The temple was finished in 515 BC. Thirty-five years later, Zechariah received revelations from God with details of future events. It is not a pretty picture, but it is a 'burden' the prophet must bear.
The temple in Jerusalem was being rebuilt but all was not well. A delegation arrives with a question for the priests. Zechariah senses a deeper issue, and God gives him four messages that expose our hearts.
Zechariah's first four visions show God's unwavering compassion for Israel. The second four visions pick up where the first four leave off - with the nation being cleansed from sin. This deeper need for spiritual cleansing is the focus of Zechariah's second four visions.
We finish the foundation of victory over the sin nature established in Romans 6 and move to the power for victory provided by the Holy Spirit in Romans 8.
That's our story today: Joseph heads straight into a predictable disaster! He escapes death, but is sold into slavery. This leads to lies, and his father's grief. But God has a hand in it all.