Zechariah

Zechariah

Brochure

Zechariah 1-14

I. Introduction

  1. Zechariah was ministering at the same time as the prophet Haggai.
    1. He was a priest as well as a prophet.
    2. This was a time of rebuilding the temple and the city itself.
  2. Information about the book
    1. This is one of the most quoted books in the New Testament.

      “… with only fourteen chapters, is quoted about forty times in the NT. Doubtless this is due especially to the fact that the book is so messianic, certainly the most Christ-centered of the Minor Prophets.”[1]

    2. Zechariah has many significant prophecies about Jesus.

      “Zechariah’s notable prophecies concerning the Messiah foretell His entry into Jerusalem (9:9); His betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (11:12, 13); His death as the stricken Shepherd (13:7); His coming again to the Mount of Olives (14:4); His Millennial Reign as High Priest and King (14:9).”[2]
  3. The “Lord of Hosts” is used 52 times.
  4. About the construction
    1. The people returned from Babylon in 538 BC.
    2. By 536 BC, they had made an initial repair to the foundation (Ezra 3:8-13).
    3. In 520 BC, Haggai stirs up the people to get back to work.
      1. At this same time, Zechariah encourages Zerubbabel that God would enable Him by the Spirit to accomplish this monumental task.
    4. In 516/515 BC, the temple was completed.

II. vv. 1-6 Return to the Lord

  1. vv. 1-6 The invitation to return to the Lord
    1. v. 3 Evidently, the problems that were addressed by Haggai were either deeper than the short book records, or some other matters needed to be dealt with.

      3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.

    2. vv. 4-6 The previous generation had dismissed the word of the Lord, but history had proven who was right. God’s word remained sure.

      4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord. 5 “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 Yet surely My words and My statutes, Which I commanded My servants the prophets, Did they not overtake your fathers? “So they returned and said: ‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us, According to our ways and according to our deeds, So He has dealt with us.’ ” ’ ”

    3. There is a reminder of the need to return to the Lord when He calls for us to repent.
      1. The Lord had been displeased with the sins of Judah’s forefathers, yet if this generation would RETURN to the Lord, the Lord would RETURN to them.

III. Chs 1:7-6:8 Eight visions

  1. Ch 1:7-17 Red horsemen among the myrtle trees
    1. The coming judgment on the nations and promises of restoration for Israel.
  2. Ch 1:18-21 The four horns and the craftsman
    1. More judgment on the nations that afflicted Israel
    2. Nations suggested
      1. Perhaps Assyria, Egypt, Babylonia, and Medo-Persia. These nations represent the nations that harassed Israel before the days of Zechariah.
      2. Another possibility is to see these nations as referring to the nations mentioned in Daniel 2 and 7.
        1. Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and the unnamed empire most commonly thought to be Rome.
  3. Ch 2 A man with a measuring line
    1. There are promises of blessing and restoration.
    2. Jerusalem will be inhabited and bring the nation back into the land from the winds of heaven.
  4. Ch 3 Joshua is given clean clothes
    1. This symbolizes the cleansing that the Lord wants to bring to Israel.
    2. Israel’s sin is symbolically illustrated by Joshua’s filthy clothes.
  5. Ch 4 Golden lampstand with two olive trees
    1. vv. 1-14 Power for service

      1 Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. 3 Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” 4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” 6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ” 8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” 11 Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?” 12 And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?” 13 Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” 14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”[3]

    2. Explanation of the symbols of this vision
      1. The lampstand is the temple.
        1. This lampstand was automatically filled by the two olive trees.
        2. Normally, the priests would tend to the oil.
      2. The two olive trees are Joshua and Zerubbabel.
      3. The oil is the Spirit.
    3. This vision is all about how the Lord will empower Zerubbabel and Joshua to finish the building of the temple through the power of the Holy Spirit.
      1. These two men, who were facing incredible difficulties, are promised that they would see this work accomplished by the aid of the Holy Spirit.

