Return to the Lord: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Zechariah 1

Executive Summary ✨

Zechariah 1, a potent blend of prophetic rebuke and divine reassurance, serves as a clarion call for spiritual renewal. The chapter opens with a direct address, urging the Israelites to turn away from the sins of their fathers and return to the Lord, lest they suffer the same fate. This call to repentance is immediately followed by the prophet’s vision of horsemen patrolling the earth, a symbolic representation of God’s active involvement in the affairs of humanity and His unwavering concern for Jerusalem. This vision, filled with potent imagery, assures the people of God’s watchful eye and the eventual restoration of His favor. The core message of Return to the Lord is not one of unyielding judgment, but of an invitation to redemption, highlighting the enduring mercy and providential care that define God’s relationship with His people. We, too, must heed this call, examining our lives and turning wholeheartedly towards the Lord.

Zechariah 1 sets the stage for the entire book, a book teeming with hope and promise. This chapter, a poignant invitation to Return to the Lord, encapsulates the themes of repentance, divine judgment, and the promise of restoration, offering a timeless message for all who seek a deeper relationship with God. The prophet’s vision of the horsemen provides a powerful image of God’s active presence in the world, ensuring that He is both aware of our struggles and committed to our deliverance. The message rings true today, urging us to examine our own hearts and align our lives with God’s will.

Commentary Sections

Zechariah 1:1 – A Prophetic Mandate

“In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying…” (KJV)
“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying…” (NKJV)

This verse establishes the historical context: the second year of King Darius of Persia (around 520 BC). The rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem had begun, but progress was slow, and the people were discouraged. Zechariah’s prophecy aims to reignite their faith and zeal. The dating is critical because it situates the prophecy within a specific historical moment of rebuilding and renewal. It also emphasizes the reliability of prophecy; it comes at a specific time to address specific needs.

The prophet’s lineage is emphasized, tracing him back to Iddo, indicating a prophetic heritage. This lineage likely bolstered Zechariah’s credibility. The mention of “the word of the Lord” is not merely a formulaic introduction; it underscores the divine origin of the message. It’s not Zechariah’s own opinion, but God’s own voice speaking through him. The Coptic Orthodox tradition emphasizes the importance of apostolic succession and the continuity of divine revelation. Just as Zechariah was rooted in a prophetic lineage, we, too, are rooted in the Apostolic tradition, receiving the same word of God through the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Application: We must recognize the importance of historical context and prophetic lineage in understanding God’s Word. We are called to listen to the voice of God speaking to us through the Scriptures and the Church, allowing it to guide our lives.

Zechariah 1:2-3 – Turn From Your Evil Ways

“The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.” (KJV)
“The LORD has been very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.’” (NKJV)

The Lord’s displeasure with the fathers serves as a stark warning. Their disobedience led to the destruction of the First Temple and their exile to Babylon. This is not merely historical; it’s a principle. Sin has consequences, and God’s justice demands accountability. The word “displeased” here carries a weight of divine anger and sorrow. The repetition of “Lord of hosts” underscores God’s absolute authority and power. He is not just a local deity, but the sovereign ruler of all creation.

The call to “Turn ye unto me” is an invitation to repentance and a return to covenant fidelity. It’s not just a superficial change, but a radical redirection of the heart. The promise “I will turn unto you” is a manifestation of God’s grace. He doesn’t demand perfection before offering His forgiveness; He responds to even the slightest inclination towards repentance. This encapsulates the essence of God’s mercy, ever ready to embrace the repentant sinner. The Coptic Orthodox Church emphasizes the sacrament of repentance and confession as a means of receiving God’s forgiveness and reconciliation.

St. Athanasius, in *De Incarnatione* (Περὶ Ἐνανθρωπήσεως), writes about God’s desire for our salvation: “Διὰ τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ λόγος τοῦ Πατρὸς ἦλθε πρὸς ἡμᾶς, ἵνα ἡμεῖς πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐπανέλθωμεν.” (For this reason, the Word of the Father came to us, that we might return to Him.) This reflects the core of the verse – God initiates our return to Him.

