ZECHARIAH

INTRODUCTION: ZECHARIAH was both Priest and Prophet; was probably born in Babylon, son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, he is called in Ezra, son of Iddo, which means he was possibly brought up by his grandfather. The 3 names are significant, Zechariah means “Yahweh Remembers”, Berechiah “Yahweh Blesses” , Iddo “the appointed time”.. As a young man (ch.2-4) he followed Haggai but ministered for a much longer period (between 520/480 BC) 16 years after the first captives returned from Babylon in the 2nd year of Darius, following the 70 years captivity. Zechariah was one of the greatest of ancient inspired seers, his book. being full of the most striking visions in the O.T. He was a great poet and thus a fitting companion to plain practical Haggai.

PURPOSE: Zechariah ministered with Haggai (Ezra 5-11) to stir the remnant to complete the unfinished Temple; in addition his ministry was apocalyptic to the nation (ch.1-8) and prophetic of both the first and second comings of the Jewish Messiah (ch.9-14). There are more specific Messianic predictions in Zechariah than in all the other “minor prophets” combined. Whilst Haggai’s message was one of rebuke dealing with the outward work of rebuilding the Temple, Zechariah’s message was one of encouragement to bring about an inward spiritual change in the people, prophesying, in glowing terms, of the glory to come to Israel in far off ages.

SUMMARY The book breaks down into 5 messages:
1. A call to repentance. Ch.I-v1/6
2. 8 Visions, all given in one night. Chs.I-v7 to ch.VI
3. 4 fold answer to an enquiry by a deputation from Babylon. Chs. VII-VIII
4. Prophecies having both a partial and future fulfillment. Chs. IX-XI
5. Prophecies that are all wholly future. Chs. XII-XIV

The first sections of Zechariah were given while the temple was being rebuilt and are partially fulfilled at that time, including 8 symbolic visions (ch.1-6) and 4 didactic messages (ch.7-8). Chap. 9-14 were given after the Temple was rebuilt and cover both the first coming of Jesus, his rejection, the scattering of Israel, and their “last day” acceptance of their Messiah, and His second coming and the establishment of His glorious Millennial Kingdom.

PROPHECIES OF MESSIAH: As “the Branch” (ch.3:8, Matt,2-23) As “Jehovah’s Servant (ch.3-8, Phil.2-7) As “God’s Shepherd” (ch.13-7, Mk.14-27 John 10-11) As “King-Priest” (ch.6-12/13, Heb.5-5/6) As “Builder of the Spiritual Temple” (ch.6-12/15, Mt.16-18) As “King over all the Earth” (ch.14-9, Rev.19-16). His entrance into Jerusalem (ch.9-9, Matt.21- 4/5) His betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (ch.11-12/13, Matt,27-9/10) His hands and feet pierced (ch.12-10 John 19-37) and cleansing from sin by His death (ch.13-1, John 1-29) In many ways Zechariah is a difficult book to interpret, and we need the full enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, as in ch.4-6 “Not by might, nor by power (nor by intellect), but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts” Ref. John 14-13/14; Eph.1-17/18; 2 Tim.1-7 Let us heed the Word of GOD!. “For all these things happened to them as examples; they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the age have come”. (1 Cor.10-11)

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