David O. Cofield
Sunday Morning, June 2, 2002
Hope can be defined as “an expectation.” “A reality yet unseen.” “A fact only in promise.” However we define it, Romans 8:24 says, “but hope that is seen is not hope.”
So when we are able to see something, hold something in our hands or experience it for real, then it ceases to be based on hope.
So hope is always unseen, but a Godly hope is not just a fathom of our imagination. It is solely based on a promise from God, thus since God can’t lie, it is a fact that is not a seen reality but will be.
From our text, let’s see three things about the Call to Hope Zechariah gave to the people who were in exile.
I.
Recipient of the Call to Hope are Prisoners
In our text today, we see a very unusual term spoken to identify the people of God in Babylon exile. They are called “prisoners of hope.” As I thought about that phrase, I sense that many can identify with that statement because of situations we find ourselves.
The call to hope was to prisoners. In a sense, we are all in a sense of prison at times.
What might have been their thoughts about their imprisonment? How did they know they were in prison?
They were in Babylon and had been there for a long time. A group had already left under Zerubbabel including Zechariah. They came to rebuild the Temple. But this group had not returned yet. They were still away from their homeland.
We feel the prison because of where we are in connection with a job, relationship, finances, physical illness, or even a spiritual problem. This sense of being in prison could be the result of someone else’s doings to us or of our own sin or weakness.
But they knew many that had already gone back to Jerusalem under a decree of Cyrus. But that decree got changed and they were not permitted to leave. Its one thing to know where you are, but its another misery to know that others, may be even friends and family, are in a better place than you.
Its like you are stuck at home working while the rest of your family is at the beach.
They wanted to be in Jerusalem too. Zechariah, the contemporary with Haggai, had been born in Babylon but returned and is now wanting the others to come.
Your sense of prison gets worse when you start looking at other people who have the job you want, or the good relationship you no longer enjoy, or the finances you want, etc.
II.
Reasons for the Call to Hope is a Person
But all we have is hope. A promise from God. These people had been in exile for 70 years, but through Jeremiah they had a promise in Jeremiah 25:11 that it would only be 70 years that they would serve the king of Babylon. So they knew it would end.
But the real reason for their hope as displayed in this passage is a person.
The word “hope” here is found with a definite article and it’s the only time in the OT it’s used like this. Not any hope, or a general hope, but the special hope of Israel. A hope unlike anyone or anything because it centers around their Messiah.
This is a Messianic passage and it reveals eight attributes of the one who will rescue them from their prison.
He is the King and His kingdom will be far reaching (vs. 10)
He is always right even when we believe otherwise.
He has never lost a battle and thus, He’ll can’t lose the war.
Riding on a donkey. This was the very feature that Satan could not tolerate with Jesus (Matthew 4)
His coming will be like the violent storm coming from the south. He will fight for us. His ability to subdue all His enemies is the basis for the realization of our hope. Like Exodus 33:15 that “If your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.”
He is our fortress and strong defense.
This is the covenant of blood. This only occurs here and in Exodus 24:8 so this is a reference to the blood.
The word “protects” means to fence them or hedge them in.
III.
Ramifications of the Call to Hope is Praise
Verse 9 – We are to rejoice greatly and sing aloud, even while in prison. Just like Zechariah 2: 9-10. Your king is coming.
And His reward is with Him. Verse 12 – “he will restore double to you.” This is the promised double blessing to the first born son.
He promises grain and new wine.
He is the bread of life that came down from Heaven. Not the bread that Moses gave you for they all died.
The wine reminds us of the Day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He will give you the Holy Spirit and he did.
Also, both the grain (which is bread) and the wine (the blood) recalls to us the Lord’s Supper and what we have in the new covenant that is much better (double) than the old covenant.
The last reason for hope – is Zechariah himself. His name means, “God remembers.” God does not forget and He will do what He said He would do.