I imagine many Christians can increase their knowledge of the Minor Prophets. Here’s a survey of the eleventh book of the Minor Prophets: Zechariah.
Purpose: We will look at the authorship, purpose, structure and other aspects of the book of Zechariah so we would be more familiar with this part of the Bible and yearn to study it for ourselves.
Authorship
- Why it is written by Zechariah
- Reason #1 why it is by Zechariah: The introduction identifies this is from Zechariah: “In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying (Zechariah 1:1)
- Reason #2 why it is by Zechariah: The main prophet in the book is Zechariah: Zechariah 1:7, 7:1, 7:8.
- Since he’s mentioned quite frequently as the prophet receiving and delivering the message of God it makes sense it is by Zechariah.
- Reason #3 why it is by Zechariah: Historic view is that it is Zechariah
- According to Jewish Tradition that was recorded in the Talmud: ” The Gemara answers: Since his prophecy is written together with those of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi in one book of the Twelve Prophets, and Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi were the last of the prophets, he is counted with them” (Baba Bathra 14b)[1]
- While historical view can err yet it fits with the biblical data we have seen.
- About Zechariah
- The name Zechariah means “”God remembered.”[2]
- The name might be significant since it points to remembrance of His promises to His people.
- He was a prophet after the exile and among those who returned back to the land which was allowed under the Persian empire decree.[3]
- According to Nehemiah 12:16 (see it in light of 1) Zechariah was a Levite and was thus both a priest and prophet.[4]
- We can learn a little more about Zechariah from the subscript: “In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying (Zechariah 1:1)
- Here Zechariah is called “the son of Berechiah” while Ezra 4:1, 6:14 and Nehemiah 12:4, and 12:16 identified him as “son of Iddo” and that might be because his father died young and his grandfather took care of him.[5]
- The date here is earliest date in the book and mark the beginning of his prophetic ministry recorded in the book.
- This would have been around late October and late November, 520 BC.[6]
- The last date of the revelations is in Zechariah 7:1 which took place on the fourteenth of the ninth month of Darius’s fourth year which is December 5, 518 BC in our calendar.[7]
Purpose
- According to Richard Mayhue Zechariah is about “Israel’s Comfort and Glory, (Preparation for the Messiah).”[8]
- According to Eugene Merril: “Zechariah directed his gaze more to the future, speaking of a day when the feeble structures of the present will give way to God’s glorious kingdom in which Israel will once more play a central role.”[9]
Structure[10]
-
- The Call to Repentance (1:1-6)
- The 8 Visions of Zechariah (1:7-6)
- The 4 Messages of Zechariah (7-8)
- The 2 Burdens of Zechariah (9-14)
- Messiah’s First Advent and Rejection (9-11)
- Messiah’s Second Advent and Acceptance (12-14)
Closer look at Zechariah
- Brief word on the 8 Visions of Zechariah (1:7-6) [11]
- The Read horse Rider among the Myrtles Trees (1:7-17) means God’s anger are against the nations and blessings will be upon restored Israel.
- The Four horns and the Four Craftsmen (1:18-21) means God’s judgment is upon the nations that afflicts Israel.
- The Surveyor with a Measuring Line (Zechariah 2) means God’s future blessing on restored Israel.
- The Cleansing and Crowing of Joshua the High Priest (Zechariah 3) means Israel’s future cleaning from sin and reinstatement as a priestly nation.
- The Golden Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees (Zechariah 4) means Israel will be light to the nations under Messiah the King-Priest.
- The Flying Scroll (Zechariah 5:1-4) means divine judgment on individual Israelites will be severe.
- The Woman in the Ephah (Zechariah 5:5-11) means Israel’s sin of rebellion against God will be removed.
- The Four Chariots (6:1-8) means God’s judgment will also be on Gentile nations.
- For the sake of time for this lesson we won’t be able to look at everything in this book but we will consider the incredible Messianic prophecies in this book.
Place of this book in the Canon
- Previous Revelation in the Old Testament helps us interpret passages that are Messianic: Example from Zechariah 3:8-9
- Notice the many titles of the Messiah in Zechariah 3:8-9: “Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. 9 For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.”
- Christ is called the Branch
- Christ is “my Servant”
- Christ is “Stone”
- What passages inform us this is referring to the Messiah?
- Christ is called the Branch in Jeremiah 23:5-6.
- Christ is called “my Servant” in Isaiah 42:1.
- Christ is called “Stone” in Genesis 49:24.
- But here in Zechariah 3:8-9 that the Messiah “will remove the iniquity of that land in one day!”
- Notice the many titles of the Messiah in Zechariah 3:8-9: “Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. 9 For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.”
