A NEW DAY AND A NEW OPPORTUNITY
We can see, in verse one, that Zechariah started prophesying just 2 months after Haggai. He came with a word from the Lord saying that, although He had been angry with their ancestors, this was a new day with a new opportunity. “Return to me (v3), says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you.” The Lord pleaded with them to be different to their ancestors, who refused to return from their evil ways and deeds. The Lord, therefore, had had to deal with those ancestors according to their ways and deeds (v6) and they had to learn the hard way, exile in Babylon and exclusion from God’s presence.
HIS PRESENCE WOULD RETURN
Whereas Haggai spoke in plain and practical words, Zechariah received a large number of visual and colourful visions; some of which foretold the coming of our Saviour. In fact, he had eight in one night with the first being a man riding on a red horse and behind him were red, sorrel and white horses (v8). The man explained how they had been sent to patrol the earth which they found was resting at peace (v11) and they brought a report back to a nearby angel of the Lord. The angel then pleaded mercy for the people with whom the Lord had been angry with for 70 years, the length of their exile in Babylon. The angel received back “gracious and comforting words” from the Lord and asked Zechariah to proclaim a message (v14) that God was “very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.” His people had gone after other lovers but the Lord wanted them back. The good news was that God, in His compassion, had returned to Jerusalem (v16) and He would again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem. His house (temple) would be rebuilt (in other words his presence would return) and the cities would be prosperous again. For all its small beginnings, this remnant society was going to be the start of something special in God’s plans that would eventually lead to the time of Jesus and the new gospel kingdom.
THEIR ENEMIES WOULD BE DEALT WITH
Then Zechariah saw 4 horns and the angel explained that these were the horns (or kingdoms) that had scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem (v19) and four blacksmiths (v20) were four nations to come against these enemy kingdoms. Judgement was going to come to those enemy nations that seemed at ease and they would soon be shaken (Haggai 2v21,22). This message would encourage those re-building the house of God.
JERUSALEM RESTORED
Chapter 2 and Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line, symbolic of a successful Jerusalem, where there would be multitudes of people. The Lord was going to be both a wall of fire around it and the glory within it (v5), so any dispersed Jews from places like Babylon should return home (v7). He would deal with the enemies that plundered her because (v8) “truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye.” Now was a time for Zion to sing and rejoice because she was His daughter and He was coming back to dwell in her midst again. Many other nations would join themselves to the Lord and would also become his people (v11). The Lord had temporarily turned his back on Jerusalem, during the time of their exile, but he wanted them to know that he was choosing Jerusalem once again (v12); He was roused and about to act (v13).
GOD’s PLAN OF FORGIVENESS
Chapter 3 shows Satan dramatically accusing Joshua, the high priest, and not without reason because we read in verse 3 that he was dressed in filthy sin-stained clothes as he stood before the angel. The Lord wanted to encourage His people that he would give the priesthood access to His presence once again (v7). This was only made possible by the Lord rebuking Satan (v2), taking away Joshua’s guilt (v4) and dressing him in different clean clothes. Joshua, for his part, should walk in the Lord’s ways and keep His requirements (v7).
Joshua and the restored priesthood were just a picture of things to come (v8) when the Lord was going to bring along His servant, the “Branch.” Notice, in Isaiah 11v1, that a spirit-anointed branch would grow out of the roots of Jesse (the kingly line, as Jesse was father of King David). In Zechariah, we see a capital letter for he would be a man, called the Branch, from whom would grow a great tree, the tree of the kingdom. Jesus would also be a “servant” king (v8) and, again in Isaiah (53v2), we have the famous prophetic chapter of the suffering servant growing from a small shoot.
When we consider the stone set before Joshua, a single stone with seven faces, we can see Jesus who was to become the chief cornerstone of a building, symbolic of God’s kingdom people. And when Jesus rose from the dead he removed our guilt in one single day (v9). Sadly, we are not told what inscription was on the stone; perhaps it spoke of God’s love and forgiveness.
