Day 210 – Zechariah: Introduction
“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt. I will remove the battle chariots from Israel and the warhorses from Jerusalem. I will destroy all the weapons used in battle, and your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:9-10 NLT
The future – that vast, uncharted sea of the unknown, holding joy or terror, comfort or pain, love or loneliness. Some people fear the days to come, wondering what evils lurk in the shadows; others consult seers and future-telling charlatans, trying desperately to discover the future’s secrets. But tomorrow’s story is known only to God and sometimes to those special messengers called prophets, to whom God revealed a chapter or two.
The primary task of the appointed and anointed prophets was to proclaim the word of the Lord, pointing out sin, explaining its consequences, and calling people to repentance and obedience. Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, and Amos stand with scores of others who faithfully delivered God’s message despite rejection, ridicule, and persecution. And at times they were given prophetic visions foretelling coming events – not just applicable to the nation of God, but for the whole world.
Nestled near the end of the Old Testament, in a collection known as the Minor Prophets, is the book of Zechariah. As one of three exilic prophets, along with Haggai and Malachi, he ministered to the small remnant of Jews who had returned to Judah to rebuild the Temple and their nation.
It’s clear to see, as you study Zechariah, that God knows and controls the future. We may never understand more than a moment ahead, but we can be secure if we trust and have faith in Him. Zechariah will help to strengthen your faith and place your hope in God for the future.
Prayer: Father, as we venture into Zechariah, please give us a heart of understanding for the prophetic message outlining the future coming of King Jesus. Thank You for affirming that our strength and hope lie in You, and we do not need to worry about tomorrow. Amen.
