God’s people are very near to His heart
Bible Text: Zechariah 1:7-17 | Preacher: Henry De Oliveira | Series: Zechariah’s Prophecies | Introduction
5 months since the building of the Temple began (from Haggai)
The Jews were uncertain of how God was working in their lives
They had abandoned building God’s temple
God sent Zechariah to show that He had not abandoned them
Zechariah means ‘God Almighty remembers’
Previously
Zech 1:1-6 – a theme of repentance
1:3 – return to God
God now reveals the future lesson
1:7-6:15 – a series of visions given to Zechariah
8 visions
How the truth of this vision affirms us in our faith
God speaking through visions was not uncommon
Numbers 12:6
Examples
God revealed Himself to Zechariah through visions
Does God still give visions today?
3 questions & answers
Visions to some – God can use any means He deems necessary
Visions:
The Bible is complete
The Lord Jesus has already given us all things that pertain to life and godliness
Any true vision will accord with the word of God
Quote from JC Ryle
Zechariah’s vision
At night – sometimes he needed waking up
Not just as a personal experience but to pass the truth revealed to the people
To encourage the people in the rebuilding of the temple
It is very easy to live for ourselves or the ‘matters of life’
These visions helps us to abandon the ‘live for the moment’ attitude
Vision of the Horses:
Due to time, the details are not the priority
Focusing on the message God is giving through the vision
Overview
Our Lord’s Intercession for His people
Our Lord’s Jealousy for His own people
Our Lord’s promises for His people
Our Lord’s Intercession for His people
How near are we to the Lord’s heart?
We are very close to God’s heart because our Lord intercedes for His people
The horses said that “earth was resting quietly” – the land was a rest
The Jews could focus on the task of rebuilding the Temple
Would we not desire such a time?
The response of the Angel of the Lord was that God was angry with the Jews – Explanation
God reveals His heart
That He remembers His people
That He is concerned for His people
The Angel of the Lord intercedes on their behalf
Often with deistic properties
Ex 3:2
Gen 16, 31
Joshua 5
Judges
The pre-incarnate appears of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ intercedes for us
1 John 1:2
Heb 7:25
Rom 8:34
He is the only mediator between God and man – 1 Tim 2:5
Rom 5:10 – we now belong to God
God desires prayer
Jesus Himself prays for us
God responds to intercessory prayer with delight – with good and comforting words (v13)
Even when we don’t know what to pray – Christ prays for us
Our Lord’s Jealousy for His own people
How near are we to the Lord’s heart?
v14
God is zealous – jealous
Today jealousy carries connotations of envy
The original definition – ‘to be fiercely protective of one’s rights or possessions’
God is fiercely protective of His people
Not a weak emotion
God is completely and utterly invested in His people
The people were sinful – despite all warnings they were slow to repentance
God was zealous for His people because He chose them
Deut 7:6-8
God chooses us
God’s jealously is provoked when people mistreat His people
v15
God’s anger was greater with the surrounding nations
God is fiercely protective of us
He paid the ultimate price for us
God’s motivation in His jealousy is His honour and glory
Rom 12:19
2 Thess 1:6-9
God will return with vengeance
We should earnestly seek their salvation
Rom 8:31-39
Our Lord’s promises for His people
How near are we to the Lord’s heart?
God gives us promises
v16
God is returning in mercy
God had withdrawn compassion from His people for their sin
Micah 7:19
We deserve judgment but God returns with mercy
God chooses to be merciful
It exalts God – Isa 48:11
It is in His character – Ps 138
It is His answer to His Son’s intercession for us
Because we are near to His heart
Example of Song
Three more specific promises
v16 – His house shall be built
4 years later His Temple was completed
Matt 16: God’s Church continues to grow
v16 – The work of rebuilding with extend to the whole city
Let us pray that God’s work will not just be limited to this building
v17 – The cities shall spread through prosperity
There does not need to be a limit to God’s growth
Closing Remarks