A Look At Zechariah

Feature 2 –April 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

A Look At
ZECHARIAH

Zechariah 1:1-6
The overall message of the book of Zechariah

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is found in the meanings of the three names of the first verse. At “the appointed time”

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( Iddo ) “Jehovah will remember” (Zechariah) His people and “Jehovah will surely bless” (Berechiah) them. Zechariah was one of Israel’s godly remnant who returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple altar and reconstruct Jerusalem. His prophecy previews Messiah’s kingdom of power and great glory. Only then will true peace and prosperity be enjoyed by the nation.

Zechariah 1:2-6 describes Israel’s cyclical history of blessing, disobedience, warning, disregard of the warning, disciplinary punishment, challenging exhortation, repentance in measure, relief from the discipline, restored communion, and then the bestowal of new and greater blessings (see also 7:8-14 and 8:14-17).

Zechariah 1:7-6:8
All eight visions of Zechariah occurred in one night (1:7-8). Briefly, this is what we discover:

1. The man among the myrtle trees (1:8-17). This first vision showed that God used Gentile nations to discipline Israel when they disobeyed Him. These nations always overstepped their God-given powers. The horseman, the LORD, promised blessings for His restored people.

2. The horns and the carpenters (1:18-21). The horns symbolized the four Gentile nations (the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman Empires) that had scattered or would scatter Judah and destroy Jerusalem. The carpenters were the succeeding powers which would deal with the previous destroyer. The fourth carpenter is the Messiah of Israel (Mt. 24:30).

3. The man with the measuring line (ch.2). God is the one measuring, having ultimate and overall control. “After His glory” (v.8 ESV) and “in that day” (v.11) define when Zechariah’s prophecies will be fulfilled.

4. The cleansing of Joshua the high priest (ch.3). In this vision Satan accused Joshua, but God intervened and rebuked the accuser. The LORD had Joshua’s filthy garments, representing his iniquity, taken away and replaced with clean clothes and a turban. Joshua, meaning “Jehovah saves,” was also a sign of Israel’s great Deliverer, “the Branch” (v.8; Jer. 23:5-6; Isa. 11:1,10). The seven-eyed engraved stone symbolized Christ, competent to govern (see Isaiah 28:16) – which He will do after removing Israel’s iniquity in one day. The vision ends by presenting Messiah’s kingdom.

5. The golden lampstand flanked by the two olive trees (ch.4). This was a message to the civil ruler, Zerubbabel. He would succeed in rebuilding the temple and the nation of Israel, not by military force or by any human authority, but only “by My Spirit” (vv.6-7). In Scripture, oil represents the Spirit’s fullness. A “great mountain” symbolized the obstacles Zerubbabel encountered (v.7, see Ezra); but every difficulty was removed and the headstone put in place to complete the building in “a day of small things” (v.10; Hag. 2:3). Everything happened under the seven eyes of the LORD (see Zechariah 3:9). The two anointed ones in this vision were Joshua and Zerubbabel, through whom grace flowed for the nation’s benefit. In full measure, it will flow through Christ when He sits as Priest-King upon His throne (Ps. 110:1,4).

6. The flying scroll (5:1-4). The scroll symbolized the law with its authority over all Israel. Two of Israel’s common sins, stealing (against man) and casual oath-making (against God), showed that their indifference toward His law was the reason for their captivity in Babylon.

7. The woman sitting in a basket (5:5-11). In this vision the curse from the flying scroll was removed in an ephah, a measuring basket. The woman, Wickedness, symbolized the idolatrous systems of Babylon (see Genesis 11:2; Isaiah 21:9; Revelation 17:5). Idols also had contaminated Israel (Ex. 32; Acts 7:39-43). The two women with stork-like wings took this idolatry back to Shinar – symbolizing how God cleansed the nation (compare with Zechariah 13, the future and final cleansing).

