ZECHARIAH at a glance

PURPOSE: To give hope to God’s people by revealing God’s future deliverance thru the coming Messiah. We can read these prophecies, made some 500 years before Christ’s birth, and know God had a plan to save mankind from themselves and their natural predisposition to sin. This is a message of hope, albeit many years prior to its being manifest.

AUTHOR: The prophet Zechariah*

ORIGINAL AUDIENCE: The Jews in Jerusalem who had returned from their captivity in Babylon.

DATE WRITTEN: Chapters 1-8 were written between 520-518 B.C. Chapters 9-14 were written around 480 B.C.

THE SETTING: The exiles had returned from spending 70 years in Babylon to rebuild the Temple, but the work had stalled. Haggai and Zechariah confronted the people with their task and encouraged them to complete it.

SPECIAL NOTE: This book is the most apocalyptic** and messianic of all the minor prophets.

 

THE BLUEPRINT: 

 

A) MESSAGES WHILE REBUILDING THE TEMPLE _{[Zechariah 1:1-8:23]}

B) MESSAGES AFTER COMPLETING THE TEMPLE _{[Zechariah 9:1-14:21)}

 

            Zechariah went about encouraging and edifying the Jewish people, telling them to put away their propensity to sin and continue rebuilding the Temple. The construction began in 536 B.C.; however, the work was halted in 530 B.C.*** At Haggai & Zechariah’s insistence, the people once again began to work on the rebuild. The prophets visions described the judgment of Israel’s enemies, the blessings that were coming to Jerusalem and the need for God’s people to remain pure. They were instructed to avoid hypocrisy, superficiality, and sin. Those visions provided hope to the people. 

            Zechariah’s messages were also a warning that the messianic kingdom would not come immediately following the completion of the Temple. Israel’s enemies would all be judged and then the King would come. This incredible blessing wouldn’t come to fruition until the people had experienced many difficult circumstances. It is a distinct possibility and downright certainty that sorrow, disappointment, and distress would come before Christ’s eternal Kingdom.

            Remember, God’s timing usually does not line up with ours. He knows exactly what he’s doing. His plan is flawless and shall manifest itself precisely when the Lord chooses to reveal it. This is all part of faith & trust. If you’re going to trust God, you better understand his workings, for he is always faithful and true and shall never let any of us down.

 

Up next are the Mega-Themes of the book of Zechariah. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

* “The prophet Zechariah’s name means “Yahweh has remembered,” which might also be a good summary of the prophetic work that bears his name. We know little about Zechariah personally except that he was a priest as well. as a prophet and was a contemporary of Zerubbabel and the prophet Haggai.” [https://www.gotquestions.org/prophet-Zechariah.html]

** Apocalyptic - Relating to or predicting the end of the world, especially as described in the Bible or another religious text.

*** “...the Jews stopped rebuilding the temple due to opposition from the neighboring Samaritans. But other reasons crept in. At the time of Haggai's prophecies, some Jews simply said that the timing was not right (Haggai 1:2). Yet the time was right for them to build their own homes.” [https://www.gotquestions.org/rebuilding-the-temple.html]