Rediscovering Jesus in the Prophets
Welcome back. Today we begin the eleventh book of the Minor Prophets—Zechariah. We’ll be reading the first five chapters.

I’ve had the privilege of hearing Sam Rotman, the world-renowned pianist. He’s led the Seder at our church, and we’ve gotten to know each other over the years. When he performs, he explains how he grew up as an Orthodox Jew, but while studying at The Juilliard School, he read the New Testament and understood that the scriptures he had memorized throughout his life all spoke about Jesus.

David Murray’s book, Jesus on Every Page, echoes this same idea, exploring Christ’s presence throughout the Old Testament, even in unexpected places.(1) There is no stronger example than the book of Zechariah.
A God Provoked, A People Restored
In these opening chapters, we see an angry God. Jonathan Edwards once wrote:
“The God that holds you over the pit of hell… is dreadfully provoked.”(2)
We see this anger in Zechariah 1:2–3, where God calls His people to return to Him. But we also see the promise of salvation. In Zechariah 1:6, the people acknowledge their wrongdoing. Repentance leads to renewal.

Then Zechariah sees a man mounted on a red horse (Zechariah 1:8). This same red horse appears in Revelation 6:4, symbolizing war and judgment. But here, the rider is under a myrtle tree—a small, fragrant, humble tree. Not a towering oak. It’s a reminder that God dwells with the lowly, not just the powerful(3).

Scholars believe the man among the myrtle trees is a pre-incarnate Christ—the Angel of the Lord, standing among the humble, ready to act(4).
Mercy After Judgment
For me, many things made more sense. We knew God used the Babylonians to bring judgment on Israel for their sins and idolatry. Still, it seemed like an awful punishment for those He loved.

In Zechariah 1:15, God says He was “only a little angry” with Israel, but the nations—Babylon, Edom, and others—“added to the calamity.” They went too far(5). They were relatives, but instead of helping, they plundered and killed. Now, He is ready to show mercy.

They had been in exile for seventy years, just as Isaiah and Jeremiah had foretold (cf. Isaiah 23:15; Jeremiah 25:11). Now is the time to restore them. In Zechariah 1:16, God shows them a measuring line—a symbol of His approval and intention to rebuild. It’s always comforting when you see God working in your plans. It affirms that you weren’t forcing your will on Him, but sensing His.

God assures them in Zechariah 1:17 that their towns will once again prosper.
Protection Then and Now
Prosperity can lead to envy, and envy often leads to animosity. God assures His people: He will protect them. That was true then, and it’s true in the end days. Nations may believe they should attack Israel. That would be a mistake. God is their shield, their wall, their fortress.

And when you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, He is all of that for you, too.
The Messiah Comes—and Comes Again
In Zechariah 2:10–11, we hear the promise of the Messiah’s first coming. John 1:14 fulfills this: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

There’s also the grafting in of the Gentiles, which Paul writes about in Romans 11:17–24. The Lord will unite many nations, and they will become His people, which is the inclusive promise of salvation.
My Favorite Verse Today
My favorite part of today’s reading was Zechariah 3:4. Joshua the high priest stands in filthy garments, a picture of our own righteousness (Isaiah 64:6). But God says, “Remove the filthy garments… I have taken away your sin and will clothe you with rich robes.”

Jesus doesn’t expect us to clean up our lives before coming to Him. He accepts us as we are. But He doesn’t leave us that way. He gives us new clothes, a new turban, and His righteousness for our filth(7)(8).
One Day That Changed Everything
He did this on the One day—that day when Jesus bore your sins and mine. He died for them and was buried, taking them to the grave. But He arose, bringing from the tomb new life, which He gives us.

Are you tired of your smelly, sticky, dirty life? Does it feel you scrub and clean and still can’t make a difference?

Reach out to Jesus. Ask Him to cleanse you. He is faithful—and He will do it.
📚 Footnotes (Chicago Style)

David Murray, Jesus on Every Page: 10 Simple Ways to Seek and Find Christ in the Old Testament (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2013).
Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, sermon delivered July 8, 1741.
BibleHub, “Zechariah 1:8 Commentaries,” accessed September 17, 2025, BibleHub.
BibleHub, “Zechariah 1:10 Commentaries,” accessed September 17, 2025, BibleHub.
Christianity Path, “Zechariah 1:15 Meaning & Explanation,” accessed September 17, 2025, Christianity Path.
BibleHub, “Zechariah 2:11 Commentaries,” accessed September 17, 2025, BibleHub.
Christianity Path, “Zechariah 3:4 Meaning & Explanation,” accessed September 17, 2025, Christianity Path.
BibleHub, “Zechariah 3:4 Study Bible,” accessed September 17, 2025, BibleHub.