Day 261 of my 4th Bible Study Journey

Day 261, 17 September 2024 

1) Zechariah 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Zechariah 1

1 (Ne 12:4; Mt 23:3) 5In the eighth month,
during the second year of King Darius,
the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah,
son of Berekiah, son of Iddo, saying:

[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,

A Call to Repentance

2 (Jer 44:6) The Lord was very angry with your fathers,
3 (Mal 3:7; Isa 31:6) so you will say to them, Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.
4 (Ps 78:8; 2Ch 36:15-16) Do not be like your fathers to whom the former
prophets cried, "Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Turn away from your evil ways
and deeds!" But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, says the Lord.
5 So where are your fathers, and do the prophets live forever?
6 (La 2:17; Dt 28:15 )Surely My words and statutes that I commanded
to My servants, the prophets, did they not persuade your fathers?
They turned back and said, "Whatever the Lord of Hosts planned to do
to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us."

[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.

Vision of the Horsemen

7 (Zec 1:1) On the 24th day, in the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat,
during the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet
Zechariah, son of Berekiah, son of Iddo:
8 (Rev 6:4; Zec 6:2-7; Isa 41:19) I saw during the night a man riding on
a red horse. But he was standing among the myrtle trees that were
in the ravine, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.
9 (Zec 4:4-5; 1:19) And I said, "What are these, my lord?"
Then the angel who was speaking with me said,
"I will show you what these are."
10 (Zec 1:11; 6:5-8) Then the man who was standing among the myrtle trees
responded and said, "These are the ones whom the Lord has sent out to walk to
and fro on the earth."
11 (Zec 1:10; 1:8) They answered and said to the angel of the Lord
who was standing among the myrtle trees,
"We have gone to and fro on the earth,
and all the earth is resting and peaceful."
12 (Ps 102:13; Jer 29:10) Then the angel of the Lord said,
"How much longer, O Lord of Hosts, will You withhold mercy
from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah with which
You have been angry these seventy years?"
13 (Isa 40:1-2; Jer 29:10) And the Lord answered the angel speaking
to me with good and comforting words.
14 (Joel 2:18; Isa 40:6) So the angel who spoke with me said, Cry out,
saying: Thus says the Lord of Hosts: I have a great jealousy
for Jerusalem and Zion.
15 (Isa 54:8; Zec 1:2) And I have a great anger for those nations
who are at ease, for while I was angry but a little,
they helped to increase evil.
16 (Zec 4:9; 8:3) Therefore thus says the Lord: I have returned to Jerusalem
with mercy, and My house will be built in it, says the Lord of Hosts,
and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.
17 (Isa 51:3; Zec 2:12) Cry out again, saying, Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Yet again My cities will overflow with goodness,
and again the Lord will comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.

[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.

The Vision of the Horns and Craftsmen

18 And I then lifted up my eyes, and I saw four horns.
19 (Zec 1:21; 1:9) And I said to the angel speaking to me, "What are these?"
And he answered, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel,
and Jerusalem."
20 Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen.
21 (Ps 75:4-5; Zec 1:19) And I said, "What are these coming to do?"
And he said, "These are the horns that scattered Judah
after which no one could raise his head; and these four craftsmen
have come to terrify and throw down the horns of the nations
who lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it."

[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.

Zechariah 2

The Vision of the Man With the Measuring Line

1 (Eze 40:3; Zec 1:16) And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw a man with
a measuring cord in his hand.
2 (Jer 31:39; Rev 21:15-17) And I said, "Where are you going?"
And he responded, "To measure Jerusalem
and to note what is its width and length."
3 (Zec 1:19) Then the angel who was speaking with me went out,
and then another angel came out to meet him,
4 (Jer 1:6; 31:27) and said to him, "Run, say to this young man:
Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls,
because of the multitude of men and animals in her.
5 (Isa 4:5; 60:18-19)And I will be like a wall of fire all around her,
says the Lord, and I will be as glory in her midst."

