The Tanakh Podcast

Zechariah sees a celestial hearing in which the High Priest stands before Satan. God rebukes Satan and says that he doesn't want to hear any accusations against the Jewish People who have endured so much! Instead the High Priest is given fresh, clean clothing, symbolizing God's forgiveness of His people and his intent to offer Israel a fresh start, a new beginning.

We continue with Zechariah's visions which express the end of Israel's oppression and dispersion, and promises both God's and Israel's return to Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1 offers a cryptic image of white and red horses and a mystery man who reports: “We have roamed the world, and have found it dwelling in tranquility.” To which Zechariah's angel blurts out: "How long will You withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, to which you have been furious for seventy years already?”

In chapter 2 we hear Haggai actively encouraging the Jews of Judea to build, lifting their hopes with promises of a better future.

The year is 520 BCE. the second year of the reign of Darius. Jews returned to Judea 17 years previously. But the Temple project has stalled ... Haggai quotes the people who say that "It isn't the right time to build the House of God." Haggai communicates that God feels differently: "Build the House and I will be pleased and glorified..." TO DONATE VIA PATREON see this link: https://patreon.com/user?u=51407457

From the day of destruction to the day of jubilation, Tzephaniah charts the process whereby Jerusalem will be purged of its evil elements and will return in joy and safety to God's protection and service.

We focus on the difficult phrase which opens ch.2 and the moral lessons that we can learn from it.

Zephania predicts a terrifying apocalypse that will be visited upon Jerusalem Music: Noga Erez

Here is Habakkuk's prayer. Is he continuing to challenge God or has he submitted? As we will see his prayer calls on Jewish history and askes God: "In anger; recall Your compassion!"

What does God answer Habakkuk's protest about the prevalence of evil in the world? This answer becomes the basis of one of the most famous pronouncements in Judaism.