VERY SORE DISPLEASED
Zechchariah 1:1 ¶ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. 3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. 4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD. 5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? 6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Zechariah 1:7 ¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. 9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. 10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. 11 And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. 12 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? 13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. 14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. 15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. 16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. 17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
Zechariah 1:18 ¶ Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. 19 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. 20 And the LORD shewed me four carpenters. 21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Because this is such an amazing chapter, I listed it out in its entirety for you. For it reveals the absolute sovereignty of God. It shows his supreme authority over both the church in verse two, and over the world in verse fifteen. For he is but “sore displeased” with the church, but “very sore displeased with the heathen” in verse fifteen. Psalm 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. Proverbs 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Then there is the introduction of the Divine Mediator (our Lord Jesus Christ) in verses twelve and thirteen. And due to his divine intercession, he receives for us, both “good and comfortable words” from the Father! 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
And what good and comforting words he gave to us regarding the Father! John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
And in these verses is also mentioned that the 70 years of Babylonian captivity, as set forth in the Books of Jeremiah and Daniel, are then fulfilled. Isaiah 40:2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. Due to the Lord’s atonement at Calvary, the church’s sin debt is paid! Due exclusively to Him, the Father is satisfied and the people are justified! Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Then there is the sending forth of Christ’s ministers in verses fourteen through seventeen. In verse fourteen he commands them to “Cry.” And after they have done that he tells them in verse seventeen to “Cry yet.” For the Mediator will have them involved as he invades hearts in his present mediatorial reign! For he has been given “all authority” both in heaven and earth in order to do so! Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
And being sovereign over all, he brings his ministers forth, without fail, for their gospel task. Their mothers did not birth baby boys who became preachers. They birthed baby preachers who were boys! Jeremiah 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Then in verses eighteen through twenty-one he reveals that as he is both Alpha and Omega, he had the “four carpenters” ready to repair the church at the same time when he sent forth the “four horns” to scatter it. For his provisions are always ready before their need arises. 1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, For before man ever fell, the Lamb of God was standing in redemptive submission from before the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Did you ever think how far in advance of Abrahams offering up Isaac that God had started the growth of both the “thicket” of thorns and briars, and that little baby goat in order to become the ram with horns, so that a sacrifice could be made? Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. For the Lord God has not just, “got your back,” he has also gone before you to provide your need when the time arises! Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
But we must now consider just why he is “very sore displeased with the heathen.” And the answer is also listed in that same verse. For it states, “that are at ease.” That’s a very dangerous thing! Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
The reason that these last days are dangerous times is not said to be because of any nuclear threat, or any virus pandemic, but because mankind is living for their own pleasure instead of living for the glory of God! That is very dangerous! Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (“dangerous”) times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
For just as the Lord Jesus Christ did not come to live his own life, but to do all that the Father willed, so it is with the true believer. John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
The believer is to live the “death life!” He daily dies to himself and his carnal desires, thereby requiring a continued spiritual resurrection in order to accomplish the Lord’s will. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2 Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
But thanks be unto God for the Lord Jesus, pictured on his white horse, coming forth conquering and to conquer, for the disturbing of the ease of both the elect for their salvation and the heathen for their judgment! Revelation 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For He alone, as the stronger man can disturb the false peace of the church nestled in the comforts of the world! Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
He faithfully maintains a distinction between the tare and the wheat as they “grow together.” (Matthew 13:30) Exodus 11:7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. For the believers are IN the world, but they are not OF the world! John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt (sanctified afflictions) of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Let us be wary of the world’s false peace!
Pastor Gene Breed
June 17, 2020