QT 11/12/2025 Thu. Zechariah 1 Continued Enthusiasm for Restoration. 复兴的持续热忱。
QT 11/12/2025 Thu. Zechariah 1 Continued Enthusiasm for Restoration.
READ http://www.esv.org/zechariah1
(1) Repentance: The Foundation of Restoration (Zechariah 1:1-6)
“In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying, ‘The Lord was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.’” (Zechariah 1:1-3)
Zechariah opens with a clear call for the people of Israel to return to God. This is a reminder that restoration begins with repentance. The people had experienced God’s anger because of their disobedience, but God’s invitation is still open: "Return to me, and I will return to you."
In the context of the exile, God's people had been living in a season of judgment. Their return from Babylonian captivity was not just a physical return to the land, but a spiritual call to renew their relationship with God. This passage is an invitation to the church today as well. Though we may face trials or periods of spiritual dryness, God is always inviting us to come back to Him in repentance and faith.
(2) God would act and reorder the Universe (Zechariah 1:7-17)
“I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.” (Zechariah 1:8)
The horses in the visions symbolise God's active agents, carrying out His judgment and sovereignty over the nations. The riders report that the earth is at rest, implying that God has been patient with the nations but is now preparing to act.
The vision reassures Israel that God is not distant or passive; He is actively watching over the affairs of the world. This was especially comforting to Israel, who had just experienced the turmoil of exile and the destruction of their city. The vision assures them that despite the current circumstances, God is in control and His promises of restoration will be fulfilled.
For believers today, this vision is a reminder that no matter the circumstances we face—personal struggles, societal unrest, or global crises—God is sovereign and working behind the scenes for the good of His people. He is not absent, and His promises stand firm.
(3) God's Promise of Restoration and Blessing (Zechariah 1:16-17)
“Therefore, thus says the Lord: I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 1:16)
God promises that He will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and His house will be rebuilt. In the New Testament, we see that God has promised to build His church—His new temple—through Jesus Christ. We are the living stones being built into this spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). As God promised to return His presence to Jerusalem, He promises to be with His people today. For us, this is not just a future hope but a present reality, as we experience the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives.
(4) A Word for the Church Today: Return, Trust, and Hope (Zechariah 1:3)
“Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you.” (Zechariah 1:3)
For those who are weary, struggling in faith, or feeling distant from God, Zechariah reminds us that God's heart is always one of mercy and restoration. He longs for us to experience His presence and His blessing. No matter the past, God's invitation is always open.
Application for Today:
(a) Repentance and Renewal: Take time today to reflect on your relationship with God. Are there areas where you need to return to Him? Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for sin but about turning back to God with a whole heart.
(b) Trust in God's Sovereignty: Like the vision of the horses, remember that God is sovereign over all. Even when things seem chaotic or uncertain, He is at work, fulfilling His promises. Trust that He is in control.
(c) Hope in God’s Promises: God's promises of restoration are sure. Whether it's in the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem or the promise of Christ’s return, we have hope that God is faithful to His word.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your invitation to return to You. We confess our need for Your mercy and grace. Help us to trust in Your sovereignty, knowing that You are in control of all things. Restore our hearts, renew our faith, and give us the hope that comes from Your promises. We look forward to the day when You will return and fully restore all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
QT 11/12/2025 星期四. 撒迦利亚书1章 复兴的持续热忱
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/zec/1/
(1) 悔改：复兴的根基（撒迦利亚书1:1-6）
1 大利乌王第二年八月，耶和华的话临到易多的孙子、比利家的儿子撒迦利亚先知，说：2
“耶和华曾对你们的列祖大发烈怒，3 所以，你要对众民说：‘万军之耶和华这样说：你们要转向我（这是万军之耶和华的宣告），我就必转向你们（这是万军之耶和华说的）。 （撒迦利亚书1:1-3）
撒迦利亚书开篇便向以色列民发出明确的呼召：归向神。这提醒我们，复兴始于悔改。百姓因悖逆而经历了神的忿怒，但神的邀请依然敞开：“你们要转向我，我就必转向你们。”
在被掳的背景下，神的子民正经历审判的时期。他们从巴比伦归回不仅是肉体上的回归，更是灵性上与神关系的更新。这段经文同样是今日对教会的邀请。纵然我们面临试炼或属灵干旱的时期，神始终邀请我们以悔改和信心归向祂。
(2) 神将行动并重整宇宙（撒迦利亚书1:7-17）
“我夜间观看，看见有一个人骑着红马，站在低洼地上的石榴树中间；在他后面还有些红色、栗色和白色的马。”（撒迦利亚书1:8）
异象中的马匹象征着上帝的行动者，执行祂对列国的审判与统治。骑手们报告大地已归于平静，暗示上帝对列国历来宽容，如今却正准备采取行动。
这异象向以色列保证：上帝并非遥不可及或消极旁观，祂正积极关注着世间万象。对刚经历流亡动荡与城池毁灭的以色列人而言，这尤其令人心安。异象向他们保证：纵然处境艰难，上帝仍掌权不移，祂复兴的应许必将实现。
对当代信徒而言，这异象提醒我们：无论面对何种境遇——个人挣扎、社会动荡或全球危机——上帝始终掌权，在幕后为祂子民的福祉而运作。祂从未缺席，祂的应许永立不移。
(3) 神复兴与赐福的应许（撒迦利亚书1:16-17）
“因此，耶和华这样说：我要怀着怜悯的心回到耶路撒冷，我的殿必在城中重建（这是万军之耶和华的宣告）。绳子必拉在耶路撒冷之上。”（撒迦利亚书1:16）
神应许必带着怜悯回到耶路撒冷，祂的殿宇也必重建。在新约中，我们看见神应许要借着耶稣基督建立祂的教会——祂的新殿。我们正是被建造在这属灵殿宇中的活石（彼得前书2:5）。正如神应许将祂的同在带回耶路撒冷，祂也应许今日与祂的子民同在。对我们而言，这不仅是未来的盼望，更是当下的现实——因我们亲身经历圣灵在生命中的同在。
(4) 给当代教会的信息：归回、信靠与盼望（撒迦利亚书1:3）
万军之耶和华这样说：你们要转向我的宣告，我就必转向你们。（撒迦利亚书1:3）
对于那些疲惫、信心挣扎或感到与神疏远的人，撒迦利亚提醒我们：神的心永远充满怜悯与恢复。祂渴望我们经历祂的同在与祝福。无论过去如何，神的邀请永远敞开。
今日应用：
(a) 悔改与更新：今日请反思你与上帝的关系。是否有需要归向祂的领域？悔改不仅是为罪感到懊悔，更是全心转向上帝。
(b) 信靠神的主权：如同马群的异象所示，谨记神掌管万有。纵使世事纷乱难测，祂仍在运行，成就应许。当信靠祂掌权不移。
(c) 寄望于神的应许：神关于复兴的应许是确定的。无论是重建耶路撒冷圣殿的应许，还是基督再临的应许，我们都怀着盼望，因神必信守祂的承诺。
祷告：天父，感谢祢邀请我们归向祢。我们承认需要祢的怜悯与恩典。求祢帮助我们信靠祢的主权，深知万事都在祢掌管之中。求祢更新我们的心志，复兴我们的信心，赐下源于祢应许的盼望。我们殷切期待祢再来之日，那日祢必全然复兴万有。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
