The Sweetness of the Lordship of GodThe Vision of the Man Standing in

the Myrtle Trees in the Glenn

Pastor Ed Riddick, February 2, 2014

Introduction

•Narnia

Introduction

•Narnia•When? Zechariah 1:7

I. Zechariah’s First Night Vision, 1:8

8 visions• 1st Vision – Man on a red horse, 1:7-17• 2nd Vision – 4 horns and 4 craftsmen, 1:18-21• 3rd Vision – The Surveyor, 2:1-13• 4th Vision – Cleansing of the High Priest, 3:1-10• 5th Vision – The gold lampstand & 2 olive trees,

4:1-14• 6th Vision – The flying scroll, 5:1-4• 7th Vision – The woman in a basket, 5:5-11• 8th Vision – The four chariots, 6:1-8

Thematic unity – concentric circlesA. 1st Vision – Man on a red horse, 1:7-17 universal omniscience of God

B. 2nd Vision – 4 horns & 4 craftsmen, 1:18-21 Judah’s relationship with world empires C. 3rd Vision – The Surveyor, 2:1-13 issues in Jerusalem D. 4th Vision – Cleansing of the High Priest, 3:1-10 D. 5th The gold lampstand & 2 olive trees, 4:1-14 Primary focus – temple and its leadership

C. 6th Vision – The flying scroll, 5:1-4B. 7th Vision – The woman in a basket, 5:5-11

A. 8th Vision – The four chariots, 6:1-8

I. Zechariah’s First Night Vision, 1:8

A. The SettingB. The People

II. Interpretation of the Vision, 1:9-15

A. More people

Our God reigns

• Acts 17:22-27• Daniel 2:20-23• Romans 8:28 “And we know that in

all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

II. Interpretation of the Vision, 1:9-15

A. More peopleB. The report

Isaiah 11:6 "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, an the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them." ESV

Genuine peace“The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. In English we call it peace, but it means far more than just peace of mind or ceasefire between enemies. In the Bible shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as the creator and savior opens doors and speaks welcome to the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things are supposed to be.” Cornelius Plantinga Jr

II. Interpretation of the Vision, 1:9-15

A. More peopleB. The reportC. Comforting Words of the Oracle of

God, 1:13-17

Applications

1. God faithfully loves his peopleHe disciplines his peopleHebrews 12:5-8 “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.”

Applications1. God faithfully loves his peopleBut he does, indeed have mercy…Psalm 103:9-17 “He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—“

Applications2. Even when it is dark the Lord is

present and He is at work on behalf of his people

Psalm 146:5-6 “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful forever.”

Applications3. The nations or leaders who forsake God had better beware – the judgment of God awaits your time.

Psalm 2