Exposition by Max A Forsythe
The
Reformer's Fire
Exposition by Max A Forsythe
As we read through this period of revival in the life of Israel we may well hope for our own time as well. As Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes the historic facts as we know them, we more and more appreciate the providential plan of God. At school, I have tried to stress to my students the importance of ideas in transforming society. I give them the model of a car without an engine. We name the car "history" and then discuss what makes history move. I can usually persuade them that the engine that powers history is philosophy. At least that explains the conflicts and wars that make history interesting.
However, what I cannot tell them about is the real throne behind the power. But thankfully I am not limited in the midst of Christ's Church. However, our appreciation of God's providence and presence is completely dependent upon His grace in making His will known. In the process of this appreciation we may learn much about ourself and our needs.
To this end we turn now to chapters five and six in Zechariah. We begin with our first lesson in verses one through four. Here is the larger than life scroll flying through the air. It would appear that half of the ten commandments are centered on each side and one commandment from both sides is applied. From these two we may remember a school policy which used to be in force at the University of Virginia.
The students were honor bound to the school pledge: "I will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do". A few years ago, the courts ordered that pledge to be discontinued because it was totally unrealistic in our century! Just like the Time magazine of a few weeks ago proclaimed "Everyone lies - honest". What the courts and Time didn't proclaim was the need for everyone to repent.
This call from the Spirit of God must come to all of his children to guarantee their salvation. You see all of God's elect must finally come to the conclusion that - yes, they are sinners. Wouldn't it be grand if like the Goodyear Blimp the attention of the world could be focused on the message of the scroll. But, as we see in this passage, the words of salvation for God's elect are a curse to those who are perishing.
How much to you appreciate knowing that you are indeed a sinner in the sight of our Holy & Righteous God? If you are willing to admit that you are sinful, then the next vision should give you comfort. In scene two of Zechariah's vision we have sin personified and shut up in a basket. Angelic creatures carry the basked far away from Israel to the symbolic worldly capital of Babylon.
The sense here is much like the cleansing of an environmental hazard. At our school, the head janitor spent much time and effort removing every ounce of asbestos from our buildings. Special training, special uniforms and special cartons had to be used to transport the contaminate as far away as possible. So it is with the contaminant of sin.
Once we realize the infectious sinful nature of our natural selves, we like Zechariah must be cleansed just as was Israel - by having our sins taken far far away by the grace of our Father in heaven. Yes, we know that in these scenes we begin to realize the cleansing process that brings us to salvation. But as we come to scene three we may better appreciate that the Lord's work in our hearts and minds has only just begun. For our whole life we must be guarded and protected as we labor and witness for His Son Jesus Christ. How little we appreciate the protracted labor on His part for our benefit.
In scene three of this passage we see the deployment of angelic hosts symbolized by the four chariot units. Just like our light horse cavalry troops scouting earlier in this prophecy, here we see the heavy armor of ancient chariots sent out to do the bidding of God. The Hebrew here is slightly difficult and the white horse unit may be following the black horse unit into the battles of the far north. The dappled horse unit heads south and the red horse unit is forgotten. Its purpose having no impact on the question at hand. The important question here has to do with the victory announced from the north. This victory gives the Spirit rest in that area just as Desert Storm gave us temporary relief in the Mid East.
From this passage we ought to realize the importance of the ongoing work of the Spirit on our behalf. Whenever we get discouraged we ought to remember that he is indeed fighting our battles for us and even as we get caught in the return fire of Satan, God will indeed triumph.
We come now to the last scene of our text today. Here there is a prophetic hint of how the Lord has the final victory against death and Satan. Do you remember the hymn with the words "Crown Him with many crowns"? Well here the promised Branch who will build His own temple is to be crowned both Priest and King. Yes, there is a present promise from Zechariah for the rebuilding of the earthly temple. That Temple in time would be visited by our Christ on His way to the cross and His heavenly throne.
From there He has reigned on high while all those promised in verse fifteen assemble under the banner of His Covenant to build up the greater temple of Christ's eternal Church. As we are called in one by one we are each encouraged to give ourselves first to God and second to service in His Name. As we obey God's call to salvation and service we may count on His will being accomplished from the promise in the last phrase.
Will we be diligent in obeying the Lord our God? If we will, then we may more earnestly hope for revival in our time. May revial come quickly to us and through us to the world around.
Amen.
Resources Used:
Baldwin, Joyce G. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Zechariah.
Bently, Michael. Welwyn Commentary: Building for God's Glory.
Boice, James M. The Minor Prophets: An Expositional Commentary.
Lloyd-Jones, Martyn. Revival.
Places Preached:
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America)
Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213
Joel05a 01 November 92
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