09.07.

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The Book of Zechariah

Th er e fo r e say t o th e m, t h u s d ec lar e s th e L OR D o f h os t s: R etu rn to m e, say s th e L OR D o f h os t s, an d I w ill r etu rn to you , say s th e L OR D o f h o st s. Ze ch ar iah 1 :3

The Book of Zechariah General Info, Authorship, and Genre:

Zechariah of Jerusalem, a contemporary of Haggai, but with a longer known ministry (cf. Zech 1:1 and 7:1 with Hag 1:1; see also Ezra 5:1; 6:14), prophesied to a group of discouraged Israelites, announcing that it was a new day for God's chosen people. Zechariah prophesied during the reign of Darius (521 B.C.-486 B.C., see Ezra 4:23-5:1). He was a contemporary of Haggai and he sought to inspire those who had returned from captivity to rebuild the temple and rededicate their lives to the Lord. Through the ministry of Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubabbel and Joshua led the temple reconstruction project in 520 B.C. (Ezra 6:14) and completed it in 515 B.C. While the aim of Haggais message was to complete the temple so that Israel would have a proper place of worship, Zechariahs message was aimed at preparing the peoples hearts for the proper worship of the Lord God. Another way of saying this is: Haggai called the people to rebuild the temple; Zechariah called the people to repent and return to God. The prophecy of Zachariah has surrealistic visions and vivid poetic images, focused on a reversal of God's judgment, and called for a reversal of the people's behavior.

The Book of Zechariah Outline

I. II. The Justice of God and a Call to Renewal (Zech 1:1-6) Visionary Disclosure of God's Purposes (Zech 1:7-6:15)
A. Vision one: appearances deceive; mercy and restoration for Gods people (Zech 1:7-17) B. Vision two: the destroyers destroyed; judgment on the nations (Zech 1:18-21) C. Vision three: perfect safety of an open city (Zech 2:1-13) D. Vision four: Satan silenced; the people are forgiven (Zech 3:1-10) E. Vision five: the temple rebuilt by the power of the Spirit of God (Zech 4:1-14) F. Vision six: the flying scrolls and the curse destroys sin (Zech 5:1-4) G. Vision seven: the woman in the basket; sin banished from the land (Zech 5:5-11) H. Vision eight: Yahwehs restoration of peace over the earth; four chariots (Zech 6:1-8) I. Coronation scene; the Branch and the promised messiah the Davidic King (Zech 6:9-15) A. Empty worship and judgment; A Call to return to true Justice and Mercy (Zech 7:1-14) B. Restoration, salvation, and incredible blessings for the sake of the Nations (Zech 8:1-23)

The remnant that came out of the captivity was the only hope for the future of Israel. Based on the track record of previous generations, strong language would be necessary to penetrate the stubborn shoulders, closed ears, and rock-hard hearts of God's people (Zech 7:11-12). The method Zechariah adopted was to criticize the worldview that was dominant in the thinking of the Israelites and to energize them with the possibility of a completely new reality. Poetry served this purpose well because it allowed for language with III. A Prophetic Message to the People (Zech 7:1-8:23) the volume turned up.

The Near East at the Time of Zechariah

Historical Background of Zechariah is the same as Haggai. Cyrus the Great defeated the Medes in 549 B.C. and was received into Babylon as King of IV. The Emerging Kingdom (Zech 9:1-14:21) A. The King and His kingdom (Zech 9:1-11:3) Persia in 539 B.C. The Edict of Cyrus (539 B.C.) permitted conquered peoples B. Two shepherds and 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:4-17) to return to their lands (see Isaiah 44:24-45:1). The first wave of emigrants returned to Jerusalem under the governorship of Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:5-11). They began temple reconstruction. Second wave of emigrants returned along with Zerubbabel, the new governor, and Joshua, a priest (Ezra 2:1-2).
C. D. E. F.

Jerusalem attacked and delivered (Zech 12:1-9) The pierced One (Zech 12:10-14) Threefold purification (Zech 13:1-6) the death of the shepherd and the sheep scatter (Zech 13:7-9) G. the Day of the Lord (Zech 14:1-21)

Who is this promised Branch, Servant of the Lord, Messiah, and King of Glory?
He would come in a low and humble station in life (9:9; 13:7 cf. Matt. 21:1-5; 26:31). He would restore Israel by the blood of His covenant (9:11 cf. Mark 14:24). He would serve as Shepherd to a scattered people/sheep (10:2 cf. Matt. 9:36). He would be rejected and betrayed (11:12-13 cf. Matt. 26:15; 27:9-10). The Branch & Root of David The Davidic Messiah He would be pierced and struck down (12:10; 13:7 cf. Matt. 24:30; 26:31, 56; Zechariah 3:8-10; 6:12; Revelation 22:16 John 19:37). Return in glory and deliver Israel from her enemies (14:1-6 cf. Matt. 25:31). Also see Isaiah 4:2-6; 11:1-9; the same as the Servant Rule as king in peace and righteousness in Jerusalem (9:9-10; 14:9, 16 cf. Rev. of the Lord in Isaiah 42; 49; 50; and 53. 11:5; 19:6). He would establish a renewed world (14:6-19 cf. Rev. 21:25; 22:1, 5). Behold, He is coming soon (Revelation 22:12-21)