ZECHARIAH'S VISION: THE HORSES

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) Zechariah encouraged the people to put away the sin in their lives and to continue rebuilding the temple. His visions described the judgment of Israel's enemies, the blessings to Jerusalem, and the need for God's people to remain pure - avoiding hypocrisy, superficiality, and sin. Zechariah's visions provided hope for the people. We need to carefully follow the instruction to remain pure until Christ returns again.

b) Let's consider Zechariah's vision in the Scripture text and its significance.

1. Scripture text: Zechariah 1:7-17

i) 7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of 
Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet: 8 I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. 9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.

10 And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” 11 So they answered the Angel of the Lord, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.” 12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?”

13 And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem, And for Zion with great zeal. 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; For I was a little angry, And they helped—but with evil intent.” 
16 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord:“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the Lord of hosts,“And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.”’ 17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The Lord will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem.”’” (Zechariah 1:7-17 NKJV) 


2. Vision

a) Zechariah sees messengers reporting to God that the surrounding nations that have oppressed Judah are living in careless and sinful ease.

3. Significance

a) Israel was asking, "Why isn't God punishing the wicked?" Wicked nations may prosper, but not forever. God will bring upon them the judgment they deserve.



The End ...

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