8. The four chariots (6:1-8). The horses again symbolized the angelic powers, called “the four winds of heaven” (v.5), controlling the four great world-empires (review Zechariah 1:9-11). They were sent out by the LORD and produced conditions of peace in “the north country” 3 (vv.7-8). There they influenced the Medo-Persian Empire rulers’ attitude to the benefit of the Jews. Overall, the four empires were used by God to accomplish His will for Israel.

Zechariah 6:9-8:23
The LORD instructed Zechariah to crown Joshua (6:9-15) and pronounce him “the Branch,” who would build the temple and “rule from his throne” (vv.12-15). The prophecy is also of another Priest and King, the Sprout or Shoot of David’s line. In Christ there will be complete harmony between these two offices, called “the counsel of peace” (v.13, consider Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:1-3), for He shall bear the glory and power of royal honor.

The phrase “Thus saith the LORD of Hosts” 4 occurs 46 times in Zechariah. Nearly half of these are in chapters 7-8, which look forward to the future time when Jerusalem will again be surrounded – the object of hatred and target of attack by Gentile nations. But Messiah Himself will fight for His people and deliver them when He returns in power and great glory.

Some Jews sought guidance from Jehovah in relation to the fasts that the nation had been observing during the seventy years of captivity (7:1-10). The people had instituted fasts to bewail, or cry over, their situation, but now that the temple was being rebuilt, should they continue? God questioned their motives for there was no evidence of true repentance and their attitude was not right. Instead, they were to execute true justice, show mercy and compassion to everyone, and not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor.

Zechariah 8 starts another revelation and is divided up by phrases like “Thus says the LORD of Hosts.” God was zealous and jealous for Zion. The LORD will return and dwell in Jerusalem, which will be repopulated and blessed with longevity of life. The LORD of Hosts promises to re-gather the scattered remnants of the whole of Israel. He encourages His people to be strong and not to doubt His word. He will turn poverty and the barrenness into bounty; and cursing into blessings. Then Jerusalem’s administration, seen in their “gates,” will be in righteousness and truth. God will turn their fastings into feasts. Israel, with Jerusalem its capital, will be the center of world government.

Zechariah 9-10
Although Zechariah 9:1-8 foretells the destruction of Israel’s neighbors by the Grecian Empire, this action will be repeated by the Lord at His appearing. He protects Jerusalem from its oppressors. However, Zechariah 9:9, “Behold! thy King is coming to you,” was fulfilled by the Lord Jesus when He rode into Jerusalem, offering Himself as the true Son of David (Mt. 21:1-11; Jn. 19:14). Messiah’s reign will bring peace and prosperity because of the blood of His covenant.

In Zechariah 10 we find the blessing to be enjoyed by Israel. Israel was encouraged to pray for the spring rain (see Deuteronomy 11:14), its return being directly linked to the presence of the LORD during the Millennium (compare with Joel 2:23,26-29). The LORD will punish the wicked leaders who led the people astray (see Ezekiel 34:10), and He will use His people in battle against their oppressors (consider Zechariah 9:16). Zechariah 10:4-5 describes Messiah as:

• the “cornerstone” (see Genesis 49:24; Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6) who is stable, providing lasting blessing for Israel;
• the “peg” or “nail” who will bear the glory (see Isaiah 22:23-24; Zechariah 6:13);
• “the “battle bow” who will accomplish great victories;
• the “ruler” who empowers others.

He will bring back all Israel to their land (see Romans 11:26-27). Verses 8 and 11 of Zechariah 10 state how and why the LORD will do this (also consider Hosea 1:10).

Zechariah 11
Zechariah 11:1-17 describes Israel when led by the failed shepherds (compare with the thieves, robbers and hirelings in John 10:7-21). God pitied the devastated flock (Mt. 9:36). Zechariah’s words and actions describe the faithful shepherd. Verses 15-17 of our chapter prophesy of the foolish, idol/worthless shepherd – Antichrist. Therefore, chapter 11 is relevant to three periods of Israel’s history:

1. Zechariah’s day,
2. Messiah’s first advent, and
3. Israel’s future under the Antichrist.

The faithful Shepherd’s two staffs protect, defend and keep the flock together (Ps. 23:4). Verses 12-13 prophesy of the betrayal of the Lord by Judas Iscariot (Mt. 26:15, 27:1-9), and Messiah’s rejection caused the staffs to be broken.

