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THE MINOR PROPHETS

 

The Prophet Zechariah

Build the Temple Because The Messiah Is Coming

Lesson #12

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Zechariah is the eleventh of the Minor Prophets.

 

B.   His is the longest of the twelve containing 14 chapters and 211 verses.

 

C.   He also has more to say about the Messiah than any prophet other than Isaiah.

 

D.   His book can be divided in two ways.

1.    Chapters 1-8 (518 B.C.) and Chapters 9-11 (480 B.C.).  These seem to be two prophecies given at different times:  Part 1, Darius I and Part 2, Xerxes.

2.    One can divided the book into three sections:

a.    The eight visions (Zech. 1-6)

b.    The question about fasting (Zech. 7-8)

c.    The coming Messiah (Zech. 9-14)

 

E.   A common phrase found in the book is “the Lord of hosts.”  This writer counted its use at least 53 times in the book (See Zech. 1:3).

 

Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.

 

F.    Again, there are many interesting passages that could be discussed.

1.    “…Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings:  but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord” (Zech. 1:4).

2.    “…Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem, and for Zion with a great jealousy” (Zech. 1:14).

3.    “For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her” (Zech. 1:5).

4.    “Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord:  for he is raised up out of his holy habitation” (Zech. 2:13).

5.    “…for behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH” (Zech. 3:8).

6.    “For who hath despised the day of small things?...” (Zech. 4:10).

7.    “…Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord” (Zech. 6:12).

8.    “…and he shall be a priest upon his throne…” (Zech. 6:13).

9.    “Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and pray before the Lord” (Zech. 8:22).

10. “For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty…” (Zech. 9:17).

11. “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1).

12. “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth:  in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zech. 14:9).

 

I.             THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK

 

A.   The author is a man named Zechariah (Zech. 1:1)

 

…came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah…

 

1.    This was a common name in Israel.  There are about 29 individuals with this name in the Bible.

2.    His name means:  “God remembers.”

 

B.   Background:

1.    He appears to have been born in Babylon.

2.    We are given the names of his father and grandfather (Zech. 1:1).

 

In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying…

 

a.    Iddo was one of the priests who returned to Jerusalem after the Jews were allowed to leave captivity (Neh.  12:4, 16).

b.    Thus, Zechariah was not only a prophet, but was also a member of the priestly tribe.

3.    According to Jewish tradition, Zechariah was a member of the Great Synagogue that collected and preserved the cannon of revealed Scripture” (Wilkinson & Boa, 289).

4.    Matthew 23:35 indicates that he was a martyr for the Almighty God.

 

That upon you may come the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zecharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between he temple and the altar.

 

C.   This book, like the others, emphasizes to us that Zechariah was simply a mouthpiece for God.  The words were the Lord’s (Zech. 1:1). 

 

II.           THE RECIPIENTS OF THE BOOK

 

A.   The recipients of the book were the Jews who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity.

 

B.   They had grown discouraged after laying the foundation of the temple (See Zech. 4:10).

 

C.   Thus, part of Zechariah’s mission was to encourage them to build the temple once again.

 

D.   His approach is somewhat different from that of Haggai.  Instead of rebuking them, he shows them the necessity of building the temple.  It will be important in the life of the Messiah who is predicted to come.

 

III.         THE DATE OF THE BOOK

 

A.   Zechariah’s prophecy came at two different times.

1.    The first section was proclaimed about 518 B.C.

2.    This is when he exhorted the Jews to build the temple.

3.    At this time, he was a contemporary with Haggai (See Ezra 3:12; 6:14).

 

B.   The second part of Zechariah’s prophecy came later.

1.    He prophesied again about 480 B.C.

2.    Now his focus is upon the Messiah in chapter 9-14.

a.    He sees a rejected Savior (Zech. 9-11).

b.    Then, he sees a reigning Savior (Zech. 12-14).

 

C.   NOTE:  Because the two sections are different from one another, there are some who believe that another author wrote Part II.  However, there is great unity in the book.  The differences can be explained simply by the fact that the author is writing at a different time about a different subject.

 

IV.         THE THEME OF THE BOOK

 

A.   The theme of Zechariah is:  “Build the Temple Because Messiah Is Coming.”

 

B.   The book has three main sections dealing with the theme.

1.    The eight visions.

a.    The rider on the red horse (Zech. 1:8).

 

I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse…

 

1)    He and others rode through the earth (Zech. 1:10).

2)    What they found:  “…and, behold, the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.”

3)    There is also a promise to build the house of the Lord (Zech. 1:16).

 

Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies:  my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord…

 

b.    Four horns (Zech. 1:18)

 

Then lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

 

1)    The horns are the powers that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

2)    These powers did not and will not prevail.  The carpenters (Zech. 1:20) will build the house of God.

c.    A man with a measuring line (Zech. 2:1)

 

I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

 

1)    The man was not allowed to measure Jerusalem.

2)    God would be the wall (Zech. 2:5).

3)    The exiles are called to come (Zech. 2:7) and others would also join them (Zech. 2:11).

d.    The clothing of the high priest (Zech. 3:1, 3)

 

And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord…Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments…

 

1)    It was sin and corruption that had taken Israel into captivity.

2)    Now that they were returning to Jerusalem after the captivity, their clothes had been cleansed (Zech. 3:4).

 

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him.  And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

 

e.    The candlestick, seven lamps, and two olive trees (Zech. 4:2-3)

 

And said unto me, What seest thou?  And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick of all gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:  and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side of the bowl.

 

1)    The candlestick and the lamps represent the light of God’s Word given to Israel.

