Series: The Book of Zechariah
Sermon: Divine Restoration
Bible Passage: Zechariah 1:7-2:13
I. Last week
1. The LORD promised “Turn to me,” says the Lord Sabaoth, “and I will turn to you” (verse 2)
2. The they paid attention and confessed, ‘The Lord Sabaoth has indeed done what He said He would do to us, because of our sinful ways.’” (verse 6)
3. This happened when the Word of the LORD came first time (verse 1)
II. The people of Judah had a question/request to the LORD
1. “… how long before you have compassion on Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah which you have been so angry with for these seventy years?” (1:12)
2. The LORD responded with “good and comforting messages” (1:7-2:13)—
a. “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy” (1:14)
b. I have turned to Jerusalem with mercies
c. The LORD shall yet comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem (1:17)
d. I (the Lord says) will be a wall of fire surrounding Jerusalem and the source of glory in her midst (2:5)
e. Anyone who touches you [Jerusalem] touches the pupil of his eye. 2:9 “I am about to punish them (2:8-9)
f. I have come; I will settle in your [Jerusalem] midst (2:10)
g. The Lord will take possession of Judah as his portion in the holy land, and he will choose Jerusalem once again (2:9)
3. In all these promises, the LORD shows extraordinary affection and restoration plans for Jerusalem
4. How did the LORD accomplish these promises?
a. Haggai 2:6-8: the Lord Sabbaoth says: ‘In just a little while I will once again shake the sky and the earth, the sea and the dry ground. 2:7 I will also shake up all the nations, and they will offer their treasures; then I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord Sabbaoth. 2:8 ‘The silver and gold will be mine,’ says the Lord Sabbaoth
b. He used powerful pagan kings like Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes
c. He used leaders like Zerubbabel and Joshua, and people who are willing to be obedient
5. The Word of the LORD was brought to Zechariah by “the Angel of the LORD” מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֗ה
III. The lessons we learn
1. True repentance from sin and obedience to God is the beginning of God’s restoration of His people
2. God has a compassionate ownership over His people
3. Hard times for God’s people are not necessarily the result of God rejecting them
4. God provides ultimate protection to His people during hard times
The comforting message to Zechariah’s audience is: “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord (2:10)
IV. This passage has a direct connection with Jesus and His coming to this world:
1. John 1:14 the Word became flesh and took up residence among us
2. Heb 1:1 After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, 2 in these last days he has spoken to us in a son
3, Heb 2:1 “Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away”
4. Eph 2:21-22 In him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit
Take Away:
Enjoy God’s restoration with appropriate repentance guided by the Word of God