Zechariah 4-5

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Visions: Golden Lamp Stand, Flying Scroll, Woman in the Basket

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. At the time of the end, Israel will be a witness to the light of the world.

  2. At the time of the end, wickedness will be exposed and judged.

  3. At the time of the end, wickedness will be removed and banished.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Remember, bigger and more beautiful is not necessarily better.

QUESTIONS

  1. Describe the events in the lives of the Jews just prior and during the time of Zechariah’s visions.

  2. What caused the delay in rebuilding the temple?

  3. In light of this, why were the prophetic visions given to Zechariah?

  4. What was the proper role of the Jews in responding to the visions?

  5. What was the name of the godly governor of the Jews who had returned from captivity and would lead them in finishing the job of rebuilding the temple?

ANSWERS

  1. The Jews had returned from their seventy-year captivity in Babylon, and they had started to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. However the temple still was not finished after a delay of about fifteen years.

  2. The people had become discouraged when they were threatened by the enemies in the surrounding Persian provinces.

  3. In order to encourage and motivate the people to finish the job of rebuilding the house of the Lord.

  4. The people needed to recognize that God was in control and as long as they looked to the Lord, He would enable them to do the work of rebuilding the temple. See Zechariah 4:6.

  5. Zerubbabel

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Review Doctrinal Point #1 describing the lampstand and its supply of oil. This encouraging vision taught that Israel would be restored to their God-given role as a light of testimony to the world. The lampstand is typical of Christ as the true light in both the tabernacle and the temple in the Old Testament. See Isaiah 49:6. Israel will be the means by which the testimony to the Gentiles will be carried out, even to the ends of the earth. Consider the high privilege and responsibility of God’s people, the Jews to be this testimony to the world.

  2. The flying scroll vision portrays the way that evil will ultimately be exposed and judged. The judgment will be swift. Through the ages, people seem to be able to hide sin and wickedness, but ultimately when the Lord returns all wickedness will be exposed and judged. Sin will not be swept under the rug. Have you brought your sins before the Lord to receive His forgiveness now?

  3. In the seventh prophetic vision, Zechariah sees two women with wings. What does this means? Wickedness, represented by the woman in the basket is now under restraint, but will eventually be removed and banished. Where organized rebellion against God began at the tower of Babel, there it will end. Wickedness will have run its full cycle. What an encouraging vision for Israel and for us as well.

CHALLENGE

  1. “Who has despised the day of small things?” Zechariah 4:10. Bigger and more beautiful is not necessarily better. It is the attitude of heart that counts. If the Lord is in the work and it is being done for Him and by Him, that is what really counts. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6. Are you involved in a small ministry? The question is not size or grandeur. The issue is your priorities and attitude of the heart. Is the Lord in the midst? Is He being honored, or are you looking to human might and power? Don’t despise the day of small things.

KEY VERSES

  • “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6

  • “Who has despised the day of small things?” Zechariah 4:10

  • “I saw a flying scroll…this is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth.” Zechariah 5:2-3

Zechariah, Talks, Old TestamentDeb HarmsZechariah 4-5