Justice

Zechariah 7:7-9 - Are these not the words the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were at rest and prosperous, and the Negev and the western foothills were settled?’” And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: “This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.


Isaiah 1:17-18 - Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Hosea 10:12 - Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.

Application:

· Do I take advantage of the fatherless and the widow? Do I seek the just functioning of society?
· Forgiveness is conditioned on reformation of life or being obedient.
· Do I act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord? Am I obedient?
· Do I do what is right? Am I blessed by God? Am I unproductive, or am I repentant? Have I made a radical new beginning? Am I becoming productive and fruitful? Am I loyal to Him?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

For Yourselves

Zechariah 7:4-6 - Then the word of the LORD Almighty came to me: “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?


Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

Isaiah 58:4,7 - Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high…Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Application:

· Do I take advantage of the fatherless and widows? Do I seek the just functioning of society?
· Is my religious activity hypocritical? Does it hinder prayer?
· Do I have any outward evidence of genuine righteousness?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Those Who Are Far Away Will Help

Zechariah 6:14-7:3 - The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the LORD. Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the LORD your God.” In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev. The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek, together with their men, to entreat the LORD by asking the priests of the house of the LORD Almighty and the prophets, “Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”


Jeremiah 7:22-23 - For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.

Isaiah 60:5 - Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.

Zechariah 12:12-14 - The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, and all the rest of the clans and their wives.

Application:

· Do I have a right relationship brought about by faith in the God who delivers? Do I walk in all God’s ways because of my faith?
· The victory of God includes the victory of His people and the blessings of the world, as promised.
· The Spirit will give grace, which implies repentance on the part of the people and forgiveness from the Lord.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

His Throne

Zechariah 6:13 - It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’


Psalm 110:4 - The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

2 Samuel 7:16 - Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

Isaiah 9:7 - Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Luke 1:32-33 - He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Application:

· Jesus, the now-reigning heir of David, is also the ultimate priest.
· Christ’s throne will be established forever
· Christ will rule in righteousness. God is like a jealous lover who will not abandon His people.
· Jesus is the promised successor to the throne of David.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Crown

Zechariah 6:12 - Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD.


Isaiah 4:2 - In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.

Ezekiel 17:22 - “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.

Zechariah 4:6-7 - So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Isaiah 2:2 - In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

Haggai 2:7 - I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.

Application:

· Jesus bears royal honor, has all authority and is my legitimate king
· The Branch of the Lord is the Messiah. He came from the Lord and His rule spreads over the world.
· God has made Jesus Christ my King
· Do I understand that my resources for overcoming obstacles comes from an outpouring of God’s Spirit?
· Faith in the power of God’s Spirit can overcome opposition and my unwillingness to persevere
· A river of humanity will one day flow uphill to worship the one true God
· When Christ came to the earthly temple, glory (God’s presence) was evident as never before

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Babylonia

Zechariah 5:10-11 - “Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel who was speaking to me. He replied, “To the country of Babylonia to build a house for it. When the house is ready, the basket will be set there in its place.”


Daniel 1:2 - And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.

Zechariah 2:12 - The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.

Application:

· Have I removed the objects of my idolatry to a safe distance from where they will never again return to trouble me?
· Have I disobeyed God’s Word regarding covenant-keeping and idolatry?
· Does God dwell with me? Have I come to worship Him and Him alone?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Measuring Basket

Zechariah 5:2,6-9 - He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.”… I asked, “What is it?” He replied, “It is a basket.” And he added, “This is the iniquity of the people throughout the land.” Then the cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman! He said, “This is wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed its lead cover down on it. Then I looked up—and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.


Application:

· Does the bold, clear message of judgment spur me on to repentance and righteousness?
· Wickedness exists under the power and authority of God.
· The removal of wickedness would be the work of God alone.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Look Up And See

Zechariah 5:2-5 - He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.” And he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. The LORD Almighty declares, ‘I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it completely, both its timbers and its stones.’” Then the angel who was speaking to me came forward and said to me, “Look up and see what is appearing.”


Application:

· Does the bold, clear message of judgment spur me on to repentance and righteousness?
· Am I guilty of infractions against the whole law?
· God’s Word, whether promise or warning, always accomplishes its purpose.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

It Will Enter And Destroy

Zechariah 5:3-4 - And he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. The LORD Almighty declares, ‘I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it completely, both its timbers and its stones.’”


Zechariah 8:16-17 - These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.

Habakkuk 2:9 - “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!

