Zechariah

Zechariah 1:3 “Therefore say to them, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts.”

The, therefore, refers to the fact that God was very angry with His people. He sent them away into captivity and in captivity, they have remained for seventy years. But that time is coming to an end. God wants His people back. He wants them in the Holy City, Jerusalem and He wants them to prosper. However, it is necessary to remind them of why they are in captivity in the first place. Many of them have never seen Jerusalem or the Holy Land. God wants them to return but they have to make the move. You come to me and I will come to you is the Lord’s message.

Zechariah will experience many visions of the effort of God to bring the captives back. The future is dim for those who oppose this action of God and there will be those who do. The prophet is reminded that God will come with mercy if the people return to Jerusalem and to God. God calls them to flee the land where they are and come back home to Him. God promises to make it difficult for their enemies but easy for them. He wants them back in His care where He can show His glory among them. The exiles are being offered another chance.

Task for Today: Do you like the idea of a second chance God? If you are not totally abnormal you have or will find yourself in need of such a savior. Sin has taken you captive but God calls you to return. He will make it easy for you to come back. You too, need to flee the land where you are and re-enter the Promised Land. Like the wayward son in the parable, you need to rise up and go home to your father. If you have already done that then stay where you are and let God be a wall of fire around you.