Lesson 9 for May 28, 2011

Zechariah and Haggai were called to the prophetic ministry in the second year of the reign of Darius (520 BC) to invigorate the reconstruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. God called an ancient prophet (Haggai) and a young one (Zechariah) so the urgent call could be announced to everyone who had returned from Babylon.

God introduces himself to Zechariah as a fair God; He reminds the people of Israel that they were taken captive because of their disobedience, not because of a divine whim. He urged them to come back to God and not to make their parents’ mistakes again. God introduces himself to Zechariah as a fair God; He reminds the people of Israel that they were taken captive because of their disobedience, not because of a divine whim. He urged them to come back to God and not to make their parents’ mistakes again.

The Samaritans urged Smerdis --king of Persia-- to stop the reconstruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. Everybody was quiet; nobody was doing anything (v. 11) But God had not forgotten His people. His great compassion would make the building of the Temple and the prosperity of Israel possible. The Samaritans urged Smerdis --king of Persia-- to stop the reconstruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. Everybody was quiet; nobody was doing anything (v. 11) But God had not forgotten His people. His great compassion would make the building of the Temple and the prosperity of Israel possible.

The fair and merciful God would not let those who had taken advantage of the people of Israel go unpunished. “And I said, "What are these coming to do?" So he said, "These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it."” (Zechariah, 1: 21) Zechariah

Joshua is holy --separated for God--, but his garments are like filthy garments before God, highlighting his sinfulness and the sinfulness of all the people who he represented. “Joshua, standing before the angel of the Lord with defiled garments, represents those whose religious life has been faulty, who have been overcome by Satan’s temptations, and are unworthy of God’s favor. Today human beings stand before God with defiled garments. All their righteousness is “as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Satan uses against them his masterly accusing power, pointing to their imperfections as evidence of their weakness. He points scornfully at the mistakes of those who claim to be doing God service. They have been deceived by him, and he begs for permission to destroy them” E.G.W. (This day with God, August 5)

“Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes."” (Zechariah, 3: 4) It is important to notice that the angel is who cleans Joshua from sin. There are no merits in us, our sins can only be washed away by the sacrifice of Jesus. “The Angel of the Lord”, Jesus, is there to save and redeem. This is, without exception, the most important truth in all Scripture.

In addition to the rich garments, a turban with the inscription “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” is placed on Joshua’s head. We received a call to holiness and obedience once our sins are washed away, and not before that. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: `If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here.`” (Zechariah, 3: 7) Zechariah was told how to obtain sanctification later: “`Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah, 4: 6)

“We shall have done nothing worthy of life. Jesus the sinless died, having done nothing deserving of death. The sinner is saved without having done anything worthy of salvation. He is wholly without merit. But clothed with the spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness, he is accepted by God. The living way has been laid open. Life and immortality have been purchased by Christ. Through obedience to God’s commands sinners may find pardon and peace” E.G.W. (The Bible Echo, May 21, 1900)