BY MY SPIRIT SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS
It appears that Zechariah had fallen into a deep sleep after his first four visions but was awakened by an angel who showed him (4v2) the vision of a golden lampstand that had seven lamps. The unusual feature of this particular lampstand was that it was connected to two living olive trees. Zechariah was confused by this, but in verse 6 the angel told him that this was a word for Zerubbabel, the governor, a man conscious of his own inadequacy, a word of encouragement that God’s spirit would be with him and help him to achieve the impossible, “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” He would complete the building (v9) even though it was many years after he had first laid the foundation. Just like the stone before Joshua had seven faces, so the lampstand had seven lamps which we are told are symbolic of the seven eyes of the Lord ranging through the whole earth (v10). In Revelation 5v6 we see a similar picture of the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. Surely these lamps are a picture of God’s eyes looking and shining through the earth to find those who love him and obey him, people like Zerubbabel, and when found to strengthen them by his Spirit. The olive trees are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. Some think they could represent Joshua and Zerubbabel, the two leaders, but doesn’t the context imply that the olive trees are the source of the oil that lights the lamps. Could they be Jesus and the Holy Spirit who in wonderful unity “stand by” our heavenly Father and are crucial in God’s plans for the earth. With such encouragement who can despise “the day of small things” (v10) when a mountainous problem can become a plain (v7). And those shouts of “grace, grace to it” (v7) surely look forward to the loving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Turning and raising his eyes, Zechariah (ch 5) sees an enormous flying scroll announcing that God will deal with the wicked people in the land; both those who abuse other people and those who abuse God (v3). Then, surprisingly, there was a woman sitting in a basket, representing all the wickedness of the land, which was lifted by two women with stork’s wings and deposited in Shinar, the land of Babylon (5v11). This seems to be symbolic of their sin being taken far away. Why is the evil housed away as if to be opened up in the future? Perhaps the sin is taken away but can only be fully opened up and dealt with when Jesus, the Saviour, comes. in chapter 6, the symbolism is strange with four chariots, pulled by 4 different coloured horses, are described as the four winds of heaven by the angel. This vision seems to correspond to the first vision in Zechariah. Once the house of God had been built and God’s judgement on Babylon complete, God would once again be at ease (v8).
JOSHUA SYMBOLIC OF JESUS THE PRIESTLY KING
The second part of chapter 6 talks about the coronation of Joshua which was an encouragement to him and the other returned captives. We know, from 3v8, that Joshua is symbolic of things to come so, perhaps this shows that, the kingly leadership of the new kingdom will be a priestly one. Zerubbabel was the governor and leader but the house of the Lord has a spiritual foundation. Joshua is again called the Branch who will branch out and build the temple of the Lord (v12). Jesus like Joshua would be a priestly king (v12) who would build the spiritual temple which we know as the gospel kingdom, the kingdom of his presence. As the Lord says, in Haggai (2v9), the latter splendour of the house would be greater than the former. Again in 6v15 those who are far off shall come and help build it.
LISTEN TO GOD’S WORDS
In chapter 7 some people from Bethel came with a question about the validity of their fasting (v3). The Lord’s reply implied that their fasting was only for their own benefit and not for His (v5, 6). Their life needed to change, as well (v9-11), in such matters as justice, kindness and mercy to one another and not oppressing the poor. The Lord’s people had been determined not to listen to His words (v12), given through His prophets, and this had finally led to their exile (v14) and their land left desolate. We see a very interesting principle of God’s dealings with us (v13): “Just as, when I called, they would not hear, so, when they called, I would not hear, says the Lord of hosts.” God is interested in a relationship with us; if we don’t respond to Him He will not respond to us.
EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD
The next word from the Lord, in chapter 8, brought a message that He was “jealous for Zion” (v2); for He wanted to be present with His great love once again. He wanted to dwell in the middle of Jerusalem (v3) and she would be called the “faithful city” and Zion the “holy mountain” (v3). The Lord said that it may seem impossible to that small remnant of people who had come back from exile but “should it (v6) also seem impossible to me.” God still planned to be the God of his people (v8), in faithfulness and righteousness. Life had been tough, in recent times, but now was the start of something new, a time of fruitfulness, a time when His people would be a blessing and not a curse. If, as God’s people, we are not fully committed to him we will not be a blessing to those around us. The message for the remnant was that they should not be afraid and should let their hands be strong (v13). God was encouraging them that He had purposed to do good (15). He was concerned that they should not be afraid but live a positive life, one of truth, justice and love (16,17) and there would be seasons of joy and gladness (v19).
People from other nations would also come to seek God: “in those days ten men from nations of every language shall take hold of one Jew, grasping his garment, and saying, “let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you” (v23). It is God’s presence with us that is attractive to others.