        “The angel explains that the current ruler, Zerubbabel, will overcome huge obstacles and complete the temple. This will be accomplished, he continues, not by power or might, but by the Spirit of God (4:6).”[4]

      2. v. 7 speaks of the joy and shouts that acknowledge the grace of God in accomplishing this building project.
        1. Nothing will stand in the way of what the Lord wants to accomplish.
      3. Today, the church and each believer need the work of the Holy Spirit to see the temple built.
        1. The Spirit convicts us of sin and leads us to Christ.
        2. The Spirit indwells us, seals us, and sanctifies us.
        3. The Spirit also empowers us.
          • These two servants had an endless supply of oil coming to them for the task at hand.
          • It is this power that seems to be so lacking in the church today.
  6. Ch 5:1-4 The flying scroll
    1. This vision speaks of the judgment that will be upon those who break the law of God.
      1. This specifically speaks of stealing and bearing false witness.
      2. During the Millennium, unrighteousness will not be tolerated.
  7. Ch 5:5-11 The woman and the measuring basket
    1. This vision denounces the wickedness.
      1. Some see this basket as symbolic of commercial corruption and greed.
  8. Ch 6:1-8 The four chariots
    1. This is judgment on Gentile nations.

IV. Ch 6:9-15 Symbolic crowning of Joshua

11 Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest

  1. Many commentators agree that this crowning of Joshua is a foreshadowing of the crowning of Jesus as the Priestly King at His Second Coming.
  2. When Jesus comes back to earth, He will rightfully be the Kingly Priest.
    1. He was our mediator between the Father and will be the King of the earth.
    2. There will be no separation between State and Church!

V. Chs 7-8 The subject is fasting.

  1. Ch 7:1-3 Inquiry about fasting traditions
    1. For the last 70 years, they had been fasting, and now that the temple is being rebuilt, they are wondering if they are required to keep fasting.
    2. The Lord calls into question their self-imposed fast and challenges them that this was not really for Him but for themselves.
    3. What God was really interested in was obedience.
    4. Rituals are only meaningful if it relates to true worship from a person’s heart.
  2. Ch 8:18-23 Fourth message
    1. The Lord now answers the delegation from Bethel about the fast.
    2. The four fasts mentioned:
      1. Tenth month – siege of Jerusalem
      2. Fourth month – the capture
      3. The fifth month – the destruction
      4. The seventh month – murder of Gedaliah
    3. The Lord says these fasts should be turned into cheerful feasting.
      1. When true repentance has happened, we should celebrate the work of the Lord.
    4. The closing verses speak of how Israel will finally be used to be a nation of priests that brings the nations of the world to the Lord.
      1. This seems to look to the Millennial reign when Israel is saved and confesses Jesus as their Messiah.

VI. Ch 9

  1. Chapters 9-14 are prophecies that deal with the first and second comings of Christ.
    1. This is not the exclusive topic of these chapters, for there are prophecies related to events of Alexander the Great and others.
  2. Ch 9:1-8 Surrounding nations judged
  3. v. 9 Promise of Jesus coming as their King at his first advent.

    9 “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.
    1. This was fulfilled on Palm Sunday.
      1. Riding on a donkey was symbolic of one who came in peace.
      2. If a conquering general was riding into town, he would come riding on a horse, but if a king was coming in peace, it would be upon a donkey.
      3. So, Jesus’ coming to the people was in peace.
      4. Of course, Revelation tells us that when He returns at His Second Coming, it will be upon a horse.
    2. The event we are reading about, known as Palm Sunday or the Triumphal Entry, was a prophesied event from Daniel 9.
    3. A close study of Daniel gives us a specific day when the Messiah would arrive on the scene.
    4. This prophecy is amazing, and yet Israel missed their appointed meeting with the Messiah.

      Luke 19:42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.43 “For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,  44 “and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
      1. God wanted Israel to know peace, but instead, they were promised trouble.
  4. Ch 9:10 This is a look into the future peace at Christ’s Second Coming.
    1. v. 10 is at least 1900 years after v. 9.

      10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim And the horse from Jerusalem; The battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
      1. The great hope associated with the coming King is that He will overthrow those oppressive armies that Israel has faced throughout her existence as a nation.
      2. This, of course, will be fulfilled at the Second Coming.

        “Unknown to this remarkable prophet Zechariah, there would be a gap between 9:9 and 9:10. God would stop the Jewish clock and between the two verses insert an age of grace. He would give birth to the church, an entity of which the Old Testament prophets never dreamed even in their most inspired raptures.”[5]
  5. Ch 9:11-12 The Lord promises to deliver Israel because of the covenant he has made with Israel.

