Zech. 1:7-17: A world at rest

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The Vision

1)     1:7-10

A)   The vision

1)     It’s night, dark

2)     Four horsemen

3)     Standing among myrtle trees in “the glen”

(a)   Def. a narrow, deep and secluded valley

(b)   NASU – ravine

(c)   NKJV – hollow

(d)   KJV – the myrtle trees that were in the bottom

(e)   POINT: There is a message of hope and restoration that is going to come out of the pit.

B)    Horses in the Persian Empire

1)     Military technology. The Persians were famous for their ability to fire a bow on horseback.

2)     Also, the newly formed communication and surveillance network.

(a)   Recall what the world was like at the time from our Haggai intro. (Review slide)

(b)   Darius revolutionized the administration of the empire.

(c)   He divided the empire into provinces called satrapies.

(d)   To keep everything under control he created, basically, the Pony Express.

(i)    Darius set up spies and officials who rode throughout the empire gathering intelligence so rebellions could be shut down immediately at the first sign of trouble.

(ii)  There were relay stations a day’s ride apart.

(iii)          A rider could go full speed to the next station and give his message to a fresh rider and horse who could go full speed the next day.  

3)     POINT: When we see these horses, the original audience would immediately know that we’re talking about an intelligence operation.

4)     v. 10 – These horses are God’s intelligence officers who have been sent to patrol the whole earth.

2)     v. 11 – The report: “all the earth remains at rest”

A)   At first glance, this sounds like great news. Instead, this is a nightmare scenario for God’s people.

B)    This is not good news.

1)     If “rest” was shalom, then it would probably be a good sign. That word implies wholeness, flourishing, and things being exactly as God intended them to be.

2)     The word used here describes a state of smug, arrogant complacency. This is a false rest.

3)     The quiet rest of a graveyard is not the same thing as the quiet rest of a healthy Godly home.

4)     cf. Amos 6:1 – Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria….”

C)    This rest is because the godless nations have used their military power to have absolute rule and they are securely sitting back completely unbothered with the sinful world as it is.  

1)     Meanwhile, God’s people in Jerusalem are hungry, living in a city with no walls, and the temple for their God is an unfinished pile of rocks.

2)     POINT: The world is not the way that it’s supposed to be.

3)     Rev. 6:1-8 – John uses the imagery on Zechariah to paint tell the same story.

A)   The world is at rest because of Roman imperialism and control, but God’s people are suffering.

B)    Rev. 6:9-10 – “How long!”

C)    Zech. 1:12 – How long!

4)     POINT: Just because the world is at rest, does not necessarily mean that the world is as it should be.

A)   Maybe your life is calm, and your bank account is stable, your career is on track. and there is no immediate threats or chaos…

1)     I think it would be a good idea for us in the United States to be very mindful of this lesson.

2)     Just because we are powerful and wealth and at peace does NOT mean that this is because God approves of us as a whole.

B)    Rest in our lives does not necessarily equal righteousness, and God’s approval.

God’s Response

1)     vv. 12-15

A)   There is no denying that God was angry with his people.

1)     Lev. 26:1-2 – “You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.”

2)     Lev. 26:33-35 – The land will enjoy it’s Sabbaths.

B)    v. 14 – God was exceedingly jealous for his people.

1)     This is almost universally a toxic trait by controlling people who are petty and insecure. It’s rooted in fear of losing something.

2)     For God, this isn’t petty insecurity, but a righteous, fierce, protective loyalty to protect his people and their relationship.

C)    v. 15 – God is angry with the nations that are at ease.

1)     He was only a little angry, but they went too far.

2)     e.g. Think about how you discipline your own kids. If they do something dangerous and run out into the street, you should go over the top and make sure they know they can’t do this.

(a)   But when other people discipline your kids, especially if it’s harsh, you jump in and protect them.

3)     God was angry with his people and sent them into Babylonian captivity (This applies to Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc.), But “the rod of his anger” went above and beyond his intent. They were excessively cruel, they indiscriminately killed innocents, they mocked God and enjoyed their violence. So now they get to pay for that.

(a)   Habakkuk

(i)    1:2 – Hab.: God, do something!

(ii)  1:5 – God: I am! (vv. 6-7)

(iii)          1:13 – Hab: Not that! They are worse than we are.

(iv) God: 2:5, 8 – Babylon will get his

(b)   cf. Jer. 25:11-12

(c)   The same thing was true about Persia.

(i)    Is. 44:28-45:6 – God raised up Cyrus and Persia to save his people from Babylon.

(ii)  Ezek. 32:17-18…

(a)   v. 20 – Egypt is there

(b)   v. 22 – Assyria is there

(c)   v. 24-25 – Elam is there (Elam is a description of Persia)

4)     God was angry with his people, so he raised up an oppressor to punish them, but the oppressors always went

2)     vv. 16-17 – Restoration

A)   v. 16 – “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy.; my house shall be built in it”

1)     Yes, Zerubbabel and Joshua would eventually rebuild the second temple.

2)     But promises like this are about WAY more than that. The Bible story points us to Jesus setting up the church in Jerusalem.

B)    v. 17 – “My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem”

C)    These are pointing us to God’s ultimate spiritual restoration after Jesus comes back and sin and it’s consequences are finally destroyed once and for all.