Zechariah

Zechariah 1: The LORD calls His people back

Begin in prayer

Before we read the LORD’s call to return to Him, let us stop and come to Him together. Ask Him to quiet our hearts, and to show us that He comes to His people with mercy.

“Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”

Joel 2:12

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You call Your people to return and come to them with mercy, and help us to see Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Zechariah receives the LORD’s word in the second year of King Darius, before the LORD’s house in Jerusalem is rebuilt. The LORD tells them to return to Him, and reminds them that their fathers would not listen to the prophets. A few months later Zechariah sees a night vision of a rider among myrtle trees, with other horses behind him. The angel asks how long the LORD will hold back mercy from Jerusalem, after seventy years. The LORD answers with kind and comforting words, and says His house will be built and Zion comforted. Last, Zechariah sees four horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem, and four craftsmen who come to cast them down.

As you read Zechariah 1, look for the answers:

• What does the LORD tell His people to do, and what does He promise to do? (verse 3)
• What kind of words does the LORD speak, and what does He say about Jerusalem? (verses 13 to 16)
• What have the four horns done, and why do the craftsmen come? (verses 19 to 21)

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD calls His people to return to Him, and He comes to them with mercy.

Zechariah spoke in the second year of King Darius, and the LORD’s house in Jerusalem was not yet rebuilt (verses 1 and 16). The LORD begins with a hard memory. Their fathers heard the prophets and would not listen (verse 4). The fathers and the prophets are gone, but the LORD’s words overtook them, and in the end they admitted it (verses 5 and 6). So the LORD now says, “Return to me,” and He promises, “I will return to you” (verse 3). The night vision shows the LORD’s care. His riders have gone through the earth, and the angel asks how long mercy will wait after seventy years (verses 10 to 12). The LORD answers with kind and comforting words, “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy” (verses 13 and 16). He is jealous for Zion, so He will not leave His people to those who harm them (verses 14 and 15).

How does Zechariah 1 show us that the LORD calls His people to return to Him, and that He comes to them with mercy?

The LORD calls His people to return, as He called their fathers.

The former prophets told the fathers to turn from their evil ways and evil doings (verse 4). The fathers did not hear or listen. The fathers and the prophets are gone, but the LORD’s words overtook them anyway (verses 5 and 6). Jesus began His preaching with the same call to turn and believe the good news (Mark 1 verse 15).

The LORD returns to Jerusalem with mercy and comfort.

After seventy years, the angel asks how long the LORD will hold back mercy from Jerusalem (verse 12). The LORD answers with kind and comforting words (verse 13). He says, “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy,” and His house will be built there (verse 16). He will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem (verse 17).

The LORD sends craftsmen to cast down the horns that scattered Judah.

Zechariah sees four horns, and the angel says they scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem (verses 18 and 19). Judah was so scattered that no one could lift up his head (verse 21). Then the LORD shows four craftsmen, who come to terrify the horns and cast them down (verses 20 and 21). The nations lifted up their horn against Judah, but the LORD stands up for His people (verse 21).

Memorise

Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Return to me,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and I will return to you,’ says Yahweh of Armies.

Zechariah 1:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where have I refused to listen to God, and why do I need Jesus?

The LORD says, “Return to me,” and He promises, “I will return to you.” Jesus began His preaching with the same call, telling people to repent and believe the good news. In Jesus the LORD came to His people with mercy.

Every one of us has refused to listen to God. The sin of His people brought God’s judgment, and Jesus carried it for them on the cross. His death paid the whole debt of their guilt, and it is enough. The Father raised Him to life, and death cannot take that payment away.

So come to Him, and bring your wandering heart. Turn from your sin, and trust Jesus. He gives forgiveness to everyone who returns to Him in this way.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD calls everyone to return to Him, and that Jesus is the way to come. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for calling His people to return and for coming to them with mercy, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

because Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”

2 Chronicles 30:9

Lord God, thank You for calling Your people to return, and for coming to them with mercy. Please show each one of us where we have refused to listen, and lead us to repent and trust Jesus. Help us to listen to Your Word this week. Amen.