Zechariah 14, 1 Peter 3

(Zechariah 14)

As I wrap up Zechariah, I have to admit, I miss him already. It’s a weird feeling since Zechariah brings prophesy of so much hope as well as destruction. I’ve never felt an affinity for the writing of Zechariah, but I am reminded this morning that it is the living Word of God. It is written with the authority and power of the one who spoke, and it was.

Chapter 14 wraps things up speaking of the Day of the Lord. Can you imagine when the day comes and God will be revealed for all that He truly is. There will no longer be skeptics, critics, or doubters. Revelation tells us that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. What a day.

That gives me amazing peace and hope. But in the same breath, I am reminded of our opportunity to represent the King while we wait on that day. There are so many who do not know Him. There are so many seeking a full life, that Christ alone promises, those who just need someone to share the life God has given them. Can you imagine what it would be like in that moment to see his Glory and realize that you’ve rejected it? Can you imagine what it will be like for us, to realize for the first time the full gravity and magnitude of our faith in Christ?

Father, this morning, help us to rejoice in our future as children of the King. Give us a Holy Passion for those who are far from you, that we might share through our lives and words, the live changing message of Jesus. On that day, may we be found faithfull.

(1 Peter 3)


In prior chapters, Peter has given instructions on how to live as chosen people. He gives us a list of standards for how to live under authority and with one another. It’s interesting to me how much we put emphasis on how we live and treat God, which fulfills the first and greatest commandment, but neglect one another (the second one that Jesus says was like the first)

In the beginning of the chapter, Peter gives us instruction that not only increases our relationship with each other, but also impacts our relationship with our God. MANY times we take verse 7 out of context, especially men. So I chose this verse today to make sure we don’t any more.

In verse 7, Peter tells us, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” It’s our nature to jump to the weaker partner part. But let’s look at this in context.

The original text tells us to live (or dwell) with our wives “according to knowledge”. This phrase literally means “in varied relations, according to knowledge”. Given the condition of first century Christianity, knowledge was key. Not everyone had the background or experience in speaking the truth. As a result of their culture, women, in particular were much more varied in their understanding of God’s Word than men were. In NO WAY was Peter saying ALL of the women were to be lumped into this group of “ignorance”, but he challenges us to recognizes and relate to each other in varied ways and levels based on where your understanding is. That will be different for each of us, even more so today as we apply this truth to our wives. In fact, most of us have many things we could be learning from our wives.

I believe Peter was addressing two issues: (1) primarily, the women who were not as knowledgeable, telling the men to be patient, leading, and loving with them and (2) the women who were growing in knowledge to be encouraged and could and should be given the respect they deserve. In addition to that, drawing light to the fact that most men were (and are) threatened by what their wives bring to the table (then and now). The key is not to “put them in their place”, that’s awfully prideful. The key is to realize the gift they are to us.

They key, however in this scripture is found in the treatment of our wives, which Peter reminds us are heirs with us in this gracious gift of life. An heir is a “participant in common”. This does not illustrate a hierarchy of any kind, but a team. He tells us to treat them with respect. Translated literally to give value, honor, and dignity. These are three very distinct offerings.

Another thought about how Peter calls certain wives, “weaker vessels”. The word “weaker” which is “asthenes” in the Greek, does indeed mean “without strength”, but we must also look at the root of this word to find it’s intention, it comes from the word “sthenoo” which means to “strengthen or confirm in spiritual knowledge and power”.

Peter’s intent was not only to draw attention to their shortcomings, if it was anything like today, many of our wives outshine us on any given day. Let’s not forget the list of amazing women of faith that were referenced throughout scripture. His intent was to draw our attention to the opportunities at hand to encourage, value, honor, give dignity, and lead our wives to grow in faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. What an amazing privilege we have in this relationship with our beloved wives.

We should view each of our relationships like this. Why? It honors God.

Finally, when we don’t. What happens? What happens when we do not love others as ourselves, much less our wives? What happens when we disobey the second greatest command that Jesus says was “like” the first? What happens when it’s to our wives? Bottom line, it hinders our relationship with God. Peter clearly says that we should do this, so that “nothing will hinder your prayers.” The word, hinder, literally means to “exscind”. It means to “cut out or off”.

Once again we are reminded how critical it is that we embrace the command of Jesus when he said, “A new command I give to you, that you would love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love on another.”

Father, give us a heart like yours. It’s so easy at times to neglect our own wives. Help us father to give them the respect and love they deserve. Help us to be encouragers, lovers, builders of dignity, vessels of praise, communicators of value. Thank you God, that you view this as worship and that we honor you as we honor our wives.