The book of Zechariah is one of the most oft-quoted books of prophecy in the Old Testament. Through this prophet God gave the Jews “fuel” for their faith— and ours.
Who was Zechariah?
Zechariah was a priest born in Babylon during the exile into a family of priests. His name— “Yahweh Remembers” — was chosen to remind him that although he was growing up in a foreign land, God had not forgotten him or his people. As a young man God had proven that He remembered the Jews when He arranged for them to return to Jerusalem. According to tradition, Zechariah was an original member of the ruling group of 120 which later became the Sanhedrin council. Zechariah started the prophecies recorded in his book 2 months after his contemporary Haggai.
Who were these people that Zechariah was preaching to?
They recognized themselves as God’s people and had taken a step of faith and obedience in returning to Jerusalem, although their motives were undoubtedly mixed. They had started the work of rebuilding the temple but had stopped due to hardship.
Who was this God who was speaking to them?
God told Zechariah he was the “Lord of Hosts” literally “Lord who rules over all.” God wanted to emphasize His power & sovereignty, and so the name appears 53 times in Zechariah.
What was God’s message to the people?
“Return to Me, and I will return to you.” (Zech 1:3) These were people who had returned to Jerusalem physically, but had not returned to God spiritually. This error, that their physical birthright or location guaranteed them God’s favor, was confronted again and again by the prophets and later by Christ (Matthew 3:9).
“Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?” (Zech 1:5)
Zechariah’s urgency here is that God has a time limit for repentance. Urgency in repentance is a familiar theme elsewhere in Scripture:
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. Psalm 32:6
For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2
Walking by Sight vs. Walking by Faith
Zechariah next describes eight visions: eight word pictures to give the people a reason and a hope to repent and obey God. God often used vivid word pictures to emotionally arrest his audience, as we would use a photograph or video clip today. The visions show that the people’s main problem was that they walked by sight, and not by faith (vs. 2 Corinthians 5:7). By sight they saw no reason to resume building the temple and to fully restore proper worship and to fully obey the law. They were doing fine in their comfortable, “normal” lifestyle in their “paneled houses.” (Haggai 1:4)
The visions are fuel for what John Piper calls “Future Grace” in his book by that name. When the people asked, “Why repent? Why follow God?” the visions responded, “Because you can bank on God to keep His promises of future blessings. You can obey God now because you can count on the grace that God has in store for His people. Obey God so you can be part of His incredible plan and partake of His rich grace.”
The visions begin and end with displays of God’s might and sovereignty using horses. As with many prophecies, they deal with both the near and far future, with a progression toward the far future in the last visions. For each of the visions I list “The People See,” the gist of these people walking by sight and not by faith. Next is “God Shows,” which briefly explains the content of each vision, and then “God Says,” which explains what God was saying to the people with each vision.
1. The Four Horsemen (Zechariah 1:7-17)
The People See:
God doesn’t intervene because Jerusalem is in ruins.
God shows:
The myrtle trees represented the Jews.
Horsemen were the symbol of military power & speed, like a jet fighter would be considered today.
The horsemen patrolled (the Hebrew verb denotes dominion and control) the whole earth.
God says:
I will act to comfort, build, and choose Jerusalem.
2. The Horns and Craftsmen (Zechariah 1:18-21)
The People See:
God doesn’t intervene because the enemies of the Jews still prosper.
God shows:
Craftsmen (the Hebrew implies men with chisels and hammers) casting down horns (representing the power) of the nations.
God says:
I will act to “hammer down to size” the nations that harmed you, they will be chiseled in my hands into whatever I wish to make them.
3. The Man with a Measuring Line (Zechariah 2)
The People See:
Jerusalem does not prosper & God is not here.
God shows:
Man using a measuring line (like a surveyor, representing new growth).
God says:
(1) Jerusalem will grow and prosper beyond her former glory.
(2) I will protect her and once again be the glory in her midst (Ezekiel 10 showed God’s glory leaving Jerusalem).
(3) I will punish the heathen nations (Zechariah 2:7-9).
(4) Because of all this, all Jews should return to Jerusalem and return to Me. (Zechariah 2:7)
(5) One day many nations will worship the Lord (Zechariah 2:11).
(6) One day I will formally take possession of Israel as My inheritance (Zechariah 2:12).
4. Clean Garments for the High Priest (Zechariah 3)
The People See:
The High Priest isn’t any different than us, why should we follow Him?
God shows:
Satan accusing the High Priest of sin, and Joshua’s filthy(in Hebrew literally excrement) garments being stripped away and replaced with clean.
God says:
(1) I have taken away the sin of the high priest, & I have given him the right to rule & to have access to Me.
(2) I will bring another Servant who will in one act take away all sin (Isaiah 11, Jeremiah 23).
(3) I will bring peace and prosperity to the land.
5. The Gold Lamp Stand & Olive Trees (Zechariah 4)
The People See:
Zerubbabel has no might, no power, no army to finish the temple or make us great.
God shows:
a temple lampstand and two olive trees
God says:
Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts (Zechariah 4:6)
Joshua and Zerubbabel (the two trees) have My anointing and stand in My presence (Zechariah 4:14).
6. The Flying Scroll (Zechariah 5:1-4)
The People See:
It doesn’t matter what we do, we can choose our morality.
God shows:
A giant flying two-sided scroll the same size as the most holy place.
One side seeking out people who swear falsely (3rd commandment representing the first 5)
One side seeking out people who steal (8th commandment representing the second 5)
God says:
I will go throughout the land and curse those who sin (Deut 28:15-68).
7. Woman in Basket (Zechariah 5:5-11)
The People See:
Our religion and morality are fine.
God shows:
A woman representing wickedness (false religion) in a basket being taken away.
God says:
One day wickedness & false religion will be removed from Israel.
8. Four Chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8)
The People see:
Israel has always had enemies, and they always will have
.
God shows:
Four Chariots patrolling the north country seeing it at rest.
God says:
One day my Spirit will be at rest, and Israel will no longer be threatened by enemies.
Conclusion: A Sign of the Coming Messiah (Zechariah 6:9-15)
The People See:
Messiah has been prophesied, but he has not come.
God shows:
A Crown of Silver & Gold made and put on the High Priest’s head.
God says:
There is coming One who will be both priest and King and will rule a kingdom of peace.
Conclusion:
Have the faith to diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God. (Zechariah 6:15)
God does not today come with visions and prophecies to turn us from being conformed to this material world to walking by faith in Him, but He has given us the Scriptures and the Spirit if we will see and hear and walk in faith and obedience in, for, and through His love and grace.
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