Exposition by Max A Forsythe
The
Reformer's Fire
Exposition by Max A Forsythe
Yesterday on a trip to Medina I ran across a natural phenomena that I have seen only once before in my life. We literally drove across the boundary of a storm front. Once going north and a few hours later coming back south. One minute Jerry and I were in a cold but pleasant sunshine and the very next we were under the proverbial storm cloud with its light snow and sleet. Coming home we reversed the transition. Did I say natural phenomena? I should rather say God's providential control of what we assume to be nature.
The storm yesterday, of course, was mild and the traffic barely slowed down. But later this winter we can be certain that God's divinely appointed storms will test our patience and interfere with our ability to do what we want. Hopefully we may avoid one of those nasty blizzards that have in the past shut us up for several days on end. Do you know how unnatural it seems to Americans to have to spend three or four straight days at home. Let alone being without the commonly expected comforts of heat, electricity, phones and running water!
These common creature comforts however were unknown up to this century. Why many of my students can't even remember being without MTV! You know, back in the real dark ages. Well, if you want to know about some real miscomforts you should consider the rebuilding project at Jerusalem in the time of the Restoration. Jerusalem as you well know in that time would have made South Florida look like paradise. Back then, there were no civilized organizations to come to the Jews rescue.
The captives had simply been given their freedom hundreds of miles from home. A home that few of them had seen except those too aged to travel. We have a sense in verses four to five that the people will have to look forward to a normal ordering of generations on streets yet to be rebuilt. In spite of the lack of any viable infrastructure and economy which we hear from Zechariah's report, the prophet is charged to share the words of the Lord with the people.
First of all, for those living in the temporary poverty of ruined Jerusalem, God assures them that He is jealous for Zion. And being jealous He promises to return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem once again. By His sovereign grace He will accomplish many things for Zion's sake. In our day, of course we consider the New Testament Church to be spiritual Zion. And just as assuredly as the people of Zechariah's time put their hands to the material labor of rebuilding Temple and city, we are called to rebuild the spiritual Church and contemporary culture of our day.
The promise of a restored Church in our day may seem just as marvelous to us as the promise in verse six may have been to Zechariah's city. No matter, the Lord promises to save many people from both east and west and to bring them back to Jerusalem. Here the prophet slips into the distant future anticipating the coming of the gentiles to faith in Christ.
In the next verse, nine, he turns from the future to the immediate past. He reminds the people, now that the rebuilding project has begun, there is the beginning of a construction economy. Teams of oxen and horses, along with men have been hired. There is work being done and the economic hopes of the poor have been rekindled. In the midst of this encouragement the Lord promises to relent from his prior dealings. The Lord promises renewed vitality for the land, the seeds, the vines, the crops and promises to provide the essential moisture.
The storm of jealousy entered into by the people of Israel when they sinned is about to be ended with the return of pleasant skies. And this is the Lord's doing, He has sovereignly decided to end the miseries of Zion because of His jealous love. Those who have sinned long, long ago are now gone. His righteous remnant, covered by His grace will be allowed to rebuild the earthly temple in anticipation of the coming glory of the presence of God's only Son Jesus Christ.
But, His coming and the blessed hope will be somewhat delayed. Just as yesterday, as Jerry and I hurried home, we found a two hour traffic jam to plod through. An inch at a time the nine miles to the nearest exit were covered. And so it is with our anticipation of Christ's second coming even as Zechariah's people looked forward to His first coming.
In the meantime, the Lord has some instructions for us. There are things He would have us doing. The list begins in verse fifteen. "Do not be afraid". Remember our times are in His hands, even as they have always been. Second, we are to speak the truth within and without the Church. Third, we are to render true and sound judgment in the courts. This certainly is a crying need since every imaginable obstacle is put in the way of honest settlement of cases gone crazy with irresponsibility, laziness and sheer overload.
Fourth, we are to avoid the worldly plots against one another. Here I wonder if the meaning excludes our participation in some worldly professions and practices? Of course we must be careful in identifying plots and practicioners of such plotting! The conservative Christians have been somewhat irresponsible in this century for fighting the wrong battles for the wrong reasons. Certainly we must oppose evolution, psychology, materialism and other dangerous worldly games.
But, our major purpose is to provide a positive witness in the place of those myths and games. Our purpose is not as some conclude to continually invest our time, our wealth and our venom against society. No our purpose is higher, it is to joyfully celebrate what our Lord has done for us and in our very midst. Why else would people be attracted to Zion's holy hill - even Christ's Church?
Will it not be because, we like these promised Gentiles have laid hold of the hem of Christ's robe because we well know by God's grace that He is the way to God Himself. And even as we have laid hold of that hem, so may others come from many peoples and nations to entreat of the Lord as well. But, how will they know that they ought to do this and come before the throne of heaven? Is it not because it is we who in our day are charged with the rebuilding of spiritual Zion? Is it not the reflection of God's glory to be specially found in our praise and thanksgiving?
May we learn to give such praise and thanksgiving so that the worldly may be encouraged to leave their clouds of sin and despair behind them. May we invite the storm tossed, the sinners and the rest into the bright sunlight of grace given to us by Jesus Christ. May we also pray that any darkening clouds in our time be dispersed and may the revivial of the Holy Spirit come again just as He was given in other times and places.
Resources Used:
Baldwin, Joyce G. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Zechariah.
Bently, Michael. Welwyn Commentary: Building for God's Glory.
Boice, James Montgomery. The Minor Prophets
Lloyd-Jones, Martyn. Revival.
Places Preached:
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America)
Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213
Zec08a 08 November 92
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