The state of the earth
"Then they spoke to the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, 'We have patrolled the earth, and lo, the whole earth remains at peace.' Then the angel of the LORD said, 'O LORD of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which you have been angry these seventy years?' Then the LORD replied with gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me." (Zechariah 1:11-13 NRSVA)
Study questions:
(1) Zechariah mentioned a man "riding a red horse" and "standing among the myrtle trees" (v 8). When they answer "We have patrolled..." who is speaking? Who is the "we"?
(2) Even though Zechariah is the one who is asking questions about the vision, the speakers give their answer to the angel. Why didn't they respond directly to Zechariah?
(3) Why would they report that "the whole earth remains at peace"? Was this an era of peace? The Jewish people were likely captives of Darius. What are the speakers referring to?
