“In the night I saw a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen; and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. Then I said, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.” — Zechariah 1:7-8
It is night. Zechariah dreams.
This prophet receives his messages in graphic dreams. He is a contemporary of Haggai and joins him in calling the returned Exiles to rebuild the temple and renew their relationship to God.
In a serie of eight night visions, God comes close to Zechariah and he receives images of flying scrolls, plumb lines, horsemen on patrol and a woman in a basket. Some are scary!
Like your dreams or mine, they are symbols and metaphors. Zechariah digs deep into what he knows of God and his assessment of the current situation to shape his prophetic message. Sometimes his night-visions inform the shape of of future path if the people’s actions do not change.
Zechariah’s people are back in the homeland, but everything is changed. They feel far away from God and struggle to find meaning or ways of faithful practice. Zechariah’s message is that God is here, waiting to draw them back. If only, if only they hear the words of invitation.
It is night. Zechariah dreams.
Recall ways that you receive Divine messages in the night. How might the symbols and metaphors offered in your dreams bring God closer to you and you closer to God?
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