Zechariah

1.       First Impressions

Zechariah is used by God to call the returned exiles back to him, to continue the rebuilding of the temple and to give messages of hope for their future. The name Zechariah means Yahweh remembers and God most certainly does! He remembers his people and the promises he made them. Zechariah was a Levite and from a priestly family. He was a contemporary of the older prophet Haggai during the time of Zerubbabel and high priest Joshua. The first 8 chapters occur between 520 and 518 B.C. however chapters 9 to 14 aren’t dated yet move from a perspective of uncleanness and judgment to holiness and peace as they look forward to the coming of the messiah. The book has 8 visions, four messages and 2 enacted symbols.

2.       Theme Tracing

 

·         What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

The way Zechariah is written we can see God’s nature and character in the storyline as well as the text. Zechariah reveals God’s desire for the restoration of the Temple and his plan for Israel and the entire world in the coming of the messiah. The text also speaks of His anger (1:2), mercy (1:16), faithfulness & justice (8:8). He is our redeemer (10:8) and he cleanses us, forgiving our sins (3:4). God is God of truth (8:17) who loves with strength and passion (8:2). He has all power and authority (10:12) yet we see God’s humility in the prediction of Jesus humbly entering Jerusalem on a donkey.

 

·         What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Zechariah has so much about God’s redemptive plan. We see God speaking to Zechariah about the future the returned exiles, the coming of the messiah and fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. This book shows God’s plan in bringing all people together with himself, step by step and then with the coming of the messiah. These are examples of some of the scriptures in which we can clearly see God’s redemptive plan:

 Zechariah 6:12-13 says, “… Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the Lord. Yes, He will build the Temple of the Lord. Then he will receive royal honor and he will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.” then in 3:8-9 it also speaks of God bringing His servant The Branch.

Zechariah 9:9 is the prophecy of Jesus humbly entering Jerusalem on a donkey.

The passage in 11:12-13 speaks of the little value of 30 silver coins Zechariah is valued at in which parallels can be drawn to the price paid for Jesus’ betrayal.

Zec 12:10 speaks of the mourning that will come from the death of Jesus who will be ‘pierced’ and 13:7 is also a messianic passage about the shepherd being struck down.

This book is filled with God’s plan ranging from the current time when written a long way into the future.