The Book of
ZECHARIAH
Author: Zechariah
Date: 520-475 B.C.
Theme: The Lord Remembers Zion
Key Words: Jerusalem, the Day of the Lord, That day
Author. Zechariah, whose name means “Yahweh Remembers,” was one of the postexilic prophets, a contemporary of Haggai. With Haggai, he was called to arouse the returned Jews to complete the task of reconstructing the temple (see Ezra 6:14). As the son of Berechaiah and grandson of Iddo, he came from one of the priestly families of the tribe of Levi. He is one of the most messianic of all the Old Testament prophets, giving distinct, verifiable references to the coming Messiah.
Date. Zechariah’s prophetic ministry began in 520 b.c., two months after Haggai had completed his prophecy. The vision of the early chapters was apparently given while the prophet was still a young man (see 2:4). Chapters 7 and 8 occur two years later in 518 b.c. The reference to Greece in 9:13 may indicate that chapters 9-14 were written after 480 b.c., when Greece replaced Persia as the great world power. The prophecies comprising the Book of Zechariah were reduced to writing between 520 and 475 b.c.
Background. The exiles who returned to their homeland in 536 b.c. under the edict of Cyrus were among the poorer of the Jewish captives. Some fifty thousand people returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. Quickly they rebuilt the altar and began construction on the temple. Soon, however, apathy set in as they were beset with opposition from the neighboring Samaritans who eventually were able to get an order from the Persian government to halt construction. For about twelve years construction had been choked by discouragement and preoccupation with other pursuits. Zechariah and Haggai urged the people to return to the Lord and His purpose to restore the ruined temple. Zechariah encouraged God’s people by pointing them to a day when the Messiah would rule from a restored temple in a restored city.
Content. The Book of Zechariah begins with the impassioned word of the Lord for the people to repent and turn again to their God. The book is replete with Zechariah’s references to the word of the Lord. The prophet does not deliver his own message, but he faithfully transmits the message given to him by God. The people are called on to repent of their lethargy and complete the unfinished task.
God then assures His people of His love and care for them through a series of eight visions. The vision of the man and the horses reminds the people of God’s watchful care. The vision of the four horns and four craftsmen recalls God’s judgment, first on Judah and then on her enemies. In the vision of the man with the measuring line there is an apocalyptic glimpse of God’s beautiful, peaceful city. Joshua, the high priest, portrays cleansing from sin. The magnificent vision of the lampstand among the olive trees assures Zerubbabel that God’s purposes will be accomplished only by His Spirit. The flying scroll emits God’s pronouncement against stealing and lying. The vision of the women in a basket signifies the holiness of God and the removal of sin.The vision of the four chariots depicts God’s sovereign control over the Earth.
The visions are followed by a coronation scene in which Joshua is crowned as both king and priest. This is powerfully symbolic of the coming Messiah.
In chapters 7 and 8 God takes the occasion of a question concerning fasting to reinforce His mandate for justice and righteousness to supersede religious formalities.
Chapters 9-14 contain much eschatology (the study of the last things). Zion is restored and radiates the glory of her ruling King. Two prophetic messages emerge. The first prophecy, or “burden,” is in chapters 9-11. God will deliver His people (ch. 9), there will be a restoration of prosperity for the people of God (ch. 10), and, the Shepherd of Israel will initially be rejected, bringing great desolation (ch. 11). The second prophecy is in chapters 12-14. Again God delivers His people, and they mourn for the One they have piered (ch. 12). A fountain is then opened to cleanse from sin and uncleanness (ch. 13). Then the Lord will reign from a restored Zion as King over all nations (ch. 14).
Personal Application. Zechariah challenges his contemporaries and he challenges us to complete the task God has given us. This entails repentance for neglecting the building up of the house of God. Under the New Covenant,we are to give ourselves to the restoration and cleansing of the temple of God individually and corporately in the church. The glory of God emanating from a restored Zion is not the result of human ingenuity but rather the renewing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Many Bible students believe the promises of a restored Zion are to apply primarily to a cleansed, invigorated church. A fountain of cleansing is opened to all who repent and look the the One who was pierced for them. William Cowper received the inspiration for the hymn “There Is a Fountain” from this beautiful truth in 13:1. As we live in harmony with God’s purpose to restore what has lain desolate, we rest in the assurance that God sovereignly governs the affairs of Earth. The smitten Shepherd will be worshiped as King, and Israel will receive her Messiah.The task of world evangelization will be accomplished. Jesus shall reign.
