Introduction: The prophet Haggai was called by God to encourage the Jews who had returned from Babylon to finish the work on the temple. Two months after Haggai commenced his work, God called Zechariah to a prophetic ministry that would join in that encouragement. God allowed these two prophets to work side by side, to encourage and comfort His people as the 2nd Temple was being constructed. The work had begun several years before, but it stalled due to outside opposition and internal discouragement. God sent His Word, through these men, to see the work finished. It was 520 B.C., the 8th month of the 2nd year of Darius when Zechariah’s ministry started. Three months later, on the 24th day of the 11th month (Shebat), Zechariah received these eight visions in the night. Eight visions on the same night, each one contributing something unique for the encouragement of the people — that they would know with that God would be with them, working on their behalf as they obeyed His Word and completed the temple (vs.3). The verses we come to tonight reveal the first vision. This vision is one that we could say serves as a general overview of what God is communicating — the visions that follow give more details about this initial message. In fact, we will see that these eight visions have an organization about them. The 1st goes with the 8th. The 2nd goes with the 7th. And on it goes. And in that kind of organization what is at the center (the 4th and 5th) represents the theological emphasis, which in this case would be the cleansing of sin (4) and the reception of the Holy Spirit for their work (5). All of this is followed by a sign, a coronation that speaks of the crowning of the Priest-King, the Messiah (6:9-15). In this initial message, the main point is unmistakable. God has not forgotten His people, not abandoned His people, not ignored their plight, not forgotten His plans for them, not ceased to love them or defend them (despite their massive failure). In the future they would see God’s favor upon them in a way that speaks of GRACE, of God returning to them, just as He said that He would do in verse 3. But in these messages communicated by these visions, there is a viewpoint that extends beyond their moment. Zechariah will be used by God to speak of the Messiah. He is used by God to speak of the end of the age and the glorious plans that God will fulfill in His Son. And in hearing what God says to these people, we are reminded how God has always dealt with His people. I. THE VISION RECEIVED (vs.7-8) Right away the challenge for the people of God is on display in Zechariah’s account. The fact that the time stamp on what happened is measured by its location within the reign of Darius a — a foreign King —a Persian king. The timing of this message is also indicated by the name of the 11th month, a name borrowed from Babylon. Both things remind that the people are under foreign rule. They are still, in a sense, in captivity, even as they return to their homeland. THIS WORD IS COMING TO A PEOPLE WHO FEEL DEFEATED. THIS WORD IS COMING TO A PEOPLE STILL TASTING THE EFFECTS OF THEIR DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD. BUT THIS WORD COMING TO LIFT THEM UP AND COMFORT THEM AND MOVE THEM TO ACTION. We are also reminded that from the very beginning God chose to communicate with His people in a variety of ways. THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD COMING TO ZECHARIAH (vs.7) THE WORD CAME IN THE FORM OF A VISION (vs.8a) Hebrews 1:1 (LSB) 1 God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, This was not a dream. Zechariah was awake and yet put into a state in which God could communicate to him visually. God is no longer communicating through visions, but God HAS SPOKEN, and by what God has spoken GOD IS SPEAKING. And the way we access the voice of God is in the completed Scriptures. GOD’S LOVE AND CONCERN FOR HIS PEOPLE IS TESTIFIED TO BY THE VERY FACT THAT HE IS BRINGING HIS WORD TO THEM THROUGH ZECHARIAH.