Application:

· God’s Word, whether promise or warning, always accomplishes its purpose
· Do I lie? Do I devise wicked schemes?
· Do I rely on treasures and wealth for protection?
· Am I guilty of infractions against the whole law?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Day Of Small Things

Zechariah 4:6-7,10 - So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”… “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”


Haggai 2:23 - “‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”

Revelation 5:6 - Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Application:

· God oversees the whole earth and is therefore in control of all situations.
· The Holy Spirit is the seal guaranteeing my future inheritance
· Jesus has been victorious and will have all power because of His death and resurrection
· Do I understand that my resources for overcoming obstacles comes from an outpouring of God’s Spirit?
· Faith in the power of God’s Spirit can overcome opposition and my unwillingness to persevere.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

These

Zechariah 4:3-7,10,14 - Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied. So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty“. What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”.… “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”…So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”


Ezra 5:2 - Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

1 Kings 19:12 - After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Isaiah 11:2-4 - The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

Application:

· Do I do God’s work in the power of the Spirit?
· Do I serve the Lord of all the earth?
· Do I understand that my resources for overcoming obstacles come from an outpouring of God’s Spirit?
· Do I trust in my own might and power? Or, do I trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
· Do I call for God to judge people even though it is not His will? Do I perform my God-given mission anyway if He says no?
· Has God given me wisdom and understanding for leadership, counsel and might to carry out His wise plans, and the knowledge and fear of Him?
· Do I realize faith in God’s Spirit can overcome mountainous obstacles, including opposition and unwillingness to persevere?
· God oversees the whole earth and is therefore in control of all situations.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

What Do You See?

Zechariah 4:2-3,6,14 - He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”… So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty…So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”


Zechariah 5:2 - He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.”

Application:

· The Holy Spirit provides the fullness of God’s power!!!
· Does the bold, clear message of judgment against sin spur me on to repentance and righteousness?
· Do I do God’s work in the power of the Spirit?
· Do I serve the Lord of all the earth?
· Do I understand that my resources for overcoming obstacles comes from an outpouring of the Holy Spirit?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

That Day

Zechariah 3:10 - “‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”


Isaiah 2:20 - In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship.

Zechariah 4:1,6-7,10,14 - Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep…So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”… “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”… So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”

Application:

· Do I see the futility of worshiping idols?
· Do I understand the obstacles that face me are not overcome by conventional resources? Do I understand my resources come from an outpouring of God’s Spirit?
· Do I realize faith in the power of God’s Spirit can overcome mountainous obstacles, including opposition and unwillingness to persevere?
· God’s work may start in small and unobtrusive ways, yet reach a glorious conclusion!!! God oversees the whole earth and is therefore in control of every situation!!!
· Do I serve the Lord of all the earth?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Rebuke and Rebuke

Zechariah 3:2 - The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”


Zechariah 4:7 - “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Zechariah 2:12 - The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.

Zechariah 13:8-9 - In the whole land,” declares the LORD, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

Deuteronomy 4:20 - But as for you, the LORD took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.

Application:

· If I have faith in the power of God’s Spirit, I can overcome mountainous obstacles, whether practical, political or spiritual, including opposition and my unwillingness to persevere!!!
· Does God dwell with me? Have I come to worship Him?
· God is merciful in the midst of judgment!!!
· Is the Lord refining me like silver and testing me like gold?
· Has the Lord brought me through affliction, testing and refinement? Is He still bringing me through?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Satan

Zechariah 3:1 - Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.


Zechariah 6:11 - Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak.

2 Samuel 24:1 - Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

Exodus 19:5-6 - Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Job 1:12 - The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job 2:3 - Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

Application:

· My Messiah, King and High Priest, Jesus, reigns!!!
- Do I try to glorify myself and depend on myself rather than the Lord?
· Have I set myself apart? Do I persevere in faithfulness? Am I wholly consecrated to His service?
· Will I prove my accuser (Satan) to be false? Will God delight in me?
· Will I hold fast to integrity? Everything that happens is part of God’s divine purpose!!!

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Holy Land

Zechariah 2:12-13 - The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”


Exodus 3:5 - “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Exodus 14:14 - The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Application:

· Does the Lord dwell with me? Have I come to worship the Lord? Am I one of His chosen?
· Have I been declared holy? Am I consecrated to the Lord’s service? Am I separated from the commonplace?
· Do I recognize that even though I am armed for battle, all victories are won by God alone?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Many Nations

Zechariah 2:11 - “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.


Jeremiah 24:7 - I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Zechariah 8:8,22-23 - I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”… And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.” This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”

Isaiah 2:2,20 - In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it…In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship.

Application:

· Has God given me a saving knowledge of Him? Do I see God’s Sovereign grace? Have I repented in my heart?
· Am I blessed by the faithfulness and righteousness of God?
· Do I seek the Lord Almighty and entreat Him?
· Am I truly godly? Do I attract others to the Lord?
· Do I worship the one true God?
· Am I truly converted? Do I quibble over losing my idols?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

I Will Live Among You

Zechariah 2:6-10 - “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD. “Come, Zion! Escape, you who live in Daughter Babylon!” For this is what the LORD Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me. “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD.


Isaiah 42:6-7 - “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

Zechariah 9:9 - Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Numbers 23:21 - “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.

2 Corinthians 6:16 - What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Application:

· Have I been freed from spiritual and moral bondage?
· My King is righteous and has brought salvation!!!
· My Lord is with me!!!
· God dwells directly and immediately in my midst!!!

All Scripture verses taken from NIV