1 In the eighth month, 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,
2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
5 Your fathers, where [are] they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
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,
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.
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].
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.
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.
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?
13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me [with] good words [and] comfortable words.
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.
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.
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.
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.
18 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
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.
20 And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.
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.
Overview of Zechariah Chapter 1
Zechariah Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the prophetic messages delivered by Zechariah, a post-exilic prophet. The chapter emphasizes God’s desire for His people to return to Him and the importance of repentance. It sets the stage for the subsequent visions and messages that will unfold throughout the book.
Key Themes
- Call to Repentance: The chapter emphasizes the need for the people of Israel to turn back to God.
- Divine Compassion: It highlights God’s willingness to forgive and restore His people.
- Judgment and Restoration: The themes of judgment against nations and the promise of restoration for Israel are introduced.
- God’s Sovereignty: The chapter affirms God’s control over history and nations.
Structure of the Chapter
- Introduction (Verses 1-6): Zechariah’s prophetic call and the message of repentance.
- Vision of the Horsemen (Verses 7-17): The first vision that reveals God’s awareness of the nations and His plans for Jerusalem.
- Promise of Restoration (Verses 16-17): God’s assurance of rebuilding and comfort for His people.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-6: Call to Repentance
In the opening verses, Zechariah addresses the people of Israel, urging them to return to God. He emphasizes that their ancestors had turned away from God, leading to their downfall. The call to repentance is a central theme, as God expresses His anger towards their ancestors but also His willingness to forgive those who turn back to Him.
Verses 7-17: Vision of the Horsemen
This section introduces a significant vision where Zechariah sees a man riding a red horse among myrtle trees. This imagery represents God’s watchfulness over the earth. The horsemen report that the earth is at peace, indicating a time of judgment against the nations that have oppressed Israel. The vision serves to reassure the people that God is aware of their suffering and is actively working for their restoration.
Verses 16-17: Promise of Restoration
God promises to return to Jerusalem with mercy and to rebuild the city. This promise is crucial as it signifies hope for the exiled people. The mention of Jerusalem being a city of comfort underscores God’s commitment to His covenant with His people. The chapter concludes with a message of encouragement, reinforcing that God will bless His people and restore their fortunes.
Conclusion
Zechariah Chapter 1 is a foundational text that sets the tone for the rest of the book. It emphasizes the importance of repentance, God’s compassion, and His plans for restoration. Through vivid imagery and prophetic visions, the chapter reassures the people of Israel of God’s enduring presence and sovereignty, laying the groundwork for the messages of hope and renewal that follow in subsequent chapters.
