“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 1:3
From a prophetical standpoint, because of the role of the prophet and his responsibility before God, that which is most important, and which tremendously arrests his attention, are the words: “…the word of the Lord came to me.” (1:1) Why is this? When God is about to do something, or is in the process of accomplishing it, as a testimony to all who will hear, He speaks through His servant the prophet. That specific word of God is the declaration, and confirmation, of the work and intervention of God concerning a specific event, person, or action. It is the method of God, not only to reveal His glory to men by the spoken word, but the means by which His kingdom comes, and His will is done. Scripture reveals to us that His word is authoritative, possessing all the power of God for not only creation, but also for redemption. In the book of Isaiah, we read that “all flesh is grass,” and that “the grass withers, the flower fades.” (Is. 40:8) Isaiah goes on to write, “…but the word of our God stands forever.” In other words, as God’s nature and character is, holy, true, and eternal, so is His word. In Isaiah, chapter fifty-five, we read: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (v.11) The Apostle John writes in his gospel that Christ is called the Word, “…and the Word was God,” (1:1) everlasting and true. The word of God is the very extension of God Himself, as He reveals His glory to men by His spoken word. He speaks and it is done, whether by the lips of Jesus when He would speak to the sinner about forgiveness of sins, or whether he spoke to those who were physically ill, sometimes being oppressed by the devil. The word of God is “…living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12) This is why, when God would speak to His prophets, that which gripped them to the point that they were persuaded that God was speaking, they would write down His words so as to obey them, not forgetting them. The prophet’s responsibility was to communicate them to the people of his day, specifically to that generation. God had a specific message for the people of that time, to be given in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, so that the people would see and know that it was of Him. Just as the prophet would listen to obey, so the people were given grace to believe and obey.
In the book of Zechariah, as well as in that of Haggai , there came a day, a moment, when the prophet KNEW that God was speaking to him. Both Zechariah and Haggai would individually write: “…the word of the Lord came…” In Zechariah, the word of the Lord was very precisely simple, yet eternal, powerfully echoing throughout the centuries to this very day. Circumstances have changed, but the issues are the same, and God is faithful not only to speak, but to promise His intervention in the individual life, but also in the nation and the world. Who will hear Him, and who will respond in obedient faith?
The message for that day was, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Return to Me,’ says the Lord of hosts, and ‘I will return unto you,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (1:3) Three times God uses the words, “the Lord of hosts,” and this to emphasize that God Almighty is speaking in authority and power, calling forth a faith filled, obedient response. The command is simple, but far reaching: “Return to Me.” The blessing, just as real, is the promise, “….and I will return unto you.” God speaks Life and blessing to the one who will obey.
Dear Father, Speak powerfully to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.