Night Visions
“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 series of eight nighttime 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 a 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.
What comes to you in the “night seasons” of your life — in dreams, in restlessness, in quiet moments? What might these images or feelings be trying to show you?
Zechariah’s people felt far from God and unsure how to live faithfully. Recall a time you’ve known like this.What helped, or might help, you sense God’s nearness again?
Awake at night? Whisper your questions or hopes to God. Notice what rises in you.
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