Christ Revealed. Zechariah is sometimes referred to as the most messianic of all the Old Testament books. Chapters 9-14 are the most quoted section of the Prophets in the passion narratives of the Gospels. In the Revelation Zechariahis quoted more than any prophet except Ezekiel.
Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will come as the Lord’s Servant the Branch (3:8), as the Man the Branch (6:12); as both King and Priest (6:13), and as the True Shepherd (11:4-11). He bears eloquent testimony to Christ’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (11:12, 13),His crucifixion (12:10), His sufferings (13:7), and His Second Advent (14:4).
Two references to Christ are of profound significance. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is described in detail in 9:9, four hundred years before the event (see Matt. 21:5; Mark 11:7-10). One of the most dramatic verses of prophetic Scriptures is found in 12:10 when in the majority of manuscripts the firstperson is used: “Then they will look on Me whom they pierced.” Jesus Christ personally prophesied His eventual reception by the house of David.
The Holy Spirit at Work. The most often quoted Old Testament verse in reference to the work of the Holy Spirit is 4:6. Zerubbabel is comforted in the assurances 1) that the rebuilding of the temple will not be by military might or human prowess but by the ministry of the Spirit of God; 2) that the Holy Spirit will remove ever obstacle that stands against the completion of God’s temple.
A sad commentary in 7:12 reminds the people of their rebellion against the words of the Lord delivered by the prophets. These words were transmitted by His Spirit.
Although the reference to ruach (spirit/Spirit)in 12:10 is translated by some as God’s disposition rather than as the Holy Spirit, others translate it as the Holy Spirit. As such it is one of the most beautiful titles for the Holy Spirit found in Scripture. God’s promise is to pour on the house of David and Jerusalem’s population “the Spirit of grace and supplication.” This immediately precedes their reception and mourning over the One they had pierced. The preparation of the heart by the Holy Spirit is always antecedent to conversion.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
ZECHARIAH
Author: Zechariah
Date: 520-475 B.C.
Theme: The Lord Remembers Zion
Key Words: Jerusalem, the Day of the Lord, That day
Author. Zechariah, whose name means “Yahweh Remembers,” was one of the postexilic prophets, a contemporary of Haggai. With Haggai, he was called to arouse the returned Jews to complete the task of reconstructing the temple (see Ezra 6:14). As the son of Berechaiah and grandson of Iddo, he came from one of the priestly families of the tribe of Levi. He is one of the most messianic of all the Old Testament prophets, giving distinct, verifiable references to the coming Messiah.
Date. Zechariah’s prophetic ministry began in 520 b.c., two months after Haggai had completed his prophecy. The vision of the early chapters was apparently given while the prophet was still a young man (see 2:4). Chapters 7 and 8 occur two years later in 518 b.c. The reference to Greece in 9:13 may indicate that chapters 9-14 were written after 480 b.c., when Greece replaced Persia as the great world power. The prophecies comprising the Book of Zechariah were reduced to writing between 520 and 475 b.c.
Background. The exiles who returned to their homeland in 536 b.c. under the edict of Cyrus were among the poorer of the Jewish captives. Some fifty thousand people returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. Quickly they rebuilt the altar and began construction on the temple. Soon, however, apathy set in as they were beset with opposition from the neighboring Samaritans who eventually were able to get an order from the Persian government to halt construction. For about twelve years construction had been choked by discouragement and preoccupation with other pursuits. Zechariah and Haggai urged the people to return to the Lord and His purpose to restore the ruined temple. Zechariah encouraged God’s people by pointing them to a day when the Messiah would rule from a restored temple in a restored city.
Content. The Book of Zechariah begins with the impassioned word of the Lord for the people to repent and turn again to their God. The book is replete with Zechariah’s references to the word of the Lord. The prophet does not deliver his own message, but he faithfully transmits the message given to him by God. The people are called on to repent of their lethargy and complete the unfinished task.
