is planning on making one last cake for her and her son and then plans on dying.
The widow gives the cake to Elijah and then a miracle every day happened and all three of them were fed every day.
Elishia asks for a double portion of what Elijah had. Elijah said you are asking a lot but if you see me leave then you can have that. Then Elijah tries to ditch Elisha. Elijah will not have it and does get to see Elijah go to heaven riding in a chariot of fire.
Elishia takes the mantle and goes to the river and says where is the Lord God of Elijah and hits the river with the mantle and the river parts and he walks thru on dry ground. And by the way Elishia ends up doing exactly double the number of miracles that Elijah did.
The prophets were no strangers to boldness and no strangers to doing odd things.
The one that no doubt did the strangest things was Ezekiel. God would tell Ezekiel go preach to those trees and so Ezekiel would get up and walk and preach to the trees. God would tell Ezekiel leave the city but not thru the gate. Dig a hole in the wall and leave that way. So Ezekiel would spend all night and dig thru the wall.
Only when he was done and standing outside the city after making a hole in the wall did God tell Ezekiel what the reason was. It was an object lesson to go with the message God gave Ezekiel to preach that morning.
Ezekiel was the prophet that saw the vision of the wheels within wheels. Very vivid and a whole lot of powerful imagery. Ezekiel also was given visions of the temple that will exist when Jesus comes back.
Some day we are going to have to go thru the book of Ezekiel.
The point I am making is Israel had a history of having prophets doing object lessons and having grand visions. For example Daniel had some whoppers.
And Ezekiel was the last prophet they had before and actually while they were being taken away in captivity over 70 years before. After Ezekiel decades of silence. There was Jeremiah and Ezekiel at the same time and of course Daniel and then nothing.
Not another word from God for a long time.
Finally it is time for God to send a group back to start building the temple. People respond, move and start work. The Foundation gets laid and then man commands that they stop. And they stop work.
Then God sends Haggai. This was big. The first prophet since Ezekiel and Daniel.
And does Haggai come in the tradition of all the prophets before him. No. Does Haggai do strange wild things? No. Does Haggai get vivid visions from God full of imagery and meaning? No.
We have finished teaching thru the entire book of Haggai. Only two chapters. Every message that Haggai gave was simple. It was plain and clear. Those messages were short and straight to the point. The call to action was clear.
Did God use Haggai? Yes. In a big way. God used Haggai’s messages to get the people to go from obeying man to obeying God. The people started doing the work of God again.
This has come up before but here it is again. God uses different men in different ways. And Haggai was fine with that. Haggai did not try to be an Ezekiel or an Isaiah. He did not try to serve God the way that those guys did. He did not try to do what God wanted them to do.
Haggai simply obeyed God and did what God wanted Haggai to do the way God wanted Haggai to do it. And God used it greatly.
Last time we saw Zechariah show up with a short message and then Haggai backed it up with two more messages. And now Haggai is done. The work is going again. The people also have been called out on their sin and informed that it is so bad that God is not accepting their worship.
There are years of work left before the temple is finished. And God said that the people prospered during the entire time due to the preaching of both Haggai and Zechariah. Even though Haggai is done after the first few months. This is not a conflict.
The messages that Haggai gave are scripture. Scripture is always helpful and profitable. There is no expiration date on it. So not only did those messages of Haggai help get the work going again, they also helped for years afterward as people read them and studied them.
Now that Haggai is done giving new scripture, Zechariah comes fully on the scene. And while Haggai was not in the tradition of all those prophets Zechariah is.
And think about this what better way to show them that God is with them just like He was before the captivity than to send them another prophet in the tradition of many of the old time prophets. Not in the object lesson way, but in the same tradition of God giving them vivid visions.
I have read thru the book of Zechariah several times in preparation for this and I don’t feel led to go thru the entire book verse by verse. We are going to take a look at the first vision he has and then just hit some of the highlights of the rest of the book.
And then we will go back to Ezra, but with an understanding of the type of preaching and messages that God was giving them while the work progressed. And with an understanding of the foundation that God was laying in the hearts of the people with these messages preparing them for Ezra showing up years later.
Zechariah’s first vision is a long one.
A Vision of a Horseman
Zec 1:7 Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
The 11th month. So we are to understand that none of these visions came until after Haggai is done preaching. They came after the people took a couple of steps closer to God.
Zec 1:8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
A strong symbol right from the start. He stood among the myrtle trees. What is a myrtle tree? Why a myrtle tree?
A myrtle tree is something that they would have been familiar with. It is an evergreen tree. It has green leaves all year long. It does not have periods where it does not produce. The leaves do not all die and fall off. It is green and lush all the time. So the myrtle tree speaks of stability and being constant.
And it produces beautiful flowers. The branches of the myrtle tree were also used to make the booths for the feast of tabernacles. Making those booths during that feast was being obedient to God and so it was a part of worshipping God during that feast.
