Return to Me and I Will Return Unto You: The Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning

Scriptures for Today: The Meaning of Zechariah 1:1-6

Zechariah 1:1-6
In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,  2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.  3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.  4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.  5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?  6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Introduction — When God Calls A Nation Back From The Ashes (Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning)

Imagine standing in Jerusalem after the exile. The temple is unfinished. The people are discouraged. Everything looks smaller than they remember. And no one is sure if God is still with them.

That’s where Zechariah begins in this sermon on the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning.

He is preaching to the returned remnant — the ones who survived Babylon, came home under Cyrus, and started rebuilding, but then quit when the pressure hit.

They’re living in disappointment. Their homes are rebuilt. God’s house is not. Their passion has cooled. Their worship is half-hearted.

And right into that spiritual fog, God sends a prophet with the clearest invitation in the Old Testament:

“Turn ye unto me and I will turn unto you.”

What if the only thing standing between you and God’s blessing is just you taking one step towards him.

This sermon on the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning will show you not only what God wants — but how to return, why it matters, and what changes instantly when you do.

By the end of this message, you will know the exact steps God gives in this passage to rebuild your walk with Him — and you’ll have something you can act on within 24 hours.

Let’s walk through these verses one line at a time. Let’s discover the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning.

Verse 1 — God Speaks To Broken People (Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning)

Zechariah 1:1
In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

God begins with a timestamp:

“The second year of Darius.”

Why is that important?

Because His people were living under foreign rule — not under a king from David’s line, but under a Persian emperor. They’re discouraged, wondering if their story is over.

And then God speaks.

People say God doesn’t speak in dark times — Zechariah’s whole book proves the opposite.

Who is Zechariah?

• He’s not a priest like Ezekiel.
• Not a statesman like Daniel.
• Not a weeping prophet like Jeremiah.

He’s a preacher to rebuild people with broken spirits. Remember, the people were destroyed. Everything around them had been destroyed. Zechariah is here to rebuild spirits.

His grandfather Iddo returned from exile (Nehemiah 12:4). This is a prophet with generational scars — and generational hope.

“God speaks to people with scars — because scarred people speak louder.” Greater sinners love Jesus more when He forgives them of the greater debt. This is the starting point of understanding the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning.

Verse 2 — Sin Still Has Consequences (Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning)

Zechariah 1:2
The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.

God doesn’t hide the past.

Why? Because repentance can’t happen unless you face where things went wrong. Where did things go wrong? “The LORD hath been sore displeased (very, very displeased) with your fathers.”

Why mention “your fathers”?

Because the people who returned to Judah were not the original rebels who rejected Jeremiah — but they were living with the consequences.

Their fathers ignored the Word… So their sons carried chains to Babylon. This is what happens. Listen, please, what you do today will affect your children and the life they live.

If you don’t learn from the last generation’s mistakes, you will repeat them — and your children will inherit them. You can see this everywhere around us. That’s why it’s so important for you to get things right in your life right now. It affects everyone around you.

Write down one spiritual failure of a past generation and decide today: “This cycle stops with me.” Maybe it’s alcohol use. Maybe it’s food lust. Maybe it’s smoking. Maybe it’s not going to church. Maybe it’s not going soul winning. Maybe it’s not caring about anyone else. It’s time to fix these things.

Verse 3 — The Central Call Of The Whole Book (Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning)

Zechariah 1:3
Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

This is the entire book of Zechariah in one sentence. This verse is at the core of the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning. Don’t miss this today. Look very closely at the Scriptures. The Scripture is the treasure.

Three things explode out of this verse:

1. God takes the first step.

He speaks first. He calls first. He invites first. God takes the first step. God pulls us towards Him.

2. God requires a response.

“Turn ye unto me.” Repentance is a direction change — not emotion, not tears, not regret. Hey, just turn to God. Don’t turn to other things. Don’t look for something else. Just turn to God.

This  means: “I was walking away from God — now I walk towards God.” I put the marijuana away and I pick up the Bible. I put the cigarettes down and I pick the Bible up. I put the fornication away, and I get married. I put the sins away and I get on my knees to God.

