Chronological Bible Study – Sep 20
There is a short introduction available for the book of Zechariah. You can read it here.
Key Themes (Zechariah)
The book of Zechariah is a prophetic work in the Old Testament that addresses the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. It combines visions, symbolic actions, and oracles to convey a message of hope, restoration, and the coming of God’s kingdom. The key themes include:
- Hope and Restoration: Zechariah emphasizes the theme of hope for the future restoration of Jerusalem and the temple. The prophet encourages the people to continue rebuilding, assuring them that God has not forgotten His promises and that Jerusalem will once again be a place of blessing and prosperity.
- The Coming of the Messiah: A significant theme in Zechariah is the promise of a coming Messiah who will bring salvation and establish God’s reign on earth. The book contains several messianic prophecies, including the depiction of a humble king riding on a donkey and the vision of the branch who will build the temple and rule as both priest and king.
- God’s Sovereignty and Judgment: Zechariah presents God as sovereign over all nations, with the power to judge and save. The book contains visions of God’s judgment on Israel’s enemies and the promise of their ultimate defeat. This theme highlights God’s control over history and His ability to bring about justice.
- Spiritual Renewal: The book calls for the spiritual renewal of the people, urging them to return to God with sincere hearts. Zechariah emphasizes the importance of true worship, justice, and righteousness, warning against the mere outward forms of religion without genuine faith and obedience.
- Visions of the Future: Zechariah is rich with symbolic visions that convey God’s plans for the future, including the restoration of Israel, the defeat of evil, and the establishment of God’s kingdom. These visions provide both immediate encouragement and long-term hope, pointing to a future where God’s purposes will be fully realized.
- The Universal Reign of God: Zechariah looks forward to a time when all nations will recognize and worship the Lord. The prophet envisions a future where Jerusalem becomes the spiritual center of the world, and all people come to worship the true God. This theme underscores the universal scope of God’s plan for salvation and His desire for all nations to be part of His kingdom.
The book of Zechariah is a profound blend of encouragement and prophetic insight, urging the people to remain faithful as they look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. It connects the immediate task of rebuilding with the larger, eschatological hope of the coming Messiah and the ultimate establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. Through Zechariah, God offers a vision of a future filled with His presence, justice, and universal reign.
What I Noticed Today (Zechariah 1-4)
Zechariah 1-6
In a single night, Zechariah received eight visions from the Lord. The visions came on the 24th day of the eleventh month (February 15, 519 B.C.).
Zechariah 1
In verse 1, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah in the eighth month of the second year of the reign of King Darius.
In verses 1-6, the Lord promises the people of Judah that if they return to Him, then He will return to them. Do not be like your fathers, he says, who were warned but refused to repent and return.
Vision 1. In verses 7-17, the vision was of a man riding on a red horse standing among Myrtle trees. Zechariah asked the angel what was the meaning of the vision, and he explained these are the ones the Lord has sent to patrol throughout the earth. He reported the earth was at peace but not Israel. God was very angry with these nations for their complacency. Therefore, God returned to Jerusalem to build His house there.
Vision 2. In verses 18-21, the vision was of four horns. Zechariah asked what the four horns represented, and the angel told him they were the horns that had scattered Israel and Judah (horns were often used in reference to kings). Then he saw four craftsmen (some translations say “smiths”) and asked what they were to do. The angel said the four craftsmen would cast down the four horns.
Note: Scholars do not agree about what nations represent the four horns. However, since Zechariah uses the past tense when referring to them, it is likely they were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (See Daniel 2). There is also debate regarding the identity of the craftsmen. The larger point is, God raised up nations in judgment against those who opposed His people.
Zechariah 2
Vision 3. In verses 1-13, Zechariah looked up and saw a man with a measuring line. He asked where he was going, and the man said to measure the boundaries of Jerusalem. An angel came and told him the Lord would put a ring of fire around Jerusalem, and His glory would be in her midst.
Then the vision seems to shift focus to the Jews who were still living in Babylon telling them to flee because God was about to bring His judgment upon Babylon. In that time, the people will sing and rejoice because the Lord dwells in their midst. Many nations will join with them, and the Lord will again dwell in Jerusalem. This final judgment and praise are Messianic speaking of the return of Christ in His Millennial reign.
Zechariah 3
Vision 4. In verses 1-10, the Lord showed Zechariah a vision and Zechariah recognized Joshua the high priest (under Zerubbabel) standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan.
Note: The angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ because he had the power to forgive sins (Zechariah 3:4).
Satan stood to accuse Joshua before the Lord, but the Lord rebuked Satan. The Lord then told Joshua who was standing in filthy clothes to change clothes into pure vestments, having taken away his sins.
The Lord directed Joshua to walk in His ways and keep His requirements (duties of a priest), and he would govern in the Lord’s house. Then the Lord told Joshua that he and his men were a sign. The Lord would bring his servant, the Branch (Christ is the branch of the Davidic line). He will remove the sin of the land in a single day, and the people will live in peace each under his own vine and fig tree.
Note: The removal of sin in a single day is likely a reference to Christ’s return for His Millennial reign, which corresponds to the prophecy of Micah (Micah 4:4).
Zechariah 4
Vision 5. In verses 1-9, the angel woke Zechariah up and asked what he saw. Zechariah described seeing a gold lampstand with a bowl on top, seven lamps with seven lips, and two olive trees one on each side. Rather than explain the vision, the Lord gave a word regarding Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel had begun the rebuilding of the temple not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit. What Zerubbabel had started, He would finish. Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you, and you will see the plumb line in the hands of Zerubbabel.
In verses 10-14, Zechariah asks about the olive trees and the gold pipes, and the angel said they were the anointed ones who stand by the Lord.
Note: This vision includes some complex symbolism. The gold pipes represent the Lord’s anointed who will serve the Lord over all the earth. The branches refer to the anointed priests and kings, in particular, Joshua and Zerubbabel who are a type of Messiah who will be both priest and king. The lampstand represents Israel who will be a lamp unto the world, possibly in Zechariah’s time, but certainly during the Millennial reign of Christ.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.