POWER WEEK  

2 of 5

Kings and Prophets Attest to God’s Power

   O Lord … you rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand and no one can withstand you.  2 Chronicles 20:6

   Do not be afraid of the king of Assyria and the vast army … for there is a greater power with us than with him. – 2 Chronicles 32:7

   How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. – Psalm 66:3 

   Great is the Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. – Psalm 147.5

The Lord Himself Declares

   I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? – Jeremiah 32:27

   Meanwhile, the people – like all people – were not pleasing the Lord. First the Northern Kingdom, then the Southern Kingdom (Judah) were conquered. After 70 years, some 50,000 descendants of those exiled to Babylon travelled to Judah, built homes and importantly, a new temple. Zerubbabel, the governor, led the effort to build the temple, 520-515 B.C.

   Notice the transformation in God’s dealing: An angel told priest and prophet Zechariah, This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.’  - Zechariah 4:6

   The Messiah did not come, as people had hoped. But the Lord gave Zechariah extraordinary prophecy concerning the future.    

Commentary, the book of Zechariah:

(1) Messianic references occur in all 14 chapters.

(2) Of the minor prophets, it contains the most specific prophecies about

end-time events. (3) It merges the priestly and prophetic roles in Israel’s history.

(4) Its visions and symbolic language resemble the apocalyptic books of Daniel

 and Revelation. (5) It prophesies the Messiah’s betrayal for 30 pieces of silver.

(6) Prophecy in chapter 14 - the Warrior-King reigning over Jerusalem.

 

Tomorrow:  Invisible power. Tangible results