“I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. Zechariah 1:8
I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:7-13, which the commentary outlines as the first of four divisions for the text vv1:7-2:13 (1:7-13, 1:14-17, 1:18-21, 2:1-13) - as this first division is entitled We Can Depend on the Lord’s Overcoming Comfort by the commentary. The commentary describes vv7-13 as a vision from the Lord: "Because God loves His people with a jealous, unfailing love, we can depend on His comfort, even when our enemies appear to be prospering and the consequences for our past failures linger. Through the Angel of the Lord, God extended overcoming comfort to Israel in four significant ways in this part of Zechariah’s vision:"
- God shows concern for His people
- God intercedes on behalf of His people
- God encourages His people
- God is intimately present in the lives of His people
V8 is portrayed as a messianic prophecy of how "the Angel of the Lord 'stood among the myrtle trees in the valley'." The commentary winds down its description of the text by sharing: "[d]uring Israel’s time of physical weakness, emotional anguish, and spiritual discouragement, the Son of God was in the midst of God’s people, as He is now[.]" We are referred to Psalm 34:18. Take comfort in how God is in our midst!
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being with me and how I can never be separated from Your love - I am not deserving of my salvation, nor Your love. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouse to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
