August 21, 2024 - Zechariah 1-7

Zechariah was contemporary with Haggai, and so, they shared the same historical context and concerns.  Not only had the returned Jews slacked off from completing the temple, but they were, once again, failing to live by the Lord’s commands.  Right out of the gate, the prophet speaks for the Lord and says to the people:  “Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you” (1:3).  What an offer!  Yet, like their fathers, they refused to return and did not listen to the Lord (1:4).  Here’s Israel’s hope, though:  “Thus says the Lord of hosts:  I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion” (1:14).

In the series of visions that follow, the Lord shows Zechariah how he will fight for and defend his people.  The people will be blessed and saved, “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (4:6).  The Lord is Israel’s portion and hope, and he is ours, also.

There’s no god as great as you, O Lord,

O Lord, my God.

There’s no god as great as you, O Lord,

O Lord, my God.

There’s no god who works the mighty wonders,

all the wonders that you do.

There’s no god who works the mighty wonders,

all the wonders that you do.   –Spanish language folk hymn (1979)