[1] I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a
measuring line in his hand.
[2] Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure
Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length
thereof.
[3] And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel
went out to meet him,
[4] And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall
be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle
therein:
[5] For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and
will be the glory in the midst of her.

Interlude: An Appeal to the Exiles

6 (Eze 17:21; Isa 48:20) Up, up, flee from the northern land,
says the Lord, for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,
says the Lord.
7 (Isa 48:20; 52:11) Deliver yourself, O Zion,
you who live with the daughter of Babylon.
8 (Dt 32:10; Ps 17:8) For thus says the Lord of Hosts: He has sent Me
after glory to the nations which plunder you, for he who touches
you touches the apple of His eye.
9 (Isa 14:2; 19:16) For I will swing My hand against them,
and they will become plunder for their servants.
Then you will know well that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me.
10 (Zec 8:3; Lev 26:12) Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion,
for I am coming and will dwell in your midst, says the Lord.
11 And many nations will join themselves with the Lord in that day,
and they will be My people. And I will reside in your midst,
and you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to you.
12 (Dt 32:9; Zec 1:17) And the Lord will possess Judah as His portion
in the holy land, and He will again choose Jerusalem.
13 (Ps 68:5; Hab 2:20) Be still, all flesh before the Lord, for He is
stirred from His holy habitation.

[6] Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD:
for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the
LORD.
[7] Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
[8] For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto
the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple
of his eye.
[9] For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil
to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
[10] Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell
in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
[11] And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be
my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that
the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
[12] And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and
shall choose Jerusalem again.
[13] Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his
holy habitation.

Zechariah 3

The Vision of Joshua the High Priest

1 (Ps 109:6; Zec 6:11) Then he showed me Joshua, the high priest,
standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing
at his right hand to accuse him.
2 (Am 4:11; Jude 1:9) And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!
The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you! Is this not a burning brand
taken out of the fire?"
3 (Isa 64:6; Ezr 9:15) Now Joshua had on filthy garments and was standing
before the angel.
4 (Isa 61:10; Eze 36:25) And he said to those standing before him,
"Take off his filthy garments."
Then he said, "See that I have removed from you your iniquity,
and I will clothe you with rich robes."
5 (Ex 29:6; Zec 6:11) And I said, "Let them place a pure turban on his head."
So they put a pure turban on his head and garments on him.
And the angel of the Lord was standing by.
6 (Zec 3:1) And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying,
7 (Ge 26:5; Lev 8:35) "Thus says the Lord of Hosts: If you walk in My ways
and keep My charge, then you will judge My house and guard My courts,
and I will give to you access to these who are standing here.
8 (Isa 11:1; Jer 23:5) "Hear this, O Joshua the high priest,
you and your friends sitting before you, for these men are a sign.
I am bringing My servant, the Branch.
9 (Isa 28:16; Jer 50:20) The stone that I have set before Joshua,
on that single stone is seven eyes. And I will engrave an inscription,
says the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land
in one day.
10 (1Ki 4:25; Mic 4:4) "On that day, says the Lord of Hosts, each of you will
invite your companion to come and sit under the vine and under the fig tree."

[1] And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the
LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
[2] And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the
LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out
of the fire?
[3] Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
[4] And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take
away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have
caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change
of raiment.
[5] And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair
mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the
LORD stood by.
[6] And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
[7] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou
wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also
keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
[8] Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit
before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth
my servant the BRANCH.
[9] For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone
shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the
LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
[10] In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his
neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

Zechariah 4

The Vision of the Gold Lampstand

1 (Jer 31:26; Da 8:18) And the angel who was speaking with me returned
and woke me up like a man who is roused from his sleep.
2 Rev 4:5; 1:12And he said to me, "What do you see?"
And I responded, "I see a completely gold lampstand and a bowl at its top,
with seven lights on it, and seven pipes on it for each lamp in order
to light them.
3 (Rev 11:4) And there are two olive trees next to it, one on the right
of the bowl and one on the left."
4 (Zec 1:9; 6:4) So I answered and I asked the angel speaking with me,
"What are these, my lord?"
5 (Zec 4:13) Then the angel speaking with me responded,
"Do you really not know what these are?"
And I said, "No, my lord."
6 (Hos 1:7; Isa 11:2-4) And he said to me: "This is the word of the Lord
to Zerubbabel, saying: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,
says the Lord of Hosts.
7 (Jer 51:25; Ps 114:4) "Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel
you will be made level ground, and he will bring out the top stone amidst
shouting of 'Grace! Grace to the stone!' "
8Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
9 (Ezr 5:16; 6:14-15) "The hands of Zerubbabel have established
the foundation of this house, and they will even complete it.
Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to all of you.
10 (Hag 2:3; Zec 3:9) "For who has despised the day of small things?
These seven will rejoice and see the plumb line in the hand
of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of the Lord, which survey to
and fro throughout the earth."
11 (Zec 4:3; Rev 11:4) Then I answered and I asked, 
"What are these two olives trees on the right and left of the lampstand?"
12 And I asked a second time, "What are these two branches of the olive trees
that are next to the two golden pipes from which they pour out the gold oil?"
13 (Zec 4:5) And he asked me, "Do you not know what these are?"
I responded, "No, my lord."
14 (Ex 29:7; 40:15) He answered, "These are the two anointed ones
who stand by the Lord of all the earth."

[1] And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man
that is wakened out of his sleep,
[2] And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold
a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven
lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top
thereof:
[3] And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the
other upon the left side thereof.
[4] So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What
are these, my lord?
[5] Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest
thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
[6] Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD
unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith
the LORD of hosts.
[7] Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a
plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings,
crying, Grace, grace unto it.
[8] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[9] The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his
hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath
sent me unto you.
[10] For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice,
and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they
are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
[11] Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon
the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
[12] And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive
branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of
themselves?
[13] And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I
said, No, my lord.
[14] Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD
of the whole earth.

Zechariah 5
The Vision of the Flying Scroll

1 Then I turned and lifted up my eyes and saw a flying scroll.
2 (Zec 4:2) He asked me, "What do you see?"
And I responded, "I see a flying scroll with its length as twenty cubits
and its width as ten cubits."
[About 30 feet long and 15 feet wide, or 9 meters long and 4.5 meters wide.]
3 (Ex 20:15; Isa 24:6) He said to me, "This is the curse going out
over the surface of all the land. Everyone who steals will be purged
according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely
will be purged according to the writing on the other side.
4 (Lev 14:34-45; Job 18:15) I will send it out, says the Lord of Hosts,
and it will enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears
falsely by My name. It will remain in his house and consume it,
with its timber and stones."

[1] Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying
roll.
[2] And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying
roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
[3] Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face
of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this
side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on
that side according to it.
[4] I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into
the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by
my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it
with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

The Vision of the Woman in the Basket

5 (Zec 1:9) Then the angel who was speaking with me came out, saying,
"Now lift up your eyes and see what this is that is going forth."
6 (Am 8:5) And I asked, "What is it?"
He said, "This is the ephah basket going forth.
This represents their iniquity throughout all the land."
7 The lead cover was lifted,
and there was a woman sitting in the ephah basket.
8 And he said, "This is wickedness." And he threw her back into the basket
and then thrust back the lead stone over its opening.
9 Then I lifted my eyes and saw coming forward two women. There was wind
in their wings, and the wings were like those of a stork,
and they lifted up and carried the ephah basket between heaven and earth.
10 Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me,
"Where are they carrying the basket?"
11 (Ge 10:10; 11:2) He responded, "To build a house for it in the land
of Shinar. And when the house is established, the basket will be set
there on a pedestal."

[5] Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up
now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
[6] And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth.
He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
[7] And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman
that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
[8] And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the
ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
[9] Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two
women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of
a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
[10] Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the
ephah?
[11] And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it
shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

Zechariah 6

The Vision of the Four Chariots

1 (Da 8:22) And I turned around and lifted my eyes, and I saw four chariots
coming out from between two mountains, which were bronze mountains.
2 (Zec 1:8) The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses,
3 (Rev 6:2; Zec 1:8) the third white horses, and the fourth chariot
dappled horses-all of them strong.
4 (Zec 1:9) Then I answered the angel speaking with me,
"What are these, my lord?"
5 (Da 7:2; Zec 4:14) The angel responded, "These are the four winds
of heaven going out after standing before the Lord of all the earth.
6 (Jer 1:14-15; 4:6) The one with the black horses is going toward
the north country, the white ones are going after them,
while the dappled ones are going toward the south country."
7 (Zec 1:10) When the strong horses went out, they were seeking to go to
and fro throughout the earth. And he said, "Go out to and fro throughout
the earth." And they went out to walk to and fro throughout the earth.
8 (Eze 5:13; Zec 1:15) Then he cried out to me, "Look, the ones going out
to the northern land have given rest to my Spirit in the north."

[1] And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there
came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were
mountains of brass.
[2] In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black
horses;
[3] And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled
and bay horses.
[4] Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are
these, my lord?
[5] And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of
the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
[6] The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and
the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south
country.
[7] And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro
through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the
earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
[8] Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go
toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

The Coronation of Joshua

9 (Zec 1:1; 7:1) Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
10 (Ezr 7:14-16; 8:26-30) Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah
who have come from Babylon, and go on that day to the house of Josiah,
the son of Zephaniah.
11 (Zec 3:1; Ps 21:3) Take the silver and gold and make a crown,
and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 (Zec 3:8; Isa 4:2) And say to him: Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
Here is a man whose name is Branch; for he shall branch out from his place,
and he shall build the temple of the Lord.
13 (Ps 110:4; 21:5) It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord;
he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne.
He shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall
be between them both.
14 (Ex 12:14; Mt 26:13) And the crown shall be for a memorial to Helem,
Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah, in the temple of the Lord.
15 (Isa 60:10; Zec 3:7) And those who are far off shall come and help
to build the temple of the Lord; and you all shall know that the Lord
of Hosts has sent me to you. This shall happen if you diligently obey
the voice of the Lord your God.

[9] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[10] Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of
Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go
into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
[11] Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head
of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
[12] And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying,
Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his
place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
[13] Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the
glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon
his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
[14] And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and
to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
[15] And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the
LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And
this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD
your God.

Zechariah 7

A Call for Justice and Mercy

1 (Ne 1:1; Zec 1:1) And in the fourth year of King Darius, on the fourth day
of the ninth month, Kislev, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah.
2 (Zec 8:21; Jer 26:19) Those in Bethel sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek
and their men to entreat the graces of the Lord,
3 (Zec 8:19; Jer 52:12-14) saying to the priests and prophets of the house
of the Lord of Hosts, "Should I weep and dedicate myself during
the fifth month as I have done in these many years?"
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 (Zec 1:12; Isa 1:11-12) Say to all the people in the land
and to the priests: When you fasted and lamented during the fifth
and seventh months for these seventy years, did you really fast for Me?
6 (1Co 11:20-21) And when you eat and when you drink,
do you not eat and drink for yourselves?
7 (Jer 17:26; Isa 1:16-20) Were these not the very words that the former
prophets proclaimed when Jerusalem dwelled with ease along with
her surrounding cities, and when the Negev and the Lowland were inhabited?

1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of
the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even
in Chisleu;
2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and
their men, to pray before the LORD,
3 And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of
hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month,
separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,
5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying,
When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those
seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for
yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former
prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities
thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?

Punishment for Rejecting God's Demands

8 And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying:
9 (Mic 6:8; Jer 21:12) Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Execute true justice,
show mercy and compassion, every man to his brother.
10 (Ps 21:11; 72:4) Do not oppress the widow, orphan, sojourner, or poor.
And let none of you contemplate evil deeds in your hearts against his brother.
11 (Ne 9:29; Jer 8:5) But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn
shoulder, and stopped their ears so that they should not hear.
12 (Ne 9:29-30; 2Ch 36:16) They made their hearts hard like a diamond
so as not to hear the instruction and words that the Lord of Hosts
sent by His Spirit through the former prophets, and there was great anger
from the Lord of Hosts.
13 (Isa 1:15; Pr 1:24-28) Therefore it happened that as I called,
and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,
says the Lord of Hosts.
14 (Dt 28:33; 4:27) So I scattered them about among all the nations
whom they did not know, so the land was left desolate behind them with
no one coming or going. And they made a desirable land desolate.

8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,
9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and
shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the
poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and
stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should
hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit
by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of
hosts.
13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not
hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they
knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed
through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. 

2) Our Daily Bread for 17 September 2024 Titled 
<a href="https://odb.org/2024/09/17/grafted-into-gods-family"> 
Grafted into God's Family</a>

Romans 11:11-21

The Salvation of the Gentiles

11 (Ro 10:19; 11:14) I say then, have they stumbled that
they should fall? God forbid! But through their transgression salvation
has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
12 (Ro 11:25) Now if their transgression means riches for the world,
and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will
their fullness mean?
13 (Ac 9:15) For I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am
the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
14 (1Co 7:16; Ro 9:3; 1Ti 4:16) if somehow I may make my kinsmen
jealous and may save some of them.
15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world,
what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?
16 (Eze 44:30; Lev 23:10) If the first portion of the dough is holy,
the batch is also holy. And if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 (Jer 11:16; Eph 2:11-13) But if some of the branches were broken
off, and you, being a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them
and became a partaker with them of the root
and richness of the olive tree,
18 do not boast against the branches. If you boast,
remember you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.
19 You will say then, "The branches were broken off, so that I might
be grafted in."
20 (Ro 12:16; 1Co 10:12) This is correct. They were broken off
because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant,
but fear.
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will
He spare you.

[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but
rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to
provoke them to jealousy.
[12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing
of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the
Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and
might save some of them.
[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what
shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
[16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root
be holy, so are the branches.
[17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive
tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and
fatness of the olive tree;
[18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the
root, but the root thee.
[19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be
graffed in.
[20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by
faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
[21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also
spare not thee. 

During a visit with my father to his beloved Ecuador a few years ago, 
we visited the family farm where he grew up. I noticed a group of strange 
trees. My dad explained that when he was feeling mischievous as a boy, he 
would take a discarded branch from one fruit tree, make slits in a different
kind of fruit tree, and tie the loose branch to the trunk like he saw the 
grownups do. His pranks went unnoticed until those trees started bearing 
different fruit than expected.

As my dad described the process of engrafting, I got a picture of what it 
means for us to be grafted into God's family. I know my late father is in 
heaven because he was grafted into God's family through faith in Jesus.

We can have the assurance of eventually being in heaven as well. The apostle 
Paul explained to the believers in Rome that God made a way for gentiles, or 
non-Jews, to be reconciled with Himself: 
"And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive
tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and
fatness of the olive tree;" (Romans 11:17). When we put our faith in Christ, 
we're grafted in with Him and become part of God’s family. 
"If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit" (John 15:5).

Similar to engrafted trees, when we place our trust in Christ, 
we become a new creation and can bear much fruit.

By:  Nancy Gavilanes

Reflect & Pray

How does it feel to know you can be grafted into God's family? 
How can you bear good fruit for Christ?

Dear God, thank You for loving me and accepting me into Your family.
<a href="https://odbu.org/topic/nt050-01-lecture/">
Discover more about the fruits we can bear when we trust God.</a>

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 3 The song of Exaltation

Exodus 15:2

2 The Lord is my strength and song,
and He has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
my father's God, and I will exalt Him.

2 The LORD is my strength and song,
And he is become my salvation:
He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation;
My father's God, and I will exalt him.

The world is full of music that communicates human emotion:
love, joy, sadness, separation.
A love song makes us misty-eyed; a song of protest arouses anger; a song
describing loss stimulates feelings of hurt and abandonment.
Music is a powerful force to sway the human spirit.
Exodus 15:2 indicates that God should be the source of the songs in our hearts.
Human emotions vacillate; human relationships disappoint,
but God is our "strength" and our "song".
To exalt the Lord includes many different type of "songs".
"I can't carry a tune in a bucket," one woman complained.
"How can I sing to the Lord anything that will be pleasing to him?"
But the Lord does not delight in the professionalism of our songs,
but in the motivation of our hearts. We can "sing to the Lord"
when we enjoy a Bach organ piece played for his glory.
We can exalt him in the words of Scripture - either remembered or sung.
We can worship him by enjoying the songs of others.
The key to making the Lord our song is exaltation. When our thoughts
lift him up in praise, we are singing a song of exaltation to the Lord.
When God is exalted in our songs, in our hearts, and in our thoughts,
that focus gives strength to our lives. We can face the difficulties
that are an inevitable part of experience,
because God is our "strength and our song".

Application

a) What is the difference between a song that is professionally performed
and one that exalts the Lord?

b) What practical steps can I take to make
my daily life a "song of praise" to God?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Gen 13:2,5-6,14-17

2 (Ge 24:35; Ps 112:1-3) Abram was very wealthy in livestock,
in silver and in gold.
5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.
6 (Ge 36:6-7) But the land was not able to support them
both dwelling together because their possessions were so great.
14 (Ge 28:14; Dt 3:27) After Lot had departed from him,
the Lord said to Abram,
"Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are,
northward and southward and eastward and westward.
15 (Ge 12:7; 2Ch 20:7) All the land that you see I will give to you
and to your descendants forever.
16 (Ge 28:14; Nu 23:10) I will make your descendants like the dust
of the earth, so that if a man could number the dust of the earth,
then your descendants could also be numbered.
17 Arise, and walk throughout the land across its length
and its width, for I will give it to you."

2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together:
for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him,
Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward,
and southward, and eastward, and westward:
15 for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it,
and to thy seed for ever.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man
can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it;
for I will give it unto thee.

5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:

God's Generous Provision

Ps 145:13b-21

13 Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon You,
and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
and loving in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord preserves all those who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all people bless His holy name
forever and ever.

13 And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;
And thou givest them their meat in due season.
16 Thou openest thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways,
And holy in all his works.
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,
To all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him:
He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him:
But all the wicked will he destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD:
And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer 

Matthew 6:9-13

9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)

Nova Scotia

Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629

With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations

- in and around Halifax and other cities

- on university campuses

- for new workers among Muslims

- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.

- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them

- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims

Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.

Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.

while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.

Adding further

30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020

Under the Keep Praying page

When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.

Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."

Peter's Speech at Pentecost

14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'

- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."

Ideas for prayer

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -

Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!

My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) 

7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada

http://www.ehc.ca

17th Day of the Month

a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes

( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!

7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.)

b) Pray for the province of Ontario

I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.

III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus

)

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and pray to execute true mercy. 

Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, thank You for loving me 
and accepting me into Your family."

Pray to the Lord and praise Him with a Song of Praise.

Pray to the Lord and pray to understand the Blessing of Abraham.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know the enduring power of the Lord.

Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations

- in and around Halifax and other cities

- on university campuses

- for new workers among Muslims

- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.

- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them

- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims

Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people - 
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims 
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days! 

Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes

Pray that Christians distributing Bibles in Iran will remain undetected
by the authorities and others who wish them harm.

Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
-- 
Member - Liberal International This is [email protected] Ici [email protected]
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;