Spiritual Application: We must recognize the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance. God is always ready to forgive us if we turn to Him with a sincere heart. The sacrament of confession is a powerful tool for receiving His grace and experiencing His forgiveness.

Zechariah 1:4-6 – Heed the Prophets

“Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord. Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.” (KJV)
“Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.”’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the LORD. “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Yet surely My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?” So they returned and said: “Just as the LORD of hosts determined to do to us, according to our ways and according to our deeds, so He has dealt with us.” (NKJV)

This section emphasizes the importance of heeding the prophets. The previous generation ignored the warnings and suffered the consequences. The question “Your fathers, where are they?” serves as a sobering reminder of mortality and the fleeting nature of earthly existence. The prophets themselves are also mortal (“do they live forever?”), but their words endure. God’s word is eternal and unchanging.

The phrase “did they not overtake your fathers?” underscores the inescapable nature of divine judgment. God’s words will ultimately come to pass, whether we heed them or not. The acknowledgement that “Just as the Lord… determined to do to us… so He has dealt with us” signifies a moment of collective repentance and acceptance of divine justice. This is not a fatalistic acceptance, but rather a recognition of God’s righteous judgment and an opportunity for a fresh start.

The Coptic Orthodox Church holds the prophets in high esteem, recognizing them as divinely inspired messengers who prepared the way for Christ. We read their words in our lectionary, and we recognize them as an integral part of our spiritual heritage.

Spiritual Application: We must learn from the mistakes of the past and heed the warnings of the prophets. God’s Word is eternal and unchanging, and it will ultimately come to pass. We must also recognize God’s justice and accept His judgments with humility and repentance.

Zechariah 1:7-11 – The Vision of the Horsemen

“Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.” (KJV)
“On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, “I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the ravine; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white.” Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.” And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they answered the Angel of the LORD, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and indeed all the earth is resting quietly.” (NKJV)

The vision begins with another precise date, grounding the prophecy in historical reality. The “man riding on a red horse” is likely an angelic being, representing God’s presence and power. The myrtle trees, often associated with joy and blessing, provide a contrasting image to the desolation of Jerusalem. The presence of red, sorrel (speckled), and white horses suggests different aspects of God’s judgment and mercy. The horse colors themselves could also symbolize conflict (red), mixture of good and bad (sorrel), and purity (white).

The question “O my lord, what are these?” reveals Zechariah’s humility and his dependence on divine revelation. He doesn’t assume to know the meaning of the vision; he seeks guidance from God. The angel’s explanation clarifies that these horsemen are sent by God to survey the earth. Their report that “all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest” is initially unsettling. It suggests that the nations surrounding Jerusalem are at peace, while Jerusalem remains desolate. This creates a sense of injustice and unanswered prayers.

The “Angel of the Lord,” standing among the myrtle trees, is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, a common interpretation in Coptic Orthodox theology. This highlights Christ’s active role in the affairs of humanity, even before His incarnation. The description of the location, in the bottom of a ravine with myrtle trees, gives us insight into the terrain near Jerusalem. Myrtle trees were prevalent in this region.

Spiritual Application: We must cultivate a spirit of humility and dependence on God, seeking His guidance in all things. We must also be aware of God’s active presence in the world, even when things appear to be at rest. The image of the horsemen reminds us that God is always watching and working, even when we cannot see it.

Zechariah 1:12-17 – God’s Compassion and Restoration

“Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.” (KJV)
“Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said, “O LORD of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” And the LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped persecute them.”’ Therefore thus says the LORD: “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of hosts, “And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.”’ “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem.”’” (NKJV)

The angel’s intercession on behalf of Jerusalem reveals God’s compassion. The reference to “threescore and ten years” (seventy years) recalls the duration of the Babylonian exile. The Lord’s response with “good words and comfortable words” is a sign of impending restoration. This highlights the power of intercessory prayer. The Coptic Orthodox Church places great emphasis on the intercession of the saints and angels.

God’s “jealousy” for Jerusalem is not a selfish possessiveness, but a passionate love and concern for His people. It’s a reflection of His covenant relationship with them. His displeasure with the nations “at ease” highlights their cruelty and their excessive exploitation of Israel’s weakness. The phrase “I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction” underscores the difference between God’s righteous judgment and the nations’ malicious intent. God used the exile as a chastisement, but the nations took it as an opportunity for unchecked aggression.

