Day 268 of the podcast, reading Zechariah 1-8 NET, read along at:
https://netbible.org/bible/Zechariah+1-8/
This is day 268 of our journey.
Zechariah was sent to the exiles in Judah during the reign of Darius of Persia. Today we will read of a series of 8 visions that Zechariah received. These visions are preceded by a general call to repentance. These eight visions are meant to be an encouragement to the people in rebuilding the temple. They speak of the removal of the sins of the people and of the protection of the Lord from neighboring nations. God has prepared everything for the rebuilding project! After these visions we read a question about fasting. The people have been fasting at certain times throughout the exile, but God desires that they would practice justice as a true form of fasting. Their fasts will become feasts!
Join me in Zechariah 1-8 to prepare for the rebuilding of the temple!
Key verses:
Zechariah 1:3
Therefore say to the people: The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “Turn to me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will turn to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Zechariah 2:12
The Lord will take possession of Judah as his portion in the holy land and he will choose Jerusalem once again.
Zechariah 3:4
The angel spoke up to those standing all around, “Remove his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you in fine clothing.”
Zechariah 4:6
Therefore he told me, “This is the Lord’s message to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Zechariah 5:4
“I will send it out,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and it will enter the house of the thief and of the person who swears falsely in my name. It will land in the middle of his house and destroy both timber and stones.”
Zechariah 6:15
Then those who are far away will come and build the temple of the Lord so that you may know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me to you. This will all come to pass if you completely obey the voice of the Lord your God.”’”
Zechariah 7:9
“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies said, ‘Exercise true judgment and show brotherhood and compassion to each other.
Zechariah 8:8
And I will bring them to settle within Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.’
All Scriptures are from the NET.
Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:
https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Zechariah/
