{"id":79081,"date":"2020-08-20T16:55:11","date_gmt":"2020-08-20T13:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=79081"},"modified":"2020-08-20T16:55:11","modified_gmt":"2020-08-20T13:55:11","slug":"points-to-ponder-zechariah-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/points-to-ponder-zechariah-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Points to Ponder – Zechariah 2"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    \n
  1. Horns, smiths and riddles.<\/em> The first vision of the chapter comes with only a partial explanation. Why four? Who are the smiths? (Hint: not a musical group\u2026). Commentators have their theories.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Inside and out<\/em>. The visions and the prophecies in the chapter tell about the period and its challenges from two perspectives. What is happening internally in Judah: the physical and spiritual challenge of rebuilding Jerusalem; and externally, looking out in all directions, with an expectation of a new world order, that will disrupt the nation. They have harmed – and perhaps still are harming – Israel, and the expectation is that God will punish them.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Not exactly running for their lives<\/em>. The call to those in Babylon is to flee, to escape (verses 10-11), but even from the words of the prophecy itself its clear that there isn\u2019t exactly anything threatening them there that they need to run away from. Other sources testify that that most of the exiles actually felt pretty good \u201cby the rivers of Babylon\u201d and were not rushing to return to Zion.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Surprise<\/em>! As part of the promise of the renewal of the Shechina<\/em> (divine presence) in Israel, there is a surprise: \u201cIn that day many nations will attach themselves to the LORD and become His people\u201d (verse 15). The question as to whether other nations were invited to take part in the faith of Israel and become part of God\u2019s people, bothered those who had returned. Zechariah though is voicing an opinion that we\u2019ve heard before, for instance: \u201cAs for the foreigners Who attach themselves to the LORD, To minister to Him, And to love the name of the LORD, To be His servants\u2026 I will bring them to My sacred mount And let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices Shall be welcome on My altar; For My House shall be called A house of prayer for all peoples\u201d (Is 56:6-7). But that\u2019s not the only voice. Wait until you hear what Ezra has to say about it – in 290 more chapters. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","image":{"ID":53645,"id":53645,"title":"general-qs-points to ponder","filename":"general-qs-points-to-ponder.jpg","filesize":0,"url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder.jpg","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/points-to-ponder-chapter-9\/general-qs-points-to-ponder\/","alt":"","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"general-qs-points-to-ponder","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":53644,"date":"2019-04-13 21:49:41","modified":"2019-04-13 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