The promise of restoration – “I am returned unto Jerusalem with mercies” – is a central theme of Zechariah’s prophecy. The rebuilding of the Temple (“my house shall be built in it”) and the expansion of the city (“a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem”) symbolize the renewal of God’s covenant and the restoration of Israel’s prosperity. The repeated affirmation “The Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem” reinforces the certainty of God’s promises.

Spiritual Application: We must never lose hope, even in the midst of suffering. God’s compassion endures forever, and He will ultimately restore us. We must also recognize the importance of intercessory prayer and the power of God’s promises. We can trust that He will fulfill His word in our lives.

Key Reflections on Zechariah 1

Here are some key reflections on the themes of repentance, divine presence, and restoration found in Zechariah 1:

• ✨ The Urgency of Repentance: Zechariah’s initial call to repentance is not merely a suggestion, but a vital directive. It underscores the need to constantly examine our lives and turn away from sin. This is at the heart of spiritual growth, as https://dohost.us offers a supportive community.
• 💡 God’s Active Presence: The vision of the horsemen paints a vivid picture of God’s active involvement in the world. He is not a distant observer, but a caring and watchful God who is intimately involved in the affairs of humanity.
• 📖 The Power of Intercession: The angel’s intercession on behalf of Jerusalem highlights the importance of prayer. We are called to intercede for others, especially those who are suffering.
• 📜 The Certainty of God’s Promises: Despite the hardships faced by the Israelites, Zechariah assures them of God’s unwavering commitment to restore them. This serves as a reminder that God’s promises are reliable, even when circumstances seem bleak.
• 🕊️ Divine Justice and Mercy: The chapter balances themes of judgement against sin, and the offer of forgiveness and compassion. We see that God does not overlook our shortcomings, but He also offers grace to those who seek Him.
• 🕊️ Hope for the Future: The promise of Jerusalem’s restoration provides hope for a brighter future. It reminds us that God is able to turn our sorrows into joy and our defeats into victories.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Zechariah 1:

• Q: Why is the historical context so important in understanding Zechariah 1?

  A: The historical context provides a specific framework for understanding the prophecy. Knowing the date (second year of Darius) and the circumstances (rebuilding of the Temple) helps us understand the specific challenges faced by the Israelites and the relevance of Zechariah’s message.

• Q: Who is the “Angel of the Lord” in Zechariah 1?

  A: In Coptic Orthodox theology, the “Angel of the Lord” is often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. This highlights Christ’s active role in salvation history and His eternal existence.

• Q: What does the vision of the horsemen symbolize?

  A: The horsemen symbolize God’s active presence and power in the world. They are sent by God to survey the earth and to execute His purposes. The different colors of the horses may represent different aspects of God’s judgment and mercy.

• Q: How can we apply the message of Zechariah 1 to our lives today?

  A: We can apply the message of Zechariah 1 by heeding the call to repentance, seeking God’s guidance in all things, interceding for others in prayer, and trusting in God’s promises. We can also find hope and encouragement in the knowledge that God is actively involved in our lives and that He will ultimately restore us.

Conclusion

Zechariah 1 is a powerful call to Return to the Lord, reminding us of the importance of repentance, the enduring presence of God, and the promise of restoration. The vision of the horsemen is a vivid reminder that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, watching over us and working towards our salvation. We must heed the call to turn away from our sins and return to Him with a sincere heart, trusting in His mercy and believing in His promises. Just as God restored Jerusalem, He is able to restore us, renewing our lives and fulfilling His purposes in us. By embracing repentance, trusting in God’s unwavering presence, and actively seeking His guidance, we can experience the fullness of His grace and walk in the path of righteousness, fulfilling our divine calling.

Tags

Zechariah, Zechariah 1, Coptic Orthodox, Repentance, Divine Judgment, Restoration, Angel of the Lord, Horsemen, Old Testament, Biblical Commentary

Meta Description

A Coptic Orthodox commentary on Zechariah 1. Explore the call to Return to the Lord, divine vision, and God’s promise of restoration with Patristic insights.