3. God gives a guarantee.

“You turn to me, and I will turn unto you.” Not “might” turn.  Not “maybe” turn. Not “if you’re good enough I’ll turn to you.” God says, “I will turn unto you.”

Listen, this is HUGE. And this is true. The Almighty God of all Creation says, “IF you would simply turn to Him today, He will turn to you.” That’s great news. Put the other things away. Turn from them. And turn to God. You can’t bring those things with you either. It doesn’t work. Drop all the other things, the idols that you love, and go with God only. He’s everything good.

He guarantees His nearness the moment you take a step. He guarantees it. He cannot lie.

The distance between you and God is one decision — not a thousand miles. It’s as easy as turning and taking one step forward to God. It’s as easy as deciding to come to church and worship God. It’s as easy as listening to the Gospel and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“This is all God is waiting for.” He calls you. He’s waiting for you to turn to Him in your life. Again, we see God takes the first step. We see God requires a response from you. And then God gives a guarantee. That’s a great God. And if you’re here right now, you’re doing right.

Verse 4 — Don’t Repeat The Past (Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning)

Zechariah 1:4
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

God summarizes 400 years of rebellion in one verse.

Their sin? Not murder. Not adultery. Not violence. Their sin was not listening.

They “did not hear nor hearken.” People don’t believe they are in sin, at times, when they’re in great sin all the time. They didn’t hear! God spoke. They wouldn’t hear it. Same thing with you. God spoke in His words, in the Bible, and most days we won’t hear. Sin. Get the Bible out and read it every day. And don’t ever stop. Every day. More and more. Hear God or sin.

You can sit in church and still not listen. You can underline a verse and still not obey it. You can agree with truth and still not apply it to your life. You can listen but you aren’t HEARING His voice. You reject the Holy Spirit pulling you here.

America doesn’t reject the Bible — America ignores it. We’ll put the 10 commandments on the walls, but we ignore them.

Which warning have you heard but not obeyed in the Bible? Immediately, whatever that is, let’s start obeying God. Hear and obey what God says.

Verse 5 — God Outlives Every Rebel (Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning)

Zechariah 1:5
Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

I love this verse. When I see God’s words, I just love them with everything I’ve got. I love God and His words. They make me happy. God is direct. He is straight with you. He doesn’t go around things to make you feel better. He hits you with the truth.

For example, you know the people in your life that lead you the wrong way. Where are they? You know the ones that give you bad advice? Where are they? They aren’t in a good church. They’re out doing things that aren’t important at all. Where’s your great grandfather that you loved so much? Where’s your mom? Where’s your dad? These are just men and women from the dust of the earth. “Unto dust thou shalt return.”

We aren’t all that. You aren’t all that. I’m not all that. I’m dying. You’re dying.

This is God asking a sobering question right there:

“Where are the people who ignored Me?” Gone. Buried. Forgotten.

Here on this earth, I will be forgotten. My kids will remember me. I hope I live long enough so that my grandchildren remember me. You all might remember me for a while. But eventually, I will be forgotten. Whether it takes one generation, two, three, four, five, or maybe a few more, I will be forgotten here on this earth.

But what remains always? His Word remains. His Word is forever and eternal. His words shall not pass away.

Two realities collide here in this verse:

• People die.
• God’s Word does not.

Generations come and go, but every generation that has ignored God has ended the same way — regret, ruin, and remembrance too late. So that’s what you don’t want to do for your generation and the next.

Imagine me holding an old picture of my grandfather who I loved greatly. That photo will go away. That memory will fade. It will go away. My kids won’t remember my grandfather like I did. My grandchildren never knew him. The memory of him fades. Same thing with me. I fade away. The memory of me will be gone.

John the Baptist, in John Chapter 3, said it best: “He must increase, but I MUST decrease.” This isn’t about us. This is all about the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Memories fade. God’s Word doesn’t.” God says, “Where are they? I’m right here talking to you. Where are they? They’re gone. I’m here.” And God is always with us. And He doesn’t fade. We fade. He doesn’t fade. Jesus Christ is the most famous man in history and not it’s even close. Allah will fade. Joseph Smith will fade. The Mormons will fade. Ellen G. White will fade. They all do. Jesus Christ does not fade away.

