God’s covenant restoration work by His presence and His Spirit, not human strength (Zechariah 1:7–4:14)

Zechariah 1:7–4:14 aim: God Himself will return to dwell with His people, restore them, cleanse them, empower them, and establish His kingdom through His chosen Son, the coming Priest-King.

The message the Lord gave Zechariah begins with remembrance and moves toward repentance (Zechariah 1:1-6). After this call to return, the book shifts to a series of night visions. Night visions can feel strange, yet we often sense why they come. They may rise from stress, a difficult decision, or pressure from work. They may reflect anticipation about an approaching change, whether welcome or painful. Some dreams stay with us. They compel expression in stories, paintings, or music.

My father-in-law is a gifted painter. I enjoy spending time with him and hearing the stories behind his images. He has a striking painting in his kitchen of a courtyard door, partly open. When he was recovering from a stroke, he asked me what I saw in it. That opened a conversation about Jesus as the gate and the good shepherd, and about the One who stands at the door and knocks (John 10:7-21, Rev 3:19-21).

The heart of Zechariah's dreams come together in this statement from the Lord in Zechariah 2:10-11, 

The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you.

A) Zechariah vision of a Man among Myrtle trees, reveals God's loving relationship with his people.

7) 24 day, 11th month, Shebat, 2nd year Darius word of the Lord to Zechariah Berekiah Iddo

8) vison man on red horse, man myrtle trees in ravine, behind red, brown, white horses

9-10) asked what, angel "I'll show you", man explained "ones Lord sent throughout earth"

11) they reported "whole world at rest and peace"

12-13) angel "LORD almighty, how long withhold mercy ,angry 70 years" LORD spoke kind, comforting words:

14-17) I'm very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, angry nations feel secure - return Jerusalem + mercy, rebuilt with the measuring line, overflow with prosperity, LORD comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.

• “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion” communicates God’s fierce, protective, covenant-bound commitment to His people. The word “jealous” here does not carry modern insecurity or envy. It reflects covenant loyalty like you see in Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24, Joshua 24:19, and Isaiah 42:8. It signals love that refuses to give up on the relationship.
• God’s jealousy is protective. It means He defends what belongs to Him. Jerusalem and Zion represent His people, His worship, and His purposes. Jealousy means He will guard them against threats and restore them after discipline. (see Hebrews 12, literally see Zion with faith).
• Measuring line is the tool used by builders to mark out boundaries, dimensions, and final plans. You see it in Isaiah 28, Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 40, and Zechariah 2. It always implies a deliberate act of building, not guesswork.
• Prosperity = covenant restoration, communal flourishing and fulfilled people - not just material wealth, but shalom (wholeness, peace, right relationship)
• Biblical Prosperity: God's Revealed Character (Zechariah 1:17)
  

B) Four horns, four craftsmen

18-19) Vision of horns, Angel "horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem"

20-21) Lord showed four craftsmen, Lord, "Horns kept head down, craftsmen to terrify, throw down horns of nations that went against Judah"

C) Man with Measuring Line

2:1-5) Man with measuring line, how long is Jerusalem, not walls # of people, LORD will be fire around it, glory within

• 5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
• The Lord is a protective wall of fire, light and purification makes us glorious (Zechariah 2:5)
  

6-9) LORD, "come Zion, flee north/Babylon, scattered you four winds, Glorious One sent me against nations who plundered you/apple of his eye, slaves/I will plunder them then know LORD Almighty sent me"

• Apple of his eye frequently used in the Old Testament to signify extreme care and affection, appearing in Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 17:8, Proverbs 7:2, and Zechariah 2:8.
• "LORD Almighty says: 'After the Glorious One has sent me" Zechariah 2:8
  

10-13) Glad Daughter Zion, LORD coming to live among you, many nations join LORD, become my people, Know LORD sent me, Be still before LORD all mankind, roused himself from holy dwelling

D) Clean Garments For the Hight Priest, Gold lampstand never ending oil

3:1-4) Vision of Joshua high priest, with angel and Satan to accuse him. LORD rebukes Satan, this man snatched from fire - angel "Take off his filthy clothes. See, I have taken away you sin, I will put fine garments on you."

• Walking in the light: see the dirt in our lives, confess and conquer sin

5) clean turban on his head, clothed him angel of LORD stood by (Lev 8:1-9)

Helmet of Salvation: Guarding the Mind

6-10) LORD to Joshua, walk in obedience, requirements, symbolic of servant Branch, stone seven eyes LORD Almight, I will remove sin in a single day, everyone generous to neighbor

God becomes like clothing to me (Job 30:18, Matthew 16:24-28)

4:1-6) gold lampstand 7 lamps, two olive trees - not by might or power but my Spirit says LORD Almighty

7-14) olive trees are anointed to bring oil and serve the Lord of earth Zerubbabel governor, Joshua high priest. 

• Symbolism of Oil: The olive trees emptying golden oil through pipes represent the continuous supply of the Holy Spirit needed for service.