Thursday, January 23, 2020

Zechariah (14)


Below is our small group's final week in Zechariah, maybe there is something here for you.


Our text is Zechariah Chapter 14, the last chapter of the last “burden/oracle of the word of Yahweh” that began at 12:1.

Chapter 14 continues the trajectory of the previous two chapters, and indeed of the book of Zechariah. All of the themes of Zechariah are found throughout the Bible, some are explicitly portrayed, others are implicit. Some are obvious, some are not. As Glen reminds our group, we all need the Holy Spirit to “see” and truly understand the Bible. If 1 Corinthians Chapter 2 is true, then we simply cannot understand the Scriptures and the things of God without the Holy Spirit, without God revealing Himself to us and in us. We don’t check our minds at the door, but we submit our minds to the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1 – 2).

Psalm 2 – As Psalm 1 portrays two paths for individuals, Psalm 2 portrays 2 paths for all the nations of the world (including our own). In essence the nations and peoples of the world are all in rebellion against Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God; at some point the governments (all of them) will be brought to nothing and God’s Kingdom will fill the earth – Daniel Chapter 2. Let’s remember, we are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20).

Here are some passages that overlap Zechariah 14 in various ways. These themes are presented again and again with varying nuances throughout the Bible, as we read and ponder and meditate on God’s Word they form an integrated and cohesive whole – the Big Picture comes together in Christ. It is all about Christ – remember that in Luke 24 Jesus Christ reveals Himself through what we call the OT, both to the couple on the road to Emmaus and to the disciples in the Upper Room.

How do these passages integrate with Zechariah 14?

How do they speak to us about Christ today in our lives?

How might we live in each passage today, and how might each passage live in us and through us?

Isaiah 60:14 – 22

Isaiah Chapter 2

Zechariah 14:7: Revelation 21:22 – 22:5 “they will see His face and His name will be written on their foreheads” (22:4).

Psalms 17:15; 27:8; 31:16 – are we seeking the Face (Presence) of God?

Matthew 5:5, 8; Hebrews 12:14. How is our Father purifying our hearts? How can we help one another live with purity of heart? 1 Peter 1:22 – 25 and Hebrews 4:12 – 13 are two of many Scriptures that can help us think about how God purifies our hearts.

Revelation 16:13 – 21; note verse 15; see also Revelation 3:4 – 5; 19:8.

Feast of Booths (also known as the Feast of Tabernacles) is the last “feast” of the Biblical year; Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost (also known as the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of First fruits), and then the Feast of Booths. The final Feast is portrayed in the final section of the final “word” of God to Zechariah.

It is fitting for the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles to the be final Feast of the year in that Christ came to tabernacle among us (John 1:14 – 18) and a time will come when God will live in us and we will live in Him in a fulness beyond our understanding (Revelation 21:3; Ephesians 1:9 - 12).

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