- Other Messianic Prophecies[12]
- Christ s kingship 6:12-13; 9:9; 14:9, 16
- Christ s glorious reign 9:10, 14
- Christ s world peace 9:9-10; cf. 3:10
- Christ the Good Shepherd 9:16; 11:11
- Christ the smitten Shepherd 13:7; Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27
- Christ s entrance to Jerusalem on a colt 9:9; cf. Matthew 21:5; John 12:13
- Christ betrayed for thirty pieces of silver 11:12-13; Matthew 14:27
- Christ’s hands pierced 12:10
- Christ s people saved 12:10; 13:1
- Christ wounded in the house of His friends 13:6
- Christ s coming on the Mount of Olives 14:3-8; Acts 1:11
- Christ’s coming in glory 14:4
- Christ s coronation Zechariah 14:9
[1] Source: https://www.sefaria.org/Bava_Batra.14b.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en.
[2] F. Duane Lindsey, “Zechariah” in Bible Knowledge Commentary (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Victor ), 1545.
[3] F. Duane Lindsey, “Zechariah” in Bible Knowledge Commentary (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Victor ), 1545.
[4] F. Duane Lindsey, “Zechariah” in Bible Knowledge Commentary (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Victor ), 1545.
[5] F. Duane Lindsey, “Zechariah” in Bible Knowledge Commentary (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Victor ), 1545.
[6] Eugene Merrill, “The Book of Zechariah” in The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament (Nashville, B&H Publishing), Kindle Locations 16875-16876.
[7] Eugene Merrill, “The Book of Zechariah” in The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament (Nashville, B&H Publishing), Kindle Locations 16877-16878.
[8] Richard Mayhue, Ordination Practicum Syllabus (Sun Valley, California: Self-Published for The Master’s Seminary), 90.
[9] Eugene Merrill, “The Book of Zechariah” in The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament (Nashville, B&H Publishing), Kindle Locations 17020-17021.
[10] Richard Mayhue, Ordination Practicum Syllabus (Sun Valley, California: Self-Published for The Master’s Seminary), 90.
[11] F. Duane Lindsey, “Zechariah” in Bible Knowledge Commentary (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Victor ), 1549.
[12] Source: http://bibleoutlines.com/library/pdf/zechariah.pdf, 5.
Wow so much to grasp here! Will sit and study it thru my Bible.
Good lesson. Ty
You’re welcome and thanks for that encouragement! By the way I got your address and removed it from the comment for safey reason and later today I will order those booklets your way!
Ok, Ty for caring, in the removal and the books.:)
Great post 🙂
Thanks for another great survey!
You’re welcome! I saw another supporting comment on that post on FB…I was happy to see that
Actually Roland is a blogger but a good fellow. I wish somebody from that place would show some support publicly.
Great resource as always. Thanks for making this happen. Look forward to the table of contents.
Wow thank you for this reblog! Didn’t know this was another site and ministry you were a part of. Is this your fifth site?
Yes, I am now the Director of Digital Ministry here.
Reblogged this on Christian Training Center International and commented:
Here is a great resource on Zechariah. SlimJim knows his stuff.
Thanks for the good outline of Zechariah! Yes, the many Messianic prophecies in this book are a huge blessing! Who said the Old Testament is boring?
Wow just saw your comment, you’re welcome! There are tons of Messianic prophecies in this book, I can’t wait to teach this with my church in two weeks! I’m about to teach Haggai tonight so pray for that, that God bring people that want to learn His word!
I’m praying brother!
“Remove the iniquity of that land in one day” what a wonderful prophecy…
What an amazing prophecy indeed! Over the years I’m amazed at the Messianic prophecies I’ve found in Zechariah. I feel there’s so many prophecies in Zechariah that I still need to study, and wonder if in Heaven there’s even more insights we’ll still find in Zechariah! You’ve read the Bible for decades does it still amaze you what’s found in its pages?
I am eager to begin a deep study of the book of Zechariah. Appreciate your great survey. Thank you.
Nice! I want to do a deeper study on Zechariah sometime, more deeper than 10 years ago now that I’m growing more in my exegesis ability. Any resources you were planning on using?
I use studyLight, Blue letter Bible, will use your survey plus any other resource I may be come across during my study.😊
Yes indeed! Each time I seem to read something new. Not sure how that happens, but it’s Amazing.
Thanking God for the glorious future before us! Thank you for this survey.
I love chapters 12 – 14…Especially chapter 14.
Those are amazing chapters. I feel those chapters are important to understanding the book of Revelation which by the way I know you’ve done a good job before making resources teaching on it.
A good study of the book.
[…] Survey of the Book of Zechariah […]
That’s a number of Messianic Prophecies.
I wish there is a booklet for all books of the bible with a good survey like this one of zecheria then would be helpful for sermon preparation. Thanks bonny okello.