The facts:

The date: What was going on during this time? Look at Haggai 1:2. Rebuilding of the temple. Close to the end of the 70 years of captivity. Dan 9:1-2

What situation is God attempting to avert through Zechariah and what situation is God attempting to create?

Yahweh was very angry with your fathers.

(Thus says the Lord of armies, Return to me, declares Yahweh of Armies, that I may return to you, says Yahweh of Armies.)

Do not be like Your fathers.

What three arguments does Zechariah then give in favor of returning to God?

1	Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets cried, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Return ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith Jehovah. 5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

2	6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?

3	and they turned and said, Like as Jehovah of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

(What does "return to me" mean? What does Zechariah say is the way to turn from ones evil ways and practices?

Listen and pay attention! v.4

What mistakes does Zechariah urge his hearers not to repeat when confronted with a message of repentance?

They did not listen (understand) or give heed (prick up ears).

Interpretation:

Context:

Read the context. What current events make this message so important for Zechariah's audience?

The end of the captivity. It was their unfaithfulness that led to it in the first place. God doesn't want a repeat. God wants to live among them. He must have a faithful people if 2:11 will be true. The reinstatement of the high priest. The completion of the temple! The reinstatement of the law in the land.

What does the thrice repeated phrase Yahweh of Armies suggest about Yahweh?

Strong.

What does the interspersed message of repentance indicate about Yahweh?

Weak? Reliant on human choice!

Let's make a list of the things that happen to those who ignore God's warnings and persist in evil ways and deeds.

If one is on an evil path first God says return that I may return, second hearers choose whether to heed. If they do not hear or pay attention three things happen.

1	They don't live forever

2	But first the words of God regarding them overtake them.

3	And then even they recognize that they were treated by God in a way that fit their lifestyle and actions.

Why would it be fair to expand this to include everyone who ignores the warning messages of God through His prophets? Give me scripture. For the sake of time, I'll just restrict you to the whole Bible.

God is no respecter of persons. Shows no partiality.

When does this happen for most? Second resurrection.

What does it tell us about God if His word overtakes those who choose to ignore the warnings given through His prophets?

1. God is merciful enough to warn us

2. God is truthful--He is not kidding when He warns us to turn from evil

3. God is so fair that even the evildoers will that they have received what they deserve when His word overtakes them.

Why does Zechariah use the expression "My words . . . overtake them."? What does this expression tell us about God?

He is consistent. He does not change His mind, but lets people know ahead of time that they will get what they deserve, and then He follows through with it.

(Is it possible for God's word to overtake us if we are headed in the wrong direction even if we do not have a chance to do the wrong actions?)

(What difference is there between ways and practices? Is it in any way similar to the difference between listening (hearing/understanding) and paying attention (considering important enough to 'perk up the ears')?

What are some principles of revival Zechariah is trying to teach here?

Learn from the mistakes of others who have disobeyed God.

Revival comes from reformation, not from excitement.

Revival happens in us not in God.

Revival begins with listening to God, but must end in a change of direction and actions.

Prophets do not make revivals, the response of their audiences does

What are some false beliefs about revival that we have?

Revival is about feeling good about God.

Revival comes through miraculous events.

Message at a time of transition–do it right this time:

God is right–didn't he warn our ancestors–didn't they learn he was right?

How merciful of God to warn them and deal consistently with them so we would see that He is real! Let's not follow in their footsteps.

Four craftsmen, builders, smiths–how do they terrify the nations and cast down their horns/power? By building the temple of the Lord–particularly here is a reference to the altar–with it's horns. Indeed the altar and the cross it foreshadows is the terror of all the powers of darkness arrayed against God's people.