Zechariah

Introduction and the Context of the Book

Zechariah, the son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo, began his ministry as a priest in Jerusalem (Zechariah1:1).  Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:16) identified him as the head of the priestly family of Iddo, descendants of Levi.  Ezra 5:1 states that Zechariah and prophet Haggai prophesied to the Jews in Jerusalem and Judah in the name of the God of Israel.  Thus, Zechariah marked the beginning of his prophetic ministry along with his priestly ministry in his early years.  According to Jewish tradition, Zechariah was much younger in age compared to prophet Haggai.  God spoke to His people and their leaders (Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest) through His servants Haggai and Zechariah to restart the rebuilding of the temple without any further delay.  The rebuilding was halted due to strong opposition from the Samaritans and other neighboring nations.  As a result, under the leadership of Zerubbabel the governor, and Joshua the high priest, the Jews restarted the rebuilding task (Ezra 5:2), completed it, and dedicated it in 516 BC (Ezra 6:14-15).  Thus, the historical setting of the book of Haggai and the first part of the book of Zechariah (Zechariah 1-8) are almost the same.   However, the historical setting of the second part of the book (Zechariah 9-14) is different because it was written much later, sometime between 480 and 470 BC.  Zechariah the priest and prophet served the Lord faithfully throughout his life, as a young man as well as an old man.  According to Mathew 23:35, prophet Zechariah was killed between the temple and the altar (which is assigned as the place of intercession) by ungodly temple officials.

Title, Author, and Date of Writing

The book is named after prophet זְכַרְיָה (Zekharyah), son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo (Zechariah 1:1), who is believed to be the author of the book.  The name Zechariah signifies, ‘Yahweh has remembered.’  It is believed that Zechariah wrote the first part of the book as a young man (Zechariah 2:4) in 520 BC, and the second part was written much later between 480 and 470 BC as an old man.

Purpose of Writing

Although there are numerous reasons for God’s revelation to Zechariah, we will be focusing only on two key purposes and their four subdivisions:  

  1. Zechariah 1 – 8 Prophecy regarding rebuilding the Temple (written approximately 520 – 518 BC) 
    1. to invite the Jews in Jerusalem to restart the rebuilding of the Temple
    2. to encourage the Jews to continue the rebuilding task until it is completed
  2. Zechariah 9 – 14 Prophecy regarding Israel’s life in the light of the coming Messiah-King (written approximately 480 – 470 BC) 
    1. to reassure the Jews that the coming of Messiah is definite and not to lose heart when the Messiah’s coming is delayed
    2. to reveal the purpose of Messiah’s coming – to be enthroned as King 

Contents of the Book

The book has two major divisions with numerous sub-divisions and they are as follows:

