Zechariah 3  This next vision focuses on Joshua, the High Priest.  As he stands before the "angel of the Lord" ( often used to describe the pre-incarnate Christ) in "filthy garments", Joshua is confronted by the accusations of Satan.  But, the Lord rebukes Satan, not  Joshua... for Joshua represents Jerusalem and the people of God.. and they are the "chosen". 

Then the Lord orders that the filthy garments be removed from Joshua.. " See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you in festal robes."   A clean turban is placed on Joshua's head and a message is given.. from the Lord:

" If you will walk in My ways, and if you will perform My service, then you will govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here."  The Bible Knowledge Commentary explains the significance of this message...

To walk in God's ways.. "describes the personal attitude of the priests (and ultimately the nation) toward God.  To perform God's service.. is to be faithful in the priestly duties. 

If the High Priest obeys God's ways and performs his duties faithfully.. then.. he would continue in his role in God's house;  he would keep the temple free from idolatry and defilement;  and he would receive the privilege of standing with the holy ones who are standing in front of the Lord. 

Verses 8-10 explain that Joshua, the High Priest, is a symbol " for behold I am going to bring in My servant, the Branch".  Ultimately, it is the Messiah, Jesus Christ who will complete the work of the Priesthood.. He will "remove the iniquity of that land in one day." 

As we read in Hebrews, no human priest could do what only Christ can do.. He fully walked in God's ways without faltering.  He alone could perform the service that can save all who believe.. He is the Great High Priest and the perfect Lamb, who was slain.  Because of Jesus, our filthy garments are removed and we receive the "festal robes"!  Because of Jesus, our iniquity is taken away!  Hallelujah!

Father in heaven, once again we thank You and rejoice in the salvation that You have given to us through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!  Thank You for choosing us.. for giving us garments of righteousness and taking away all our sin and filth. Oh what a day that will be when we come to stand before You, clothed in His righteousness alone. We can not stand on our own efforts, Lord, but our hope is in Jesus. Thank You for that Living Hope that He gives to all who will come to Him. Father, open the eyes of those still in darkness, so that they will see the beauty of our Precious Lord. We ask this in His name. Amen. 

 Zechariah 2  Another vision comes to Zechariah. This time he sees a man with a measuring tape in his hands.  He was sent to take the measurements of Jerusalem.  The people who had returned to Jerusalem, who were tasked with its rebuilding, were given words of encouragement about their beloved city. 

God said.. "Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle within in."    There will be prosperity in the city again...far beyond  what their earthly eyes could see.  

God said, "For I.. the Lord will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst."  The Lord will not desert His city.. He will come to her. 

God said, "After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye."   The Lord sees what has happened and what is happening to His city.. and He will deal with those nations.  The city of Jerusalem is precious to our God. 

God said, "Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me."  The day of victory will come when Jesus comes to rule.. "Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst.. " 

God said, " And many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people." This has become one of my prayers for our nation... may we be a nation that joins herself with the Lord and be His people!

God said, "I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you."  

The Lord says He will possess Judah.. He will choose Jerusalem.. He WILL.. So.. 

"Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused from His holy habitation." 

Father in heaven, one day.. we will see every prophecy fulfilled.. every promise completed...and we will truly sing for joy!  Help us to keep believing and trusting.. looking up.. lifting our eyes.. to that which is unseen now.. but will be our eternal dwelling place.  You are coming to reclaim Your property.. not just the city of Jerusalem, but all the earth which Your hands have made.  Thank You for reminding us again, that this world is not our home.. but that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and that He is coming again to take us to where He is that we might be with Him forever.  Our minds are limited but our faith is in You.  You have spoken and You will do what You have promised.  O may we be ready!

amen. 

 Zechariah 1   This prophet preached at the same time as Haggai. This first message occurs 2 months after Haggai's first message and the second one, which starts at verse 7 takes place 2 months after Haggai's last one.  They both addressed the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.  They both saw the temple.. and stirred up the people and leadership to finish the rebuilding. 

Zechariah's first message can be summed up in verse 3 "Return to Me, declares the Lord, that I may return to you.. "   They are reminded of the past.. when the prophets warned their forefathers.. who did not listen.. and who were dealt with according to their "ways" and "deeds".   

This is what our God does.. He is perfectly just.  He warns us.. but if we refuse to listen and repent, we will face His judgement. Thankfully, He is also merciful and loving and His desire is for us to be in fellowship with Him.  What a sweet word... "Return to Me.. that I may return to You."   So thankful that He has made a way for us!

The second message is a little different.  Zechariah has a vision or dream.  He sees a man on a red horse. There are other horses and angels around... some who have come from patrolling the earth.  The patrol reports that there is peace and quiet in  "all the earth".  Then the Lord speaks with "gracious and comforting words".  The message is that He is "exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion."  He will return to Jerusalem.. the Temple will be rebuilt... the cities will prosper.. and the nations that came against Israel, will be thrown down. 

