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Thursday, November 03, 2022

Bible Reading Reflection from Zechariah 1-6

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔼ℂℍ𝔸𝕀𝔸 𝟙:𝟛

"Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return to Me," declares the LORD of hosts, "that I may return to you," says the LORD of hosts.’"

The first message of Jesus, the Son of God was "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!" The first message of John the Baptist, the greatest prophet ever lived was "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!" The first message of Zechariah is also a call to repentance, "Return to Yahweh!"

The thousand years of the history of Israel is a call to repentance. Because humans, even the best of man, the saints of Yahweh, the redeemed of God are sinners. There's always a call to repentance.

We have already repented. Done never to do again. Once and for all in terms of Justification (Salvation) but in our Christian living, we have to live a life of repentance always, which we call Sanctification. Battling sins. Turning away from known sins. Getting up when fallen.

 

𝔼ℂℍ𝔸𝕀𝔸 𝟚:𝟙𝟙

"Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you."

God's grace is for all nations. God's Kingdom is for all people of the earth. People just need to be like Abraham: to believe in the promise of God.

Notice the tense in this verse and passage. It's future tense. It wasn't fulfilled at the time of this prophecy. It has never been fulfilled till today. There's no way it will be fulfilled in this present scenario. But it will come!

 

𝔼ℂℍ𝔸𝕀𝔸 𝟛:𝟛-𝟜

“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ Again he said to him, ‘See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.’”

This is the picture of God's cleansing: God's forgiving and accepting of sinners. Joshua wasn't told to remove his filthy garment. He can't. He didn't have the ability or capacity. He didn't even have the will, I would dare say so. And he wasn't told to put on the clean garment. He can't, wouldn't, and didn't have the ability and capacity.

Because this is a picture of justification before God. Specifically, the cleansing of the Israelites before God. Removing and Clothing was done by God. That's why we say, salvation is of God.

C. S. Lewis portrays for us a good analogy in his novel and movie "Chronicle of Narnia" when Edmund was turned into a golden Dragon for going astray. Aslan breathed upon him, burning his skin yet giving him life again. It was painful when his skin was burnt up! Similarly, Repentance, which is turning to God, is not an easy road. Painful but worth every bit of it.

BTW, once we are saved (justified) we are told to put on because we are made able now. Ephesians 4. That's why we are commanded to after God has made us alive, able, and active!

 

𝔼ℂℍ𝔸𝕀𝔸 𝟜:𝟜-𝟝, 𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛

“Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, ‘What are these, my lord?’ So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ And I said, ‘No, my lord.’”

Last time I mentioned that Jesus has a way of answering a question with a question. You see, the angel also answered him with a question each time Zechariah asked, in this chapter! Zechariah should have replied in question too, right? 😂 Something like this: "Do you suppose me to know them, my lord?"😂

 

𝔼ℂℍ𝔸𝕀𝔸 𝟝:𝟛

"Then he said to me, ‘This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.’"

When nobody is serious, even a diligent man gets discouraged and gives up. But God is not a man. He is not giving up His standard. If everyone sins, He will damn everyone. There's no escape from Him.

Notice the flying scroll for everyone to see. The curse, judgment is sure. Notice the word "everyone" "will be purged," there's no escape! And when wicked people are purged, symbolized by the women being taken away, blessed will be the land!

Don't we recall the pleasure and satisfaction and joy when we overcome sin and temptation; when sin is purged in our life?

A day will come when every sin and wickedness will be taken away from us, individually and from the land! What a glorious day that will be!

 

𝔼ℂℍ𝔸𝕀𝔸 𝟞:𝟙𝟛

"Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."

Prophesying about the Coming reign of Jesus Christ. He is both the Priest and King! That day has not been realized yet. That day will come.

This prophecy is interesting. It's given in the context of judgment. Because in the end evil shall not be the last chapter, even it be, it's about its destruction. Righteousness must triumph in the end.

The leaders of Israelites, both the kings and priests had led the people astray. And the people themselves had been equally disobeying God. They needed a judgment. But if they all would be killed, where would be the power of God? It would look like a triumph to the devil.

God always has a remnant like Lot in Sodom, Daniel in a pagan land, and Joseph in Potiphar's home. And Messiah will rule over them. Wicked people will be purged. The righteous will multiply, dominate the earth, and reign with Christ!