Introduction to Zechariah

Theme: The LORD remembers Zion

Key Words: Jerusalem, the Day of the LORD

Author: Zechariah (Zehk uh ri' uh), whose name means "of whom Jehovah has memory", was a Levite who was born in Babylon (Neh 12:1, 16). Zechariah was one of the post-exilic prophets and a contemporary of Haggai. Like Haggai, he received the calling to encourage the Jews to complete the task of rebuilding the Temple (see Ezra 6:14). As the son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo.

Date: Zechariah's prophetic ministry began in 520 B.C., two years after Haggai had completed his. The prophet apparently received the vision of the first chapters when he was still a youth (see 2:44). Chapters 7 and 8 belong to 518 B.C., two years later. The reference to Greece in 9:13 seems to indicate that chapters 9-14 were written after 480 B.C., when that nation replaced Persia as the great world power. The prophecies that the book of Zechariah contain were edited between 520 and 475 B.C.

Background: The exiles who returned to their home in 536 B.C., under the edict of Cyrus, were among the poorest Jewish captives. Some 50,000 returned to Jerusalem under the direction of Zerubbabel and Joshua. They rapidly rebuilt the altar and began the reconstruction of the Temple. However, they soon began to feel apathy, due to the opposition of their Samaritan neighbors, who obtained an order from the king of Persia to halt the labors. For about twelve years the construction had been blocked by discouragement and concern with other objectives. Zechariah and Haggai urged the people to return to the LORD and his purpose of restoring the ruined temple. Zechariah encouraged the people of GOD, announced the day when the Messiah would reign from a restored temple, in a restored city.

Historical Setting: The setting at the beginning of the Book is the same as the setting of the Book of Haggai. The prophet Haggai spoke directly to the issue of the rebuilding of the Temple, encouraging those who returned from captivity in Babylon to finish the task. Zechariah spoke to that issue as well, according to the Book of Ezra (Ezra 5:1). But Zechariah wished to bring about a complete spiritual renewal through faith and hope in GOD. He spoke about the nature of GOD's Law and of the hope which GOD promised to those who were faithful to Him.

The second portion of Zechariah was written in the period between the times of the prophets Haggai (520 B.C.) and Malachi 450 B.C.). The Persian Empire was ruled by two great kings during these years, Darius I (522-486 B.C.) and Xerxes I (585-465 B.C.). This was a period when the Jewish people in Jerusalem were settled in their new land with a walled city and their beloved Temple. But they were unhappy and dissatisfied. Some of the people had expected that Zerubbabel, governor of Jerusalem, might be the Messiah, but this had proven to be false. The people needed a new word concerning GOD's future for them. This message from GOD was given in a most dramatic fashion by the great prophet Zechariah.

Content: The book of Zechariah begins with an energetic message from the LORD asking the people to repent and return to their GOD. The book is replete with Zechariah's references to the Word of the LORD. The prophet doesn't transmit his own message, but faithfully communicates the message that GOD has given him. He calls the people to repent of their lethargy and complete the unfinished work.

Later, GOD gives assurances to the people of his love and care in a series of eight visions. The vision of the man and the horses reminds the people of the vigilant care of GOD. The vision of the four horns and four carpenters alludes to the judgment of GOD, first upon Judah and later upon their enemies. In the vision of the man with the measuring cord appears an apocalyptic reference to the beautiful and peaceful city of GOD. Joshua, the High Priest, represents cleansing from sin. The magnificent vision of the gold candlestick, supported by the two olive trees, is a message to Zerubbabel in the sense that GOD's purposes can only be fulfilled through His Spirit. The flying scroll emits a pronouncement against those who steal and swear falsely. The vision of the women bearing the ephah alludes to GOD's holiness and cleansing from sin. The vision of the four chariots describes GOD's sovereign control over the earth.

The visions are followed by a scene in which Joshua is crowned as king and priest. It has to do with a magnificent symbol of the coming of the Messiah.

In chapters 7 and 8, GOD makes use of a question about fasting to reinforce his mandate of justice and rectitude, which should be placed before religious formalities.

Chapters 9-14 have an eschatological (the study of end times) character. Zion is restored, and radiates the glory of the king who governs it. Two prophetic messages stand out. The first prophecy, or "oracle", is in chapters 9-11. GOD will deliver his people (chapter 9), the prosperity of the people of GOD (chap. 10) will be restored and the Shepherd of Israel will be initially rejected, which will bring great desolation (chap. 11). The second prophecy is in chapters 12-14. Once again GOD frees his people, while they are afflicted by Him whom they pierced (chapter 12). A fountain is then opened to cleanse sin and impurity (chapter 13). Finally, the LORD will reign over all the nations from a restored Zion (chapter 14).

Theological Contribution: One of the greatest contributions of the Book of Zechariah is the merger of the best from the priestly and prophetic elements in Israel's history. Zechariah realized the need for both these elements in an authentic faith. He called the people to turn from their sins. He also realized that the Temple and religious ritual played an important role in keeping the people close to GOD. Because he brought these elements together in his own ministry, Zechariah helped prepare the way for the Christian community's understanding of Christ as both priest and prophet.

Zechariah is also noted for his development of an apocalyptic-prophetic style - highly symbolized and visionary language concerning the events of the end-time. In this, his writing resembles the Books of Daniel and revelation. The visions of lampstands and olive trees, horsemen and chariots, measuring lines and horns place him and these other two books in a class by themselves. Zechariah also has a great deal to say about the concept of GOD as warrior. While this was a well-established image among biblical writers, Zechariah ties this idea to the concept of the Day of the LORD (see Joel 2). His description of the return of Christ to earth as the great Warrior in the Day of the LORD (14:1-9) is one of the most stirring prophecies of the Old Testament.

On that day, according to Zechariah, Christ will place His feet on the Mount of Olives, causing violent changes throughout the land (14:3-4). The day will be changed to darkness and the darkness to light (14:5-8). The entire world will worship Him as the LORD spreads His rule as King "over all the earth" (14:9).

Purpose of the Book: - To introduce glimpses of reality for the postexilic community from a heavenly standpoint, namely, that “The transcendent God is working out His eternal purpose for Judah and Jerusalem, equipping His covenant people to fulfill the spiritual role for which He chose them ( 1:7- 6:15)”

- To describe the quality of life which the postexilic community is to display (Zech 7:1--8:32)

- To demonstrate that the Lord will establish His kingdom, not through a gradual evolutionary process,but through struggle and tension

- To urge Israel to return to Yahweh so that He would return to them and continue to fulfill His word

- To promise that in spite of the nation’s lowly position and its spiritual insensitivity, a Deliverer willbring a time of ultimate blessing