“I, the Lord, was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’ Zechariah 1:2-4 NLT
Zechariah was a prophet to Israel after the 70 years captivity when many had moved back into Jerusalem and faced the daunting task of rebuilding, both the city and the temple. He was actually born in Babylon, where his ancestors had been taken captive as a result of their unending pattern of sin against God. The message, in the opening verses of his book, was one designed to encourage the people to return to God with all their hearts and avoid the mistakes their ancestors had made. His message was one of hope!
Then the angel said to me, “Shout this message for all to hear: ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong. Zechariah 1:14 NLT
God wanted His people to know that despite their past sins, He had not written them off, nor had He forgotten them. The name Zechariah actually means, God remembers. If you’ve struggled with a pattern of unending sin, it’s great to know that God’s love for you is still passionate and strong! His message to you is the same as it was to them: Set your sin aside and I will help you rebuild your life!
‘Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’ “Say this also: ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.’” Zechariah 1:16-17 NLT
When Zechariah’s ancestors chose to continue in sin, eventually everything was destroyed and they were carried off into captivity. But God wanted them to know that it was time to rebuild. If you’ve endured the loss of things or relationships you valued as a result of your sin, know this: God wants to help you rebuild!
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” Zechariah 3:1-3 NIV
What a beautiful picture of grace and mercy! I too am a burning stick snatched from the fire, once deserving condemnation, with nothing to wear but filthy rags, but now clothed in a robe of righteousness, given to me by a merciful God, who suffered torture on the cross to obtain for me a garment of salvation! You too can trade in your filthy rags for a robe of righteousness!
The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here. Zechariah 3:6-7 NIV
If you walk in obedience to God you can be sure that He was amazing plans for your life!
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’” Zechariah 4:6-7 NIV
If sin has made a mess of your life and you see no way to rebuild, take encouragement from the prophecy of Zechariah. God can level the mighty mountain that stands in your way! Just take the first steps. Determine that you will no longer walk in sin and take the necessary steps to start rebuilding today. To reach your desired destination, remember, every journey begins with a small step.
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT