He is jealous of me; His love’s like a hurricane; I am a tree. Those are famous words from a well-known praise song, “He Love Us.” Today’s passage talks about how God is jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. We talk today about what that meant biblically in that time, but we also move it forward to this day to think about what it means to say that He is jealous for us. What does it mean to say that God loves us in such a way? But we are also warned today, don’t take that love for granted. Always be thankful.

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this Thursday morning. I hope you’re doing well. As you can see, I’m wearing my usual Vacation Bible School (VBS) uniform. We just finished up with Trinity Hispanic VBS, and next week, we’ll have our VBS here at St. Matthew’s. It’s always a fun time working with the kids.

Today, we’re picking up with Zechariah chapter 1, verses 7 through 17.

In this vision, Zechariah sees a man riding a red horse among myrtle trees, with other horses behind him. The angel explains that these are the ones sent by the Lord to patrol the earth. Their report is that the whole earth is at peace. However, the angel of the Lord expresses concern, asking how long God will withhold mercy from Jerusalem and Judah, which have suffered for seventy years.

God responds with gracious and comforting words, affirming His jealousy for Jerusalem and Zion and His anger with the nations that took their punishment too far. He promises to return to Jerusalem with mercy, rebuild His house, and bring prosperity.

This vision is rich with meaning. The patrol of the earth by these horsemen signifies that all the earth belongs to the Lord. As the Psalmist writes, “The heaven is the Lord’s throne, and the earth is His footstool.” There is no part of this world outside of God’s dominion and grace. This idea is echoed in the Hebrew text, emphasizing that everything on earth is the Lord’s.

This vision reminds us that God’s love and attention extend to every corner of the earth. We might sometimes feel like we need to bring God into certain areas of our lives or the world, but the truth is, God is already there, working. Our role is to join in with what God is already doing.

God’s jealousy for Jerusalem and Zion highlights His deep love and commitment. The word “jealous” here signifies the significance and intensity of His love. This love extends to all of us today because of Christ’s redemptive work.

God’s anger towards the nations that felt secure and added to Judah’s suffering serves as a reminder of His justice. While He may allow discipline, He does not tolerate excessive cruelty. His ultimate desire is to show mercy, rebuild, and bring prosperity.

As we reflect on this vision, let’s remember that God’s presence is everywhere, His love is intense and personal, and His plans are for our ultimate good. We should be thankful for His love and not take it for granted. Instead, let’s live in the fullness of His love, aware of His constant presence and care.

Thank you for joining today. Tomorrow, we’ll continue with the next vision in Zechariah chapter 1. Have a great day!