The myrtle tree became a symbol of the blessings of God to them.
He sees a man standing among the myrtle trees. The man is an angel. So he is standing in the midst of the blessings to Israel. Angels are sent as ministering agents. The point being made here is that God is involved in and standing in the midst of the blessings to Israel.
Zec 1:9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
Zec 1:10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
So these horses are sent by the Lord to check things out and report back. Remember this is a vision. So they are not real horses. And they report back in the next verse.
Zec 1:11 And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
So they went to and fro through the earth and report back that it is at rest. So Babylon, who took God’s people into captivity, is at rest. Those that persecuted Israel are at rest.
Zec 1:12 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
After the report the angel said how long before you deal with this. The 70 years are over. Jerusalem is still being persecuted.
Jesus now answers.
Zec 1:13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
Exactly what He said is not recorded. But the overall thrust of His words is. They are good and comfortable words. So Jesus answered with reassuring words that He is going to have mercy upon Jerusalem.
Zec 1:14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
Zec 1:15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
The unbelievers took advantage of God being displeased with the Jews. And they helped forward the affliction. It was God’s will that the Jews be taken away for 70 years. After how they treated God, it was God’s right to have them taken away.
And God used the heathen to do it. But God is very sore displeased with the heathen for how they did it. And now the heathen that did all those terrible things are at rest. So Woe is coming to them.
This is a New Testament truth.
Mat_18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Luk_17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
No one gets away with hurting God’s people. They can get away with it only for a time. The wheels of Gods justice sometimes turn slow, but they never slip.
So in this first vision of the prophet to the Jews that returned to Jerusalem God is telling them that the days of the heathen being at rest is at an end. Trouble is going to come to them because of the trouble that they have caused God’s people.
Zec 1:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Zec 1:17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
The vision continues and now he sees a Vision of Horns and Craftsmen
Zec 1:18 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
In the Bible horns are often a symbol of power. When they had to move out, they would blow horns. The horns had the power to move the entire camp into motion or into war. Also when they blew the horns the walls of Jericho fell.
Zec 1:19 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
So the horns are a representation of the powers that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. Those would primarily be Assyria and Babylon. And I think it also represents those that are keeping them scattered and those currently hurting them now.
Zec 1:20 And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.
Zec 1:21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
So God is sending carpenters to destroy the horns. To fray them. Fray can mean a combat, to fight. And they are going to win. The horns of the Gentiles, which used their power over Judah to scatter it, that power will be cast out.
It will be no more. And we know that is exactly what happened. Both Assyria and Babylon and even Persia eventually all get destroyed.
A Vision of a Man with a Measuring Line
Zec 2:1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Zec 2:2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
Zec 2:3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
Zec 2:4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
Zec 2:5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
Zec 2:6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
Zec 2:7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
Zec 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
Zec 2:9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
So again the message that those that touch the apple of my eye will be taken care of. And this truth that God is with you and that He has His eye upon you and that He cares for you. And that He will take care of those who hurt you. That truth goes for both them in that day and for us in this day. We are also the apple of His eye.
That truth should make us sing and rejoice.
Zec 2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
Zec 2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
Zec 2:12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Zec 2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
This vision is long and over and over and over we see God is saying. My eye is upon you. I care about what was done to you. I am with you. I will take care of this. Justice will be done.
And now one more thing is shown in this vision. A vision of Joshua the High Priest
Zec 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Zec 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
There is a spiritual battle taking place. It is still taking place. The Lord let Satan burn Jerusalem. But now God has plucked Jerusalem out of the fire. So no more of that.
This is another reassuring thing for the people to hear.
Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Zec 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Zec 3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
Zechariah speaks up. Probably overcome with excitement. And says set a fair mitre upon his head. The Mitre was something the high priest wore. It was a part of his outfit.
Why would he get moved enough to ask for that? Remember Haggai had the message that the people were doing sin that was bad enough that God would not accept their worship.
Here in this vision God is saying I am cleaning that up. Get Joshua some clean clothes. Take away the filthy garments. Why were Joshua’s garments filthy. Sin. He was the high priest. He represented the people.
Now God is saying that iniquity is forgiven. I am giving him new garments.
Zechariah is like. Yea! Let’s get worshipping right again. Get that fair mitre on his head and let’s get going.
Zec 3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
Zec 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
A look toward the future. A prophecy of the coming Jesus.
Zec 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
Jesus came as a servant, this is highlighted in the book of Mark.
God is telling them I am with you. I am not done with you. I will accept your worship once again. You are the apple of my eye. I am going to deal with the heathen who are now at rest. But they will not be for very long. I am going to destroy their power. I am going to take care of things. I am choosing Jerusalem once again. And in the future Jesus is coming as a servant.
Can you see the hope being given these people by God? Can you see the forgiveness? The help? The encouragement?