Out
of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow,
out of him every oppressor together.
(Zechariah 10: 4)
Introduction.
I am so pleased to be a member of a loving church fellowship that truly believes in the inspiration the authority the clarity, necessity and sufficiency of the Bible.
Let us together look briefly today at one the great prophetical books – Zechariah.
The background: (Zechariah 4:6-10) Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice.
Prophets and preachers bring truth and encouragement from the LORD.
Prime
mover who controls direction of biblical prophecy
The person who is the sole reason for prophesies is our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is the cause the centre and the conclusion of every prophecy in the Word of God. Indeed Jesus is the conception - cause the centre and continuing power of creation and the universe including earth sun moon and the millions of swirling galaxies which dance in harmony in the shimmering eternal heavens. Each and every component of the cosmos He created for His own pleasure.
Jesus has a love of colour too and so throughout the divine creation canvas we can enjoy the beautiful Colours of the Trinity. There are many sides, many facets of the Saviour we can embrace and enjoy in our Christian lives. Our personal redemption in Jesus Christ is filled with holiness and happiness. Trust and obedience are the twin avenues of blessing. There is joy in serving Jesus.
Personal
prayer mixes with bright and dark colours of prophecy.
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
Zechariah zooms in on the need and on the problem.
Look to the Infinite not the idols. As it was at that time, so it is today
For the idols have spoken vanity and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
Mine anger was kindled against
the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his
flock the house of
Frightened lambs and sheep made as mighty fearless battle horses the Lord makes the weak strong) God will visit His flock in mercy and make each one instead of timid sheep to be a war horse, decked out for battle.
From within the people themselves - not foreigners/unbelievers - from within the people of God would national leader’s also military leaders be called. The weak would become strong the timid would become triumphant. This is happening here in our church and in FEM
Foundation stones corner stones,
pins. Men are chosen on which things are suspended to support the work of God.
Suspended and sustained (self –sustaining energy and resources of the
Promises
given and promises received
Spiritual blessings promised under figurative allusions to earthly plenty. Seasonable rain is a great mercy, which we ask of God when there is need of it, and we trust for it to come. In our prayers ask for mercies in their proper time. The Lord would make bright clouds, and give showers of rain. This is an exhortation to seek the influences of the Holy Spirit, in faith and by prayer, through which the blessings held forth in the
promises are obtained and enjoyed.
The prophet shows the folly of turning to idols, as their fathers had done. The Lord visited the remnant of His flock/people in mercy, and was about to renew their courage and strength for conflict and victory. Every situation is to us what God makes it to be. Every one raised to support the nation, as a corner-stone does the building, or to unite those that differ, as nails join the different timbers, all must come from the Lord; and those called to overcome their enemies, must have strength and success from Him. This may be applied to the Lord Jesus Christ; to Him we must look to rise up people to unite, support, and defend His believing church and His plan and purpose. He will answer as we ask, seek and knock.
Jesus is our Battle Bow.
He takes frightened lambs and sheep as we have seen in Zechariah
and makes them mighty battle
horses and chargers for the church and for the
He has defeated sin with salvation
He has defeated self with sanctification
He has defeated terror with triumph
He has defeated death with eternal life
He has defeated hell with heaven.
Frank Rowley