Two More Unusual Dreams
I. I’m dreaming of HORNS and CRAFTSMEN. (1:18-21)
A. SCATTERED by the POWERFUL. (v.18; Micah 4:13, Dan. 7:24
B. SAVED by the… CRAFTSMEN? (v.19-21; Zech. 4:6)
These dreams of Zechariah are unusual in and of themselves, but it is further complicated by the cultural and linguistic distance between where we live today and the place he spoke into 2600 years ago. The first one is short, and from our cultural viewpoint almost void of meaning, but there is something important there.
1. Kid’s question: What was the weirdest dream you have ever had?
2. Where do we see the misuse of power bringing pain and suffering in the world around us, both globally and locally?
3. As you consider the idea of God using craftsmen to overcome evil and read Zech.4:6, what might God be saying to you about how you are to live in this world filled with evil?
II. A FLYING basket of WICKEDNESS. (5:5-11)
A. A DREAM full of METAPHORS. (5:6-9)
B. The BANISHMENT of EVIL. (5:10-11)
The second dream (for today, the seventh overall) is even weirder than the horns and craftsmen. A woman in a small basket with a lead lid is picked up by two other women with stork wings and flown to Babylon. If you neighbour or friend told you about this dream the two of you would just laugh it off. But there is a profound message here for the people of Israel…and us.
4. Many of the images of this dream relate to consumerism and materialism. In what ways do you find these seem to entrench evil in our culture? How can we best respond?
5. What evil around you are you currently longing for God to “banish”? How might you be called to play a role in that?
III. The REALITIES underlying the DREAMS. (1:7)
A. The DESTRUCTIVE use of POWER.(1:18-19; Jn 10:10)
1. ARTISANS of PEACE. (1:20-21; 1 Pet. 2:9; 2 Cor. 5:18)
B. The PRESENCE of EVIL. (5:6-8; Eph. 6:12-13)
1. The POWER of FAITHFULNESS. (5:9; Rev. 12:11)
C. A tiny FLAME of PEACE. (Jn 1:1-4; Is 9:6)
As we walk through the Advent season it is important to remember that our world is not that different from the world of Zechariah. We are called to wade into the world around us as agents of the Kingdom of God, living in such a way that peace comes to a world that longs for it.
6. What might an “Artisan of peace” do if they were living in your shoes this week?
7. What are some specific acts of faithfulness that you can live out this week whichcould help kindle the flame of peace for those around you?