  1. Part One (Zechariah 1:1 – 8:23) An Invitation to Return to the Lord and Rebuild the Temple
    1. Introduction: The revelation of God’s desire to return to His people if they return to Him (Zechariah 1:1-6)
    2. Zechariah’s Eight Visions, under two categories, regarding the rebuilding of the Temple and God’s assurance of His compassionate care over His people (Zechariah 1:7-6:8).  These eight visions are divided into two groups, and they are as follows: 
      • The first group, consisting of the first five visions, conveys hope and consolation for God’s people (Zechariah 1:7-4:14): [There are various interpretations regarding these visions]
  • Vision # 1 (Zechariah 1:7-17) The man on a red horse among the Myrtle trees: Some believe that the Man on the red horse is the manifestation of Christ as the angel of the Lord interceding for Jerusalem since its fall in 586 BC and during the 70 years of God’s judgement.  As a result, the temple was rebuilt and dedicated in 516 BC, that is, about 70 years after its fall.  
  • Vision # 2 (Zechariah 1:18-21) The four horns and four craftsmen: The four horns that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem are Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, and Medo-Persia.  The four craftsmen represent the four empires that brought God’s judgement on the horns.  
  • Vision # 3 (Zechariah 2:1-13) A man with a measuring line: The man with measuring line evaluates the condition of Jerusalem but Jerusalem’s conditions had not changed even after the exiles return to Jerusalem.  The city was still not repaired or rebuilt – the walls were broken.  With this in mind, this vision signifies the future glory of Jerusalem where the Lord Himself will be the wall around it.  The entire city will become the temple and it will be filled with His presence and glory forever.  Israel will be like the apple of His eyes and they will be under His protective care.
  • Vision # 4 (Zechariah 3:1-10) The cleansing of Joshua the high priest: In this vision, Joshua represents the nation of Israel before God and Satan stood near him to accuse him and point out the weaknesses – dirt or filth.  Although Joshua could not rebuke Satan, God Himself resists and rebukes Satan by stating that “Joshua (Israel) was a burning stick snatched from the fire” (Zechariah 3:2).  Jesus Christ, in the form of the angel of the Lord, stands nearby as Joshua is cleansed.   Zechariah 3:8-9 narrates the Servant, Branch, and the Stone – the Messiah, who is able to cleanse the sins of humanity in one day.  
  • Vision # 5 (Zechariah 4:1-14) The Gold Lamp stand and Two Olive Trees: The two olive trees represent Zerubbabel and Joshua and their royal and priestly ministries.  The vision signifies that Zerubbabel and Joshua as leaders of Israel must encourage the people to live a righteous and spirit-filled life the way the olive trees provide continuous flow of oil to light up the lamps.  Deliverance comes only through God’s power and by His spirit – not by might nor by power (Zechariah 4:6).  Problems like mighty mountains can be overcome by the power of the Spirit.
      • The second group, consisting of the three remaining visions, reveals God’s judgement (Zechariah 5:1-6:8) 
  • Vision # 6 (Zechariah 5:1-4) The flying scroll: This vision signifies that although God is loving, merciful, and patient with His people, He will judge those who do not obey His commands and those who live righteously.
  • Vision # 7 (Zechariah 5:5-11) The measuring basket and the woman in it: The measuring basket signifies the widespread sin and immorality among God’s people.  The woman in the basket represents idolatry and wickedness in the godless world system that is subjugated by Satan.  However, in the end God will judge the world and Christ will reign forever.
  • Vision # 8 (Zechariah 6:1-8) The four spirits and four chariots between two bronze mountains: The chariots with war horses and the bronze mountains represents the coming of God’s judgment upon the earth.  The four spirits represent four angelic beings who stand in the presence of God.  The four chariots and the colors of the horses represent God’s judgement and victory.  The first chariot with the red horse represents war, the second chariot with the black horse going towards the north country represents God’s judgement through famine and death, the third chariot with the white horse going westward represents the victory of God’s representatives, and the fourth chariot with dappled horse (speckled or spotted) going southward represents God’s judgment through plagues.  
    1. The Coronation of the high priest and its prophetic significance (Zechariah 6:9-15): Prophet Zechariah was commanded by God to make a crown and place it on the head of Joshua, the high priest.  This act symbolizes the crowning and the beginning of the reign of Jesus.  Jesus will initially do the priestly work of atonement for sin, then He will rule His people.  
    2. Two specific messages (Zechariah 7:1 – 8:23): 
      1. Zechariah’s message regarding fasting and to practice social justice (Zechariah 7:1-14)
      2. Zechariah’s message regarding the restoration of Jews and Zion (Zechariah 8:1-23)
  1. Part Two (Zechariah 9:1 – 14:21) Two Oracles regarding Israel’s future and the coming Messiah 
    1. The first oracle (Zechariah 9:1-11:17): The prophecy of promise concerning Messianic salvation for Israel
      1. The triumphant entry of Israel’s King (Zechariah 9:1-10)
      2. The announcement of the Lord’s appearance (Zechariah 9:11-10:12)
      3. Messiah would be rejected and struck (Zechariah 11:1-17)
    2. The second oracle (Zechariah 12:1 – 14:21): The prophecy regarding the restoration and conversion of Israel 
      1. The mourning over God Himself – for the one they pierced (Zechariah 12:1-14)
      2. The confession: The Lord is our God: Cleansing from sin and conversion (Zechariah 13:1-9)
      3. The beginning of the reign of Messiah, the Everlasting King who will reign over Israel forever (Zechariah 14:1-21)

Highlights of the Book of Zechariah

  • Messianic: 
    • Only the book of Isaiah narrates more detailed prophecies about Messiah than Zechariah
    • The book of Zechariah records most clearly the Messianic references, more than any other Old Testament book.  For instance, 
      • He will come in a humble and lowly manner (Zechariah 9:9, 13:7) [New Testament reference – Matthew 21:5, 26:31, 56] 
      • He will restore Israel as per the promise (Zechariah 9:11) [New Testament reference – Mark 14:24] 
      • He will shepherd the scattered sheep of God’s household (Zechariah 10:2) [New Testament reference – Matthew 9:36] 
      • He will be betrayed, rejected, and struck down (Zechariah 11:12-13, 12:10, 13:7) [Matthew 26:15, 31, 56 ; John 19:37] 
      • The price of Messiah’s betrayal (30 silver coins) as “handsome price at which they priced me” (Zechariah 11:13), 
      • His atoning death at the hands of the Jews, and their resulting salvation (Zechariah 12:10-13:9) [New Testament reference – Romans 11:25-27]
      • His return to glory (Zechariah 14:1-6) [New Testament reference – Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 19:15] 
      • The climax of Zechariah’s prophecy about Messiah is the presentation of Messiah as the great Warrior-King who will establish His Eternal Kingdom of peace and righteousness (Zechariah 14:6-19) [New Testament reference – Revelation 11:15, 21:24-26, 22:1-5]
  • The end-time events: 
    • The book of Zechariah, when compared with the rest of the minor prophets, contains very specific prophecies regarding end-time events
    • The book of Zechariah is very similar to the books of Daniel and Revelation in its presentation of the visions and its symbolic language 

Zechariah 14:4, “On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.”

Acts 1: 9-12, “After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.  They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them, “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.” 

Mathew 27:51, “At the time of His death the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The earth shook and the rocks split.  The tombs broke open…” 

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