Verse 6 — God’s Word Always Wins (Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning)

Zechariah 1:6
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

This is one of the strongest statements in the Old Testament and central to the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning:

“My words took hold of your fathers.”

No matter how long people resist God, His words always catch up. They will get you. They will take hold of you. Look, the words in the Bible aren’t dead words. Look closely: “Did they not take hold of your fathers?” I want to show you a verse from Jeremiah 23.

Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

His words take hold, they consume, they break like a hammer. They hit you hard.

Judgment came exactly as God warned. Exile came exactly as God promised. Destruction came exactly as God foretold. God’s words ALWAYS come to pass. Nothing will stop His words. So when you see something clearly in the Bible, just go with it OR be broken into pieces.

Years later, after those words got a hold of the fathers, the survivors admitted:

“God did exactly what He said.” And I’ll admit when God’s words got a hold of me, they did exactly what God said. Always.

What does this mean for us (the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning)?

Every promise stands. Every warning stands. Every word of God comes true — in mercy or in judgment.

The wisest moment of your life is the moment you stop fighting the Word and start obeying it.

“This Book will outlive every argument you make against it.” It’s so hilarious when people out there want to speak against God’s words or the King James Bible. The words coming out of their mouth mean absolutely nothing. Their words fade away. The Bible outlives everything.

Today, I want you to choose one command from Scripture you’ve been delaying obeying and obey it before the day ends. His words take hold on you. Look closely at the last part of the verse in this Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning:

Zechariah 1:6
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

According to our ways, and according to our doing, so hath he dealt with us. God warns us to stop the sin. He gives us time, and more time, and more time. Time then runs out. And God’s words take hold and they destroy. And God gets rid of the evil. That’s what He does. And you might say: “But that’s not fair.” Getting rid of evil = fair.

Before we close, remember:

This passage isn’t about rebuilding temples… It’s about rebuilding hearts. And Zechariah gives three clear steps to return to God.

How To Return To God Today – The Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning

1. Face what went wrong.

You can’t repent for what you refuse to admit. Ask: “Where did the drift begin?”

2. Take one step toward God — today.

Not a promise. Not a plan. A step. Just one simple step. Pray. Confess. Open the Bible. Come to church consistently. Cut off the sin that’s poisoning you.

3. Remove the idols that kept you away.

Idols today aren’t statues — they’re:

• relationships
• addictions
• priorities
• distractions
• habits
• secret sins

If you don’t remove them, they will remove God’s blessing from your life.

If you stay where you are spiritually, you will miss what God planned to give you next. This is a central point in the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning.

God Moves The Moment You Do – The Zechariah 1:1-6 Meaning

Zechariah doesn’t end with doom. He ends with a promise:

When you turn toward God, He turns toward you. Immediately. Personally. Powerfully.

Not tomorrow. Not when you’re perfect. The moment you return. When you turn back to Him, He’s right there with you.

Before tomorrow morning, take one step that lives out the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning that proves you’re returning to God. Just do something to return to God.

Pray with your family. Open your Bible. Cut off a sin. Fix a relationship. Repent sincerely. One step. God promises He’ll meet you there.

Next Sermon — Don’t Miss Malachi 1:1–14

If you think God doesn’t care how we worship, Malachi will shake you awake. Next time we’re stepping into the final book of the Old Testament — and God asks one confronting question:

“Where is My honor?” In Malachi 1, God exposes worship that looks good on the outside but is empty on the inside… sacrifices with no sincerity… praise with no purity… people giving God leftovers while asking for His best.

If you’ve ever wondered what kind of worship God actually accepts, Malachi answers it.

And His answer is not soft. Come ready — not just to hear a sermon, but to evaluate your heart. Don’t miss it.

I hope you enjoyed this sermon on the Zechariah 1:1-6 meaning. You should now have a far greater understanding of start of the book of Zechariah.

Let’s pray.