God then assures His people of His love and care for them through a series of eight visions. The vision of the man and the horses reminds the people of God’s watchful care. The vision of the four horns and four craftsmen recalls God’s judgment, first on Judah and then on her enemies. In the vision of the man with the measuring line there is an apocalyptic glimpse of God’s beautiful, peaceful city. Joshua, the high priest, portrays cleansing from sin. The magnificent vision of the lampstand among the olive trees assures Zerubbabel that God’s purposes will be accomplished only by His Spirit. The flying scroll emits God’s pronouncement against stealing and lying. The vision of the women in a basket signifies the holiness of God and the removal of sin.The vision of the four chariots depicts God’s sovereign control over the Earth.
The visions are followed by a coronation scene in which Joshua is crowned as both king and priest. This is powerfully symbolic of the coming Messiah.
In chapters 7 and 8 God takes the occasion of a question concerning fasting to reinforce His mandate for justice and righteousness to supersede religious formalities.
Chapters 9-14 contain much eschatology (the study of the last things). Zion is restored and radiates the glory of her ruling King. Two prophetic messages emerge. The first prophecy, or “burden,” is in chapters 9-11. God will deliver His people (ch. 9), there will be a restoration of prosperity for the people of God (ch. 10), and, the Shepherd of Israel will initially be rejected, bringing great desolation (ch. 11). The second prophecy is in chapters 12-14. Again God delivers His people, and they mourn for the One they have piered (ch. 12). A fountain is then opened to cleanse from sin and uncleanness (ch. 13). Then the Lord will reign from a restored Zion as King over all nations (ch. 14).
Personal Application. Zechariah challenges his contemporaries and he challenges us to complete the task God has given us. This entails repentance for neglecting the building up of the house of God. Under the New Covenant,we are to give ourselves to the restoration and cleansing of the temple of God individually and corporately in the church. The glory of God emanating from a restored Zion is not the result of human ingenuity but rather the renewing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Many Bible students believe the promises of a restored Zion are to apply primarily to a cleansed, invigorated church. A fountain of cleansing is opened to all who repent and look the the One who was pierced for them. William Cowper received the inspiration for the hymn “There Is a Fountain” from this beautiful truth in 13:1. As we live in harmony with God’s purpose to restore what has lain desolate, we rest in the assurance that God sovereignly governs the affairs of Earth. The smitten Shepherd will be worshiped as King, and Israel will receive her Messiah.The task of world evangelization will be accomplished. Jesus shall reign.
Christ Revealed. Zechariah is sometimes referred to as the most messianic of all the Old Testament books. Chapters 9-14 are the most quoted section of the Prophets in the passion narratives of the Gospels. In the Revelation Zechariahis quoted more than any prophet except Ezekiel.
Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will come as the Lord’s Servant the Branch (3:8), as the Man the Branch (6:12); as both King and Priest (6:13), and as the True Shepherd (11:4-11). He bears eloquent testimony to Christ’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (11:12, 13),His crucifixion (12:10), His sufferings (13:7), and His Second Advent (14:4).
Two references to Christ are of profound significance. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is described in detail in 9:9, four hundred years before the event (see Matt. 21:5; Mark 11:7-10). One of the most dramatic verses of prophetic Scriptures is found in 12:10 when in the majority of manuscripts the firstperson is used: “Then they will look on Me whom they pierced.” Jesus Christ personally prophesied His eventual reception by the house of David.
The Holy Spirit at Work. The most often quoted Old Testament verse in reference to the work of the Holy Spirit is 4:6. Zerubbabel is comforted in the assurances 1) that the rebuilding of the temple will not be by military might or human prowess but by the ministry of the Spirit of God; 2) that the Holy Spirit will remove ever obstacle that stands against the completion of God’s temple.
A sad commentary in 7:12 reminds the people of their rebellion against the words of the Lord delivered by the prophets. These words were transmitted by His Spirit.
Although the reference to ruach (spirit/Spirit)in 12:10 is translated by some as God’s disposition rather than as the Holy Spirit, others translate it as the Holy Spirit. As such it is one of the most beautiful titles for the Holy Spirit found in Scripture. God’s promise is to pour on the house of David and Jerusalem’s population “the Spirit of grace and supplication.” This immediately precedes their reception and mourning over the One they had pierced. The preparation of the heart by the Holy Spirit is always antecedent to conversion.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
