- Preacher: Steve Constable
- Sermon Series: Prepare to Meet Your God
- Sermon Title: Prepare the Nations
- Scripture: Zechariah 1:18-2:13
SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Zechariah 1:18-2:13
In the second and third visions, Zechariah is reminded of Israel’s history and the enemies that, terrifying her, seem to have been in control of her fate. You can imagine the ideas going through the minds of Jews as they saw the armies of Nebuchadnezzar encircle Jerusalem or as these obstacles kept arising in the rebuilding of the city and its temple: does God love us, or has He found new favorites?
1. When you watch the news, particularly when you hear about something that discourages you, how do you make sense of it? Is it merely chaos or randomness that drives what happens? Is it simply powerful people pushing things their way? How does a sovereign God play into your assessment? Where do you find hope amidst all the discouragement?
2. VISION 2 (1:18-21)
a. Zechariah is shown a picture of four horns. Zechariah sees that they are horns – perhaps the horns of an animal or a helmet – but he has to ask the angel which particular horns they are. What does the angel tell him?
b. Whichever powers the horns represent in Israel’s history, they are about to be terrified and cast down by four mere craftsmen that God will send. What are the four craftsmen building? (Remember that the Temple is being rebuilt in Jerusalem.) What does the vision of the four craftsmen reveal about God’s sovereignty that mere craftsmen should be more powerful than entire empires in His plans?
3. VISION 3 (2:1-13)
a. Zechariah has been shown that Israel’s enemies will be defeated. What does God show him about his own people? How will God prosper the fortunes of ruined and tiny Jerusalem?
b. The sight of someone measuring Jerusalem here is not to size up its casket but to show that its future glory will exceed the ability to contain it: it will be without walls! What will be its defense and who will be its glory?
c. (If you have time READ Rev. 21:15-27.) Given that the city Zechariah is shown is your future home – a Jerusalem that far exceeded Zechariah’s imagination for what it could be – what encouragements do you take from verses 8-11.
d. Finally, Zechariah is shown that the LORD has taken the initiative to come from His home to make this happen (12). He has chosen Judah and Jerusalem (13). What security is there for you in knowing that, despite yourself, God has chosen to come to rescue you and make His home with you?
4. Spend time in prayer together lifting your requests and your worship to God, knowing these promises are also true for you!