Zechariah 12-14
Chapters 12-14 form Zechariah’s second oracle. It came from the Creator God (consider Isaiah 42:5). Messiah’s sudden appearance as Israel’s Deliverer will destroy all Gentile armies in the final siege of Jerusalem (see Joel 3:9-12; Revelation 16:14-16). The cup of drunkenness describes the awful experience of the tribulation (see Isaiah 51:21-23), when God will use Gentile nations to exact judgment on the Israel (compare with Vision 1, 1:8-17). When all seems lost for Israel, they will be miraculously helped; Jerusalem saved and preserved by Messiah’s intervention (Rev. 19:11-21). Zechariah 12:10-14 describes how God will effect Israel’s repentance from the heart (see Isaiah 44:3-5; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-32), when they look upon “Him whom they have pierced” (Zech. 12:10; Isa. 53:5).

Israel will be cleansed from “sin and uncleanness” and all idolatry (Zech. 13:1-2, see Hosea 14:8). All false prophets will be removed and farmers will emerge. The exchange about “wounds in thine hands” (Zech. 13:6, KJV) will cause the true prophet to confront cleansed Israel with the reality of Messiah’s death for them, as we read: “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd” (v.7 ESV; see Matthew 26:31). God described Messiah as:

• “My Shepherd” – the true shepherd (compare with Isaiah 40:10-11 and John 10:11);
• “the Man who stands next to Me” – He is both Man and God.

The sheep of Israel were scattered, but not forgotten, at Messiah’s death. Yet, “in that day” they will be gathered again through a process of judgment and refining (Zech. 13:7-9, see Ezekiel 5:12). “Cut-off” means that “two-thirds” of Israel will suffer death as a direct result of God’s judgment – they will pass into eternal punishment. The other third will be brought “through the fire” of testing and suffering, each one to a personal relationship with God (see Hosea 1:9, 2:23).

Zechariah 14 is the climax of his prophecy. Messiah delivers Israel and “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk. 21:24) come to an end. In “the Day of the LORD” He will fight against the nations to rescue His own people and destroy their enemies (Zech. 14:1-3, see Matthew 24:27-31; Revelation 19:11-16). Physically, geographically and personally, He will “stand in that day on the Mount of Olives” (Zech. 14:4, Isa. 52:7), which will split in two to provide an avenue of escape for His people (see Matthew 28:2). The LORD will reign as King of Kings (Isa. 32:1, 61:1-11). Zechariah 14:6-20 catalogues some millennial conditions:

• Sin will be instantly dealt with through strict justice (Ezek. 18:20);
• The Feast of Tabernacles will be both celebrated and fulfilled;
• There will be new ways of worship in the temple (Ezek. 40-48).

“And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘Holy to the LORD.’ And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the LORD of hosts on that day” (Zech. 14:20-21).

END NOTES
1. This article is derived from “A Look At Zechariah,” a series of eight “Truth For Today” talks broadcast on Premier Christian Radio UK. The series is available online.
2. Called “in [on] that day” (Hebrew Yom Hahu, means “His day”) in 2:11, 3:10, 9:16, 11:11 (Messiah’s first advent), 12:3-4,6,8-9,11, 13:1,4 and 14:4,6,8-9,20,21. Called “the day of the LORD” in 14:1 (KJV).
3. “The north country” was north of Israel, where the first two empires were located.
4. “LORD” is “Jehovah,” the Eternal or Self-existent One, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. “Of Hosts” means He is also the Lord of all, including all heavenly hosts and every principality and power in the unseen spiritual world.

By David Anderson