    11 As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you.
    1. We can expect that God will be every bit as faithful to the promises of those covenants as we would expect Him to be faithful to the salvation covenant we are in with Him today.

VII. Chs 10-11

  1. Overview
    1. Ch 10 highlights the blessings that the Messiah would bring.
    2. Ch 11 explains why there was a delay between Jesus’ two comings.
  2. Ch 10:1-11 The prophecy of a coming judgment without deliverance.
    1. This is the devastation that most likely happened in AD 70.
    2. The reason for this devastation is forthcoming, but in short, it is because of the rejection of the one who came riding on a donkey as their King.
  3. Ch 11:12-13 Jesus was betrayed

    12 Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.
    1. vv. 12-13 The rejected shepherd asked for his wages of 30 pieces of silver in v. 12.
    2. This betrayal was fulfilled by Judas.
  4. Ch 11:15-17 Israel given a foolish shepherd

    15 And the LORD said to me, “Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. 16 “For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the landwho will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces.
    1. Israel rejected the Good Shepherd, and now they will endure a ruthless shepherd.

      Daniel 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.

    2. v. 17 The doom of the Antichrist

      17 “Woe to the worthless shepherd, Who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm And against his right eye; His arm shall completely wither, And his right eye shall be totally blinded.”
      1. Rev 13:3, 12-14 refer to mortal wounds sustained by the Antichrist that do not take his life.
      2. The Antichrist will be powerless against THE CHRIST when He returns to rescue Israel.

        Matthew 23:39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’

VIII. Ch 12

  1. Overview
    1. This section deals with the last days’ trouble for Israel.
    2. The turning of Israel to Jesus as their Messiah.
    3. Christ’s Second Coming.
    4. The defeat of the Antichrist and the nations that have gathered to destroy Israel in the battle of Armageddon.
    5. The physical changes that will take place on the earth at the Second Coming of Christ.
    6. The pure worship of Jesus that will accompany the thousand-year reign of Christ.
  2. vv. 2-4 Jerusalem vs. the world

    2 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. 4 In that day,” says the LORD, “I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.”
    1. This prophecy deals with the “Day of the Lord.”
      1. Sixteen times there is a reference to this day.
      2. A day that will be at the start of Daniel’s 70th week and run through the Great Tribulation, Second Advent, and the Millennial reign of Christ.
    2. Israel will be the focus of the world in the last days of man’s history.
      1. The nations of the world will gather to destroy Israel.
        1. This is not hard to believe, as we often hear the call for Israel to be driven into the sea by her Arab neighbors.
        2. All who seek to come against Jerusalem will fail because the Lord will deliver.
    3. This event has never happened.
      1. It certainly did not take place in AD 70.
      2. This great trouble for the nations of the world that would like to destroy Jerusalem is clearly an unfulfilled prophetic event that the Book of Revelation spends a great deal of time discussing.
    4. v. 4 This great defeat is spoken of by Daniel, Revelation, and other prophets as well.
      1. Daniel 2:34, 45
      2. Revelation 16, 19
  3. vv. 5-9 The Lord’s defense of Israel

    Revelation 19:11-1611 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

  4. vv. 10-14 Israel repents and acknowledges Jesus

    10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
    1. As the nations gather to destroy Israel, the Lord will open Israel’s eyes.
      1. In this desperate hour, Israel will acknowledge that Jesus is that Blessed One and call upon Him.
    2. Those Jews who are still alive will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus and mourn over their sin.
      1. This is what Paul was referring to in Romans 11 when he spoke of all Israel being saved.
      2. As the Apostle Paul teaches, they will confess Jesus as Lord and be saved (Romans 10-11).

        Romans 11:25-27 25  For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26  And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27  For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”

IX. Ch 13

  1. v. 1 The fountain of salvation

    1 In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.
    1. As Israel mourns for their sin and former rejection of Jesus, they will find cleansing for their sins.
      1. Only God can cleanse.
    2. The fountain was first opened on Mt. Calvary 2000 years ago when the spear was thrust into the side of Jesus, and water and blood flowed out.