As we look at Jerusalem today.. in the light of current events, we see that there is no temple.. the nations surrounding her are still fighting against her.. and there is no "peace and quiet" in all the earth. But.. there will be!  A day will come.. and may it come soon.. when the Lord will return to us.. forever!  Meanwhile, let us heed the message of Zechariah.. and return to the Lord!

Father in heaven, we long for that day when we will see the New Jerusalem, coming in beauty and glory. We pray for those who are living out of fellowship with You, that they would heed the warnings and turn back to You.  We pray for those who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ who has made a way for  them to find forgiveness for their sins and new life in Him. Let the Word of God be preached!  Bring revival to our land, Lord God, and to our cities, and to our churches.  May the power of Your Spirit be poured out once again so that there will be a greater harvest for the glory of Your Name. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Haggai 2  This chapter contains 3 separate messages that the prophet was given for those rebuilding the Temple.  

Verses 1-9  are words of encouragement for those who were comparing the current building with the glorious Temple that Solomon had build.  They were told to "take courage"!   Take courage because God was with them.. ( v4).  Take courage because His Spirit "is abiding in your midst." (v5) And take courage because there will be a day when the Lord will "shake the heavens and the earth... all the nations.. and the Temple of the Lord will be filled with glory. (vs. 6-7)  What they lacked.. God does not lack. "The silver and the gold is Mine, declares the Lord of hosts." 

The future house will  have more glory than even Solomon's temple.. it will be a place where there will be perfect peace. (v9)

Verses 10-19 are the second message.. 2 months later.  Here,  the Lord has Haggai ask the priests two questions about the Law.  The questions have to do with what is made holy or unholy.  If someone carried "holy meat" in a garment.. it would not automatically make anything else touched by that garment "holy." However, if something unclean touched anything else.. that would be made unclean.  If I am thinking about this correctly then I would say.. holiness cannot be transferred, but, unholiness.. uncleanness.. can be transferred. 

Haggai said, "So is this people. And so is this nation before Me.. and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean." (v14)   Once again the Lord calls the people to "Consider their ways." From that day forward there would be a change.. a change in the hearts of the people.. and a change in their circumstances.. for the Lord was going to bless them beginning that day.. as the foundation of the Temple was laid.. the 24th day of the 9th month. 

Verses 20-23 This is a message addressed to Zerubbabel, the governor.  Zerubbabel was a descendant of David and named in Matthew in the lineage of Jesus.  It was not an accident or coincidence that Zerubbabel was in this place at this time.  "I have chosen you."  the Lord tells him.  When that day comes.. when all of heaven and earth is shaken.. when all thrones and  kingdoms are destroyed.. when every army is overthrown.. "On that day.. " the Lord tells him, " I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant.. and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you."  Can you imagine how encouraged this man would be after this?  

So what can we take from this passage.. what is the Shepherd saying to us today?  

Perhaps we are disappointed by how things are going.. in our lives.. or in our world.. and we need to be reminded to "take courage".. for a day is coming when the heavens and the earth will be shaken..but the Kingdom of God will never be shaken! We have a God who lacks nothing! Let us be encouraged!

Perhaps we need to be reminded that our God is holy and all that we offer to Him must be holy.. set apart from uncleanness.. from sin and death.  Perhaps we need to consider our ways.. and seek to do everything in His way.. to His glory. 

And perhaps, we need to be encouraged like Zerubbabel.. that God has chosen us for His purposes according to His timing.  We are made for this time and for this place.. because the God of hosts has chosen to put us here! 

Father in heaven, hallowed is Your Name.. You alone are our God, our Creator , and our Provider. Be glorified in our lives as You accomplish Your purposes in each of us.  May our hearts be courageous.. cleansed.. and committed to walking in Your ways.  Your Spirit is in our midst.. You are with us. Thank You! In Jesus' name.. Amen!

 Haggai 1  This prophet lived during the time of the return of Israel after the exile to Babylon.  Darius was king and had given them the permission and command to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.( Ezra 6)  There was some opposition, if you remember, from those living around Jerusalem, so the rebuilding had stalled.  Then the Lord spoke up:  "Consider your ways!" 

The people were saying, " The time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt."  They were living in "paneled houses".. they were taking care of their own homes.. but they were neglecting the Temple.. the House of the Lord.  "Consider your ways!"

Think about this, the Lord says, " You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes." ... "Consider your ways!"

Consider your ways.. "give careful thought to your ways" (NIV).  God calls them to take a long look at the path they are on.. the choices they are making.. the direction they are headed... by their neglect of the Temple, they were showing their neglect of worship, of reverence for God, and for obedience to His Word.  They were going in the wrong direction! "Consider your ways!"

"Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house.. " the Lord told them.. "You look for much, but behold it comes to little.... I blow it away.. "  All that they looked for, outside of His will, was useless and empty..  He "withheld the dew.. and the produce"  He "called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands."  A drought.. dryness, parching heat, desolation, waste.. 

Maybe we are feeling the "parching heat".. dryness, drought.  Maybe all that we looking for.. has been blown away....  All our plans and dreams.. all our hard work.. all that we were counting on for the future.. all our treasures... have come to mean nothing.. because we have neglected the most important things.. "Consider your ways!"

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

The good news is that the people of Israel listened to Haggai.  They "showed reverence for the Lord".. and they obeyed Him.  "So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerbbabel.. the governor.. and the spirit of Joshua.. the high priest.. and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God." 

They considered their ways.. and turned around. Then.. God poured out His Spirit on them. 

Father, may we also examine our ways.. may we turn around from pursuing our own wants and desires.. and trying to do things in our own time with our own will.. and turn back to You.. We seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. We worship You. We honor Your Name and desire Your will. Fill us with Your Spirit .. stir us up, Lord!   May we do all that You have called us to do.. to the glory of Your Name. In Jesus' name we pray.Amen. 

James 5:9-20  "Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing right at the door."  

 James knows all about complaining.. grumbling.. holding a grudge... He and his brothers grumbled against Jesus... until He visited them after He rose again.  We know from John 7: 3-5 that James and his brothers did not believe in Jesus, but after the resurrection they were among the people in the upper room with the disciples. ( Acts 1:14)   Meeting the resurrected Savior should change our attitudes towards others.. James, himself, is our example!

 James advises his readers to look to the "prophets" as examples of "suffering and patience".  They suffered and endured.  They are evidence that the Lord is "full of compassion and is merciful."  Keep trusting. 

He also teaches us to not take oaths but to just be honest in what you do and say.. to pray,.. to sing praises.. to reach out to those  in leadership to pray and anoint you in the name of the Lord. 

James talks about the "prayer of faith".  Pray like Elijah did.. earnestly. 

And, finally, James gives an exhortation for us to help those of our fellowship who might "stray from the truth".. we have a responsibility to one another.. to turn them back.. to love him or her enough to let them know that you see what's going on and help them to turn back to the truth. 

There is a definite sequence to these exhortations.. which I need to make personal.. 

 I need  patience and strength of heart.. waiting on the Lord. 

 I need to repent of my grudges and complaints against other christians.. 

I need to learn from the prophets how to endure in suffering.. 

I  need to speak clearly and honestly. 

I need to pray! Fervently.. 

I  need to seek help for myself  when  I need it.

And then.. I can  help..come alongside my fellow believer who is struggling with sin... and turn them back to the truth. 

Father, do this work in me.. in us.. all who are Your children and desire to walk in Your ways.  Fill us with that godly wisdom that comes from above and with faith that is unwavering.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

 James 5 :1-8

Verses 1-6 address those who are rich... but do not walk in godly wisdom.  These people hoard their wealth.. so much so that it is "rotted" and "moth-eaten".  Their gold and silver is "rusted" or as the KJV says, "cankered".. corroded.  It has been hoarded and hidden away so long that it is not useful.  The "rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire."   This term "rust" indicates that these hoarded riches will turn poisonous.. like the venom of an asp.  

These rich people "have stored up treasures" in the last days..  They have fattened themselves at the expense of others.. and have not realized that the time is coming when they will be judged for their actions. 

James says that those who used others to do the work but refused to pay them for it, would be condemned, because the "Lord of the Sabaoth" hears the cries of the oppressed.  The Lord of the Sabaoth- the Lord of the armies... will answer the cries of those treated so horribly.   The Lord opposes those who live in luxury while trampling down the innocent and righteous. 

James then turns back to the believers.. "Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord."  Don't lose heart.  Just like a farmer waits for his crop to grow until it is fully ready to be harvested.. the Lord is waiting for us, so "You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (v8) 

We can hear the echo of James 1:2-4 " Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. " 

Yes, the rich unbelievers have acted sinfully and defrauded you. But, God will use even this for your good.. believe it and rejoice in it!  Be patient and watch to see what the Lord of the Sabaoth will do.  He will lead His army to your side.  His coming is "at hand". 

Father in heaven,  thank You for all that You have provided for us. Thank You for our daily bread. Thank You for hearing our prayers when we have been treated badly.  There are many today, Lord, who are being oppressed and defrauded. There are many who are persecuted for Your Name's sake.  Hear their cries Lord of the Sabaoth.. and come to them. Help them to be patient and to rejoice in what You are doing and will do.  Help us to be faithful.. and generous.. and truthful.  All that we have comes from You and belongs to You.. we pray for godly wisdom to use what we have been given in the ways that You intend it to be used.  Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!  Father,  help us to be patient as we wait for Your coming.  May we have endurance and be made complete as You work in our lives.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.