2)    The olive trees are representative of the ministers of God at that time who were communicating the Word of the Lord to the people (Zech. 4:6).

 

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts.

 

f.     The flying scroll (Zech. 5:1)

 

Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

 

1)    Those who disobey God’s Word need to beware.

2)    God will judge and punish the lawbreakers.  Two examples are given:  the thief and those who swear falsely (Zech. 5:4).

g.    Woman clothed with an ephah (Zech. 5:7)

 

And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead:  and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.

 

1)    An ephah was usually worn by a priest, a spiritual leader.

2)    Here, Zechariah sees a woman wearing the ephah.  She could represent the false teachings the children of Israel had been receiving through their leaders.

3)    She is not allowed to remain.  Two women with wings bear her away (Zech. 5:9).  She is allowed to build a house in Shinar (Zech. 5:11).

 

And he said unto me, To build it a house in the land of Shinar:  and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

 

h.    Four chariots (Zech. 6:1)

 

And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.

 

1)    Each chariot had different colored horses:  red, black, white, and grizzled (Zech. 6:2-3).

2)    “These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth” (Zech. 6:5).

3)    The black and white horse go to the north to bring punishment upon the enemies of God’s people (Zech. 6:6a).

4)    The grizzled went to the south (Zech. 6:6b).

5)    The bay went forth to all the earth.

6)    Two events:

a)    Joshua is crowned (Zech. 6:11).

b)    The temple is built (Zech. 6:15).

2.    The four answers to the question about fasting.

a.    The question:  “Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done so many years?” (Zech. 7:3).

b.    The four answers:

1)    It was not a fast commanded by God (Zech. 7:4-7).

2)    Instead of fasting, they needed to execute the Word of God in their lives and in the nation (Zech. 7:8-14).

3)    The Lord wants His nation restored and the temple built (Zech. 8:1-17).

4)    The fasting of the past shall be replaced with “joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts” (Zech. 8:18-23).

3.    The two burdens concerning the Messiah (Zech. 9-14)

a.    Remember, these last five chapters of the book were written several years after the first eight chapters.

b.    The prophet now looks down the corridors of time and presents the Messiah to Israel in two ways

1.    First, He is seen as the Rejected Savior.

a.    The King comes (Zech. 9:9).

b.    The King is betrayed (Zech. 11:12-13).

c.    The Shepherd is smitten (Zech. 13:7).

2.    Second, He is seen as The Reigning Savior

a.    The death of the Shepherd, however, will provide a “fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1).

b.    “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth:  in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zech. 14:9).

 

V.           THE KEY VERSE

 

A.   Zechariah 4:8-9

 

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hand shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.

 

B.   The purpose of Zechariah’s prophecy was to encourage Israel to build the temple.  His approach involved the Messiah.  The temple needed to be built because the Messiah would need it for His purposes.

 

VI.         CHRIST IN ZECHARIAH (Points taken from Wilkinson & Boa, 290)

 

A.   The angel of the Lord (3:1-2)

 

B.   The righteous Branch (3:8; 6:12-13)

 

C.   The stone with seven eyes (3:9)

 

D.   The King-Priest (6:13)

 

E.   The humble King (9:9-10)

 

F.    The cornerstone, tent-peg, and bow of battle (10:4)

 

G.   The good shepherd who is rejected for thirty pieces of silver (11:4-13)

 

H.   The pierced One (12:10)

 

I.     The cleansing fountain (13:1)

 

J.    The smitten Shepherd who is abandoned (13:7)

 

K.   The coming Judge and righteous King (14)

 

VII.       AN EVANGELISTIC PROPHECY

 

A.   There are many passages in the book of Zechariah that indicate that all people and nations are important to God.

 

B.   Passages:

1.    Zechariah 2:11

 

And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people:  and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

 

2.    Zechariah 4:10

 

…they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

 

3.    Zechariah 6:15

 

And they that are afar off shall come and build the temple of the Lord…

 

4.    Zechariah 8:22

 

Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.

 

5.    Zechariah 14:16

 

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The work of both Haggai and Zechariah was profitable.

 

B.   The children of Israel resumed work on the temple and completed it in 516 B.C.

 

C.   The prophecies they proclaimed about the Messiah were greatly anticipated by the Jews.

 

D.   Eventually, they would be fulfilled when Jesus came to the earth.  The wait, however, would be some 500 years.

 

 

 

 

 

The Resolution for Women: At a Glance

 

·        I DO solemnly resolve before God to embrace my current season of life and live with a spirit of contentment.

 

·        I WILL champion God’s model for womanhood and teach it to my children.

 

·        I WILL celebrate my God-given uniqueness and the distinctions He has placed in others.

 

·        I WILL live as a woman answerable to God and faithfully committed to His Word.

 

·        I WILL seek to devote the best of myself to the primary roles God has entrusted to me.

 

·        I WILL be quick to listen, slow to speak, and esteem others more highly than myself.

 

·        I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.

 

·        I WILL not tolerate evil influences in myself or my home but will embrace a life of purity.

 

·        I WILL pursue justice, love mercy, and extend compassion toward others.

 

·        I WILL be faithful to my husband and honor him in my conduct and in my conversation, and will aspire to be a suitable partner for him to help him reach his God-given potential.

 

·        I WILL teach my children to love God, respect authority, and live responsibly.

 

·        I WILL cultivate a peaceful home where God’s presence is sensed.

 

·        I WILL make today’s decisions with tomorrow’s impact in mind and consider my current choices in light of future generations.

 

·        I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.The Resolution for Women (careforpastors.org)