      John 19:34-37 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
  2. vv. 2-6 Idolatry will be removed from the earth.
    1. Of course, idolatry will be the last worldwide deception.
      1. The false prophet will have the world worshipping the image of the Antichrist.
  3. v. 7 A cleansing is possible because Jesus was struck.

    7 “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion,” says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.”
    1. My companion

      “The Lord is claiming identity of nature or unity of essence with His Shepherd, thus strongly affirming the Messiah’s deity.”[6]

    2. Jesus quoted from this passage before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:31).
  4. vv. 8-9 The refining fire of the Lord

    8 And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says the LORD, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it: 9 I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’ “
    1. The destruction that will happen to Israel during this time of Jacob’s trouble will be quite devastating.
    2. There are approximately 6 million Jews in Israel right now. This would be about 4 million who will fall under the wicked terror of the Antichrist.
    3. The remnant will call on the Lord, and they will be saved.

      “The surviving remnant will have been purged and purified by the persecutions in the Tribulation, as well as by God’s judgment on living Israel at the Second Advent (cf. Ezek. 20:33–38; Matt. 25:1–30). They will call on the name of the Lord in faith (Zech. 12:10–13:1) and become a restored nation (Rom. 11:26–27). Their renewed covenant relationship with the Lord (Hosea 1–2; Jer. 32:38–41; Ezek. 37:23–28) will be reflected in God’s words, They are My people (cf. Zech. 8:8), and the people’s response, The Lord is our (lit., “my”) God (cf. Hosea 2:21–23).”[7]

X. Ch 14

  1. vv. 1-7 Second Coming of Christ

    1 Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
    1. vv. 1-3 Battle of Armageddon
    2. v. 4 Mount of Olives
      1. This standing upon the Mount of Olives will be the climax of the Second Coming.
      2. This is where the Lord left from and where we will return to.

        Acts 1:11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
    3. It appears that before the Lord arrives at the Mount of Olives, He first delivers the Jews in the wilderness and defeats the nations in Megiddo.
    4. Note the physical changes that will be associated with His coming.
      1. Earthquake
      2. Mt. of Olives will split
      3. Changes in the illumination on the Earth
    5. Jesus will presumably head to the temple.
      1. Remember in Ezekiel when the Spirit of the Lord departed the Temple because of Israel’s sin? Now the Lord will return.
  2. vv. 8-11 Restoration to the earth
  3. vv. 12-15 Victory of Jesus over the nations

    12 And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths. 13 It shall come to pass in that day That a great panic from the LORD will be among them. Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor, And raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand; 14 Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations Shall be gathered together: Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance. 15 Such also shall be the plague On the horse and the mule, On the camel and the donkey, And on all the cattle that will be in those camps. So shall this plague be.
    1. Again, we have a reference to the Day of Destruction that God will bring at His Son’s Second Coming to earth.
    2. We can only guess what causes this terrible destruction, but some have suggested a nuclear bomb.
      1. It may very well be that the glory of God revealed will destroy God’s enemy.
      2. We know that a sword will go forth from the mouth of Jesus upon His return, and maybe this is the result.
    3. Revelation says the Lord will destroy this horde with the sword of His mouth.
      1. Likewise, Paul refers to the destroying force of the breath of the Lord.

        2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
  4. vv. 16-21 Millennial Reign of Christ
    1. The regular practice among the nations that make it through the tribulation will be to come and worship the Lord.
    2. Those who don’t worship will lack rain and fruitfulness and be plagued.

XI. Conclusion

  1. The Lord is faithful to restore and fulfill his covenant with Israel.
  2. We need the same power of the Holy Spirit that was present upon Zechariah as he built the Temple of his day.
  3. Remember your destiny in Jesus Christ. Don’t allow the things of this world to bog you down.

[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1157.

[2] Ibid.

[3] All Scripture quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

[4] J. Daniel Hays and J. Scott Duvall, ed., The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook, (Ada: Baker Publishing Group, 2011), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 450.

[5] John Phillips, Exploring the Minor Prophets: An Expository Commentary (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2002), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 288.

[6] F. Duane Lindsey, “Zechariah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1569.

[7] Ibid.

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