Book of Zechariah - Bible Survey

In the book of Ezra we have the general statement that "Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel." (Ezra 5:1) Zechariah, however, did not commence his ministry (as far as has been recorded) until two months after the first prophecy of Haggai, though the first prophecy of Zechariah was at least a month before the last two of Haggai. They were therefore contemporaneous, and both alike laboured for the encouragement of the children of the captivity in building the temple. (See Ezra 5:2) But Zechariah takes, under the guidance of the Spirit, a far wider range of vision than Haggai. The latter deals mainly with the moral state of the people in relation to the purpose for which they had returned from Babylon; viz., to build the Lord's house, while, for their encouragement, he unfolds the glories of the future when the kingdom should be established. Zechariah includes in his prophetic vision the Gentile kingdoms to whom the Jews were in subjection, the establishment of the Messiah as a Priest on His throne, who should build the temple of the Lord, and "bear the glory." (Zech. 6:13) He also deals with the rejection of the Messiah and its consequences, together with the final siege of Jerusalem by the nations, and its deliverance by the sudden appearance of the Lord Himself. Thereon the remnant, as he points out, are humbled to contrition as they look on Him whom they had pierced; and their enemies are destroyed. Moreover, the prophet exhibits Jehovah as king over all the earth, and all nations ascending yearly to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. Finally, he depicts holiness to the Lord as marking every detail of the daily life of the people in Jerusalem and Judah. These several points, with their important links and developments, will come before us in our examination of the book. The book divides itself into two parts: Zechariah 1-6, which contain, after the first six verses, a series of prophetic visions vouchsafed to Zechariah; and Zechariah 7-14, which comprise the messages he received for the instruction and encouragement of the people. The first part may be therefore termed apocalyptic, while the second partakes of the ordinary prophetic character.

The outstanding features of Zechariah’s prophecy are: (1) that Jerusalem is chosen by the Lord (3:2); (2) that He will yet be her glory (2:5); (3) that He, the King over all the earth, shall be worshipped by all nations at Jerusalem (14:9, 16, 17). In chapters 1 to 6 nine symbolic visions make up the first of the three divisions of the book; and these visions instruct us as to the world powers, and Jerusalem, and its Royal Owner. The last six chapters make up the third division; and show us the King coming to the city; sold for the price of a slave (11:12-13); but on His return they grieve and repent; and He, saving the city, reigns in it in great glory. The two centre chapters (7 and 8) form the second division; and show how Israel’s fasts will be turned into cheerful feasts of joy and gladness (7:3, 5; 8:9).

ZECHARIAH takes up all the relations of Israel with the nations after the captivity. He sets out the mutual rejection of Christ and the Jews at the time of His first coming, and the ways of God toward the Jews and the nations at the time of His second coming.

Zechariah in his message does not rebuke the people on account of their slackness in building the house of the Lord, as we learned Haggai did, though his great prophecies were given to encourage the remnant in their work. The horizon of Zechariah's visions and prophecies is far more extended than the horizon of the other minor prophets. He covers the entire future of Israel and leads onward from his days to the time when Messiah comes to Jerusalem, when His own received Him not. He pictures the condition of the nation after the rejection of Christ, and then leads up to the time of His return and the happy results which follow the repentance of the remnant, when they shall look upon Him whom they pierced.

The Gentile world-powers, as prophetically announced in Daniel's great visions, are seen by him as domineering over Jerusalem; and how the Lord will finally deal with these powers. The last siege of Jerusalem, and what is connected with that siege, the tribulation, the deliverance by the visible coming of the Lord, and the resultant kingdom, concludes his book. It is indeed a complete prophetic history of Israel and the times of the Gentiles from the captivity to the end of these times. His book has rightly been called by the same name as the last book of the Bible, the Apocalypse--an unveiling. And there are certain features which identify Zechariah in some measure with the book of Revelation. Zechariah may well be placed alongside of Isaiah and Daniel.

Although Zechariah spoke to the remnant of Israel in God’s commission at the same time as Zechariah’s message was a totally different one. While Haggai had to rebuke the people most of the time because their zeal for the building of the temple wearied Zechariah speaks more of the city of Jerusalem. Besides he is the only post-exile prophet to give a detailed overview on the history of God’s people and the nations connected with Jerusalem. He describes the rejection of the Messiah by His earthly people Israel and their repentance and acknowledgment of the Messiah who will appear to establish His reign of peace. In this Zechariah is very similar to Daniel the prophet. Zechariah has also been compared to Isaiah “the evangelist among the prophets”. The keynote of his message is the unchanging love of God and His care for His earthly people. He will preserve them from all dangers coming from the world’s powers and keep them for His kingdom on earth.

The prophecies contained in this book are mainly respecting Judah as a people, and Jerusalem as a city in their judgment, as also in their blessed future, but in special relation to the Gentiles. The eight visions seen in one night (chaps 1-6) from the Persian power, under Cyrus (the rider among the myrtle trees, but figuring Christ, Zech. 1:8) till the temple and throne are set up in Jerusalem in millennial glory, present the great facts connected with Israel and her relation to the imperial powers. In the rest of the book numerous details of a deeply interesting kind, bearing upon the millennial future, are given; moral truths, prophecies of and about the Messiah, and physical facts accompanying the Lord's descent to Mount Olivet for Jewish deliverance, make up a record of undying interest to prophetic students (Zech. 14).

Zechariah is chiefly noted for the number of short and instructive visions—eight in all—closing with Daniel 6, and the constant and characteristic use of the expression —In that day—referring to the final judgments of the Lord, culminating in the overthrow of Israel's enemies, the purification of His people, and the introduction of the Millennial reign of Christ.

The book Zechariah has several easily recognized divisions. After a short introduction (Zech. 1:1-6) it can be divided into two totally distinctive parts. The first contains the eight visions (Zech. 1:7 to Zech. 6). The second, the book of the oracles, has three subdivisions: “The word of the Lord” to Zechariah about fasting and the restoration of Jerusalem (Zech. 7-8), “The burden of the word of Jehovah” about the shepherds and about the restoration, first of Judah and afterwards of Israel (Zech. 9-11), “The burden of the word of Jehovah” regarding the last day and the restoration of the land (Zech. 12-14).

Four distinct messages are given in the book. The first comprises chapter 1 and gives solemn reproofs. Thankfully these produced good effects in leaders and people, in their being stirred to build. The second (ch. 2: 1‑9) gives refreshing encouragement in its precious prophetic vision of Christ. The third (ch. 2:10‑19) insists upon the purity and separation becoming to God's house, and urges godly consideration. The fourth (ch. 2:20‑23) is prophetic of the overthrowing of all oppressing kingdoms, and of blessing established in the person of Jehovah's Servant, the Messiah, typified by Zerubbabel, ruler of Israel.

Beginning with this chapter the book of Zechariah has a distinctly different character. No dates are mentioned as in the first section of the book (chapters 1 to 8), and no more visions are found. Zechariah 9:1 gives the emphasis of all the remaining chapters, “the burden of the Word of the Lord.” The word burden has the thought of a weight heavy to bear, for God is bringing His displeasure to bear on mankind, and He intends people to feel it.