THE KING WILL COME RIDING ON A DONKEY
In chapter 9 God reminds us that he will deal with the enemies that hindered his people; the likes of Syria, Tyre and the Philistines. When God is encamped in His house (v8) no oppressor will be able to overrun them. Jerusalem is promised a king (v9), a triumphant and victorious one, but not, perhaps, the type they might have expected (v9) “humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” So it is clearly Jesus who is to deal with their enemies and bring in the kingdom of peace to the nations, right to the ends of the earth (v10). As we know, the Lord has a “blood” covenant with us and He will set the prisoner free (v11). He will save his flock (v16) and they will flourish and shine like jewels of a crown because God’s goodness and beauty is present (v17). His people should ask for rain for fruitfulness (10v1) and not go seeking after diviners (v2) who utter nonsense and lies.
OUT OF THEM WOULD COME THE CORNERSTONE
God in chapter 10 expresses his frustration with the false religious leaders who let the people wander like sheep. He is the good shepherd who cares for His flock and out of them shall come the cornerstone (v4) and, with the Lord with them, they would be victorious warriors. There was indeed hope for this small remnant because God had compassion on them (v6) and would answer them. They would be as if He had never rejected them. and there would be glad hearts and rejoicing once again (v7). He was going to signal for them and gather them from among the nations (v8) and they would be strong and walk in his name (v12).
REJECTION OF ISRAEL
Chapter 11 is a chapter difficult to understand but in v10 when the shepherd breaks the staff called “favour” (v10) this may refer to the time when God would annul the covenant he had made with the Jews. Judas had been willing to betray Jesus for the price of a slave, 30 pieces of silver (v13). If you turn to Matthew 21v43, where Jesus referred to the cornerstone being rejected in verse 42, he then says in verse 43 “therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.”
But who is the worthless shepherd of v16; is he the antichrist who will lead people away from God just before Jesus comes again?
REPENTANCE AND CLEANSING
In chapter 12, Jerusalem is depicted in some future time as under siege from the nations and it speaks of the strength that the inhabitants of Jerusalem have through the Lord of hosts their God (v5). It will be a day when the inhabitants of Jerusalem will look on the one whom they have pierced (v10) and mourn with repentance. Is this talking of a future day or the repentance of the early church which benefited from the cleansing of the fountain of Christ’s forgiveness mentioned in the next chapter. In chapter 13 we hear that a “fountain that shall be opened to cleanse them from sin and impurity” (v1).
REFINED THROUGH PERSECUTION
It then appears that the land will be refined through persecution and only one third will be left with a renewed relationship with God (v9). Does verse 7 speak of Judas and how the disciples of Jesus deserted him before his crucifixion? Jesus in Matthew 26v31-32 refers to his own rejection when quoting this verse, “strike the shepherd that the sheep may be scattered”. This could then mean that these chapters are more figurative of Christ’s first coming than a prediction of events at Christ’s second coming.
KING OF ALL THE EARTH
However, chapter 14 talks again of a day when all nations will gather against Jerusalem and capture it in battle; the Lord will then return to fight against those nations. The Lord will stand on the mount of Olives, He will come and all the holy ones with him (v5), possibly fulfilling Acts 1v11. The Lord will then be king over all the earth (v9) and the nations will go up to Jerusalem to worship God (v16). This is the great mystery of Zechariah. Does this actually refer to a day when the Lord will come back to the earth and reign from Jerusalem (as many believe)? Or does it refer to the Lord’s victory through the gospel kingdom of God, bringing with it new opportunities for us gentiles.
Some take an enthusiastic and very literal end-time interpretation of this book but is there enough in new testament writings to make this an essential doctrine? If you look at James’s sermon in Acts 15v14-17 you can see how James considered similar verses in Amos (prophesying a rebuilding of the temple) to relate to the first Gentiles coming into the kingdom. Hebrews 12v22 talks about the new Christians coming to a heavenly Jerusalem. Perhaps God used imagery, understandable to people at the time of Zechariah, to illustrate his future care, cleansing, deliverance and glory for his people. On the other hand, it could refer to the period referred to in Revelation 20v7 onwards, a depiction of the church in its last tribulation and final glory.
MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Zechariah is a book full of colourful visions and prophesy. There is no doubt that the main message was to encourage the Jews to rebuild the temple and reconstruct their society. God was again choosing Jerusalem to be the place of his presence and would protect her from her enemies so that she would have an impact on all nations. How would this happen? In Joshua the priest we see that he was a picture of the coming Branch, Jesus, the messiah, a priestly servant king, the chief cornerstone who would remove our guilt and be the start of a new kingdom. Meanwhile in Zerubbabel we see the change when God’s Spirit was with him. In a similar way we are a small remnant in society but should be encouraged by our past, our future and the power of the presence of God within us. God wants a relationship with us but we cannot expect Him to be with us if we do not, on our part, seek Him and desire to follow in His ways.