HEBREW NAME OF ZECHARIAH
Known in the original Hebrew as zekar-yah or ‘God remembers.’ Because God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He will also remember to bless their descendants, the children of Israel.
AUTHOR OF ZECHARIAH
The author of
Zechariah is one of 29 people in Scripture who bear the same name. Born of
priestly stock in the Babylonian exile, he returned to Judah (Nehemiah 11:4;
12:16) with Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel. His ministry was recorded in
Ezra 5:1 and 6:14. He is a younger version of Haggai and also encouraged the
rebuilding of the temple in 516 BC. Though some commentators say he is the same
Zechariah who was martyred ‘between the temple and the altar’ (Matthew
23:35), the one murdered in II Chronicles 24:20-21 lived earlier.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN ZECHARIAH
Zechariah provides extensive and important portraits of Christ. Some of the most important ones are:
•
Christ the righteous
branch (3:8);
•
Christ the coming king
(9:9)
•
The angel of the Lord
(3:1-2)
•
The stone with seven
eyes (3:9)
•
King-Priest (6:13);
•
Lowly king (9:9-10;
13:7; Matthew 21:5; 26:31,56)
•
Battle bow (10:4);
•
Betrayed and rejected
(11:12-13; Matthew 26:15; 27:9-10)
•
Good shepherd, sold for
30 pieces of silver (11:4-13)
•
Pierced and struck down
(12:10; 13:7; Matthew 26:31,56; John 19:37);
•
Cleansing fountain
(13:1);
•
Wounded in the house of
friends (13:6);
•
Smitten, abandoned
shepherd (13:7);
•
Restores Israel by His
blood of the new covenant (9:11; Mark 14:24);
•
Coming in glory as
judge & king (14:1-6; Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 19:15);
• King of Israel and the world (14:6-19; Revelation 11:15; 21:24-26; 22:1-5)
Kingdom of Christ
•
Over all the earth
(14:9);
•
Plenty of rain (10:1);
•
Holy Spirit poured out
on Israel (12:10);
•
Israel will finally see
the One Whom they have pierced (12:10);
•
Geographic and
topographic changes (14:4-5, 10-11);
•
Kingdom established on
earth (14:9-15);
• Jerusalem the capital of the world and centre of worship (14:16-17)
THEME OF THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH
Prepare for the coming warrior-king, who will establish His kingdom over Israel and the nations.
KEY VERSES OF ZECHARIAH
Zechariah 8:3 (KJV): Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
Zechariah 9:9 (NKJV): Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.
SUMMARY OF ZECHARIAH
In the first part of his prophecy (chapters 1-8), a young Zechariah exhorts the Judeans to rebuild the temple and return to the Lord. As they come close to God, He will come close to them (James 4:8). He offers eight visions of which the first five are comforting and the last three signify judgement. This is a constant with the Hebrew prophets: judgment and mercy, condemnation and consolation, cursing and blessing. God is giving us a choice (Deuteronomy 30:19)!
The second part (chapters 9-14) have a clear end-time context. This come as two oracles. The first oracle (9-11) speaks of Messiah and the salvation of Israel. Though His coming is announced, Messiah will clearly be rejected, wounded, and struck down.
The second oracle (12-14) speaks of Israel mourning for the One whom they have pierced (12:10). A fountain of cleansing will open up to David’s house (13:1). Jerusalem, Messiah’s capital, will become the centrepiece of international controversy and conflict. Messiah returns, wins the battle, makes a victory ascent on the Mount of Olives, and commences His worldwide reign. The nations will come visiting Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles (14:16).
OUTLINE OF ZECHARIAH
Part One: Prophecies regarding the rebuilding of the Temple (1:1-8:23)
I. Introduction (1:1-6)
II. Eight night visions (1:7-6:8)
A. Vision One:
Horseman among the Myrtle Trees (1:7-17)
B. Vision Two:
Four horns and four smiths/craftsmen (1:18-21)
C. Vision
Three: Man and Measuring Line for Jerusalem (2:1-13)
D. Vision
Four: Joshua the High Priest cleansed before the Lord (3:1-10)
E. Vision
Five: Golden candlestick and two Olive Trees (4:1-14)
F. Vision
Six: The Flying Scroll (5:1-4);
G. Vision
Seven: The woman & ephod/basket (5:5-11);
H. Vision Eight: Four Chariots (6:1-8)
III. Joshua Coronated as High Priest (6:9-15)
IV. Four Messages (7:1-8:23)
A. Fasting, obedience, and justice (7:1-7)
B. Disobedience and judgment (7:8-14)
C. Repentance and blessing of God’s people (8:1-17)
D. Fasts led to restoration and feasts (8:18-23)
Part Two: Prophecies Regarding Israel and Coming Messiah (9:1-14:21)
V. First Burden of the Lord (9:1-11:17)
A. God intervenes (9:1-10)
B. Coming King and Saviour (9:11-10:12)
C. Messiah Rejected (11:1-17)
VI. Second Burden of the Lord (12:1-14:21)
A. Israel Mourns, Repents, and Converts (12:1-13:9)
B. Messiah Crowned King of All the Earth (14:1-21)
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