Introduction to the prophet Zechariah
The 38th book of the Bible, consisting of 14 chapters
The “great” among the Minor Prophets 🙂
With its 14 chapters, Zechariah not only contains by far the largest volume of the “Minor Prophets,” but the eleventh book also offers a wealth of prophecies that announce in great detail not only the first but also the second coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
A focus is on the city of Jerusalem, which for a long time becomes a playground for the respective world powers and is beset by suffering and misery, but which in the end is also elevated to the capital of the messianic world kingdom.
The name Zechariah means “God remembers.” Interestingly, in the introduction to his calling as a prophet, his father Berechiah (“God blesses”) and his grandfather Iddo (“At the appointed time”) are mentioned after him.
The prophet Zechariah appeared in the year 520 B.C., just two months after Haggai had begun to proclaim the word of God. And at least for a short time, these two messengers were able to witness the people of Israel turning back to their God.
Zechariah was still very young at that time; he came from a priestly family that had set out from exile in the Babylonian Empire on the journey back to their homeland of Israel following the edict of release issued by Cyrus the Great.
More details on the historical background can be found in the introduction to the prophet Haggai.
The Book of Zechariah can be divided into two or even three parts.
First, Zechariah begins with an introduction in the form of a reminder of the sins of the ancestors and a call to return to God.
This is followed by eight “night visions” or dreams, which are messages from God and whose interpretation Zechariah received assistance with from an angel.
