Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 1

Verse 1

Book Comments

Walking Thru The Bible

ZECHARIAH

These last three prophets in the Old Testament are from the period following the Babylonian captivity which we often call the "Restoration Period" or post-exilic period. The common message of these prophets was: return to the right ways of the Lord.

Haggai and Zechariah were particularly concerned with the rebuilding of the temple which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians nearly 70 years before. The people had been tending to their personal affairs and neglecting the temple and other spiritual responsibilities.

ZECHARIAH

Zechariah was born and reared in Babylon and was among the group that returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:1, Nehemiah 12:4, Nehemiah 12:16). He was evidently younger than Haggai and his recorded ministry continued a year or so beyond the record of Haggai.

Under Haggai and Zechariah’s preaching the people were stirred to again take up the rebuilding of the temple. While Haggai rebuked and admonished, Zechariah encouraged and looked to brighter days. Their work was fully complementary and compatible.

The book of Zechariah contains many visions and a great deal of apocalyptic symbolism. it is the longest and the most difficult of all the Minor Prophets.

Message of Zechariah :

This book is also divided into four sections.

1. There is a call for repentance (Zechariah 1:1-6).

2. There is a series of night visions about the future of the people of God and his kingdom:

(1) riders among the myrtles (Zechariah 1:7-17;

(2) four horns and four smiths (Zechariah 1:18-21;

(3) the man with a measuring line (Zechariah 2:1-13);

4) Joshua’s trial (Zechariah 3:1-10);

(5) a golden lampstand and two olive trees (Zechariah 4:1-14);

(6) the flying scroll (Zechariah 5:1-4);

(7) the woman in the ephah (Zechariah 5:5-11);

(8) the four chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8);

(9) and the crowning of Joshua (Zechariah 6:9-15).

3. There is a question about fasting raised (Zechariah 7:1-3), and the point is that fasting is useless without obedience (Zechariah 7:4-7). The Lord’s expectations of the people are stated (Zechariah 7:8-8:23).

4. The people of God are reassured about the future. The heathen nations will fall (Zechariah 9:1-7), and the Messiah will appear (Zechariah 9:8-11:17). Salvation will be established in spiritual Israel, the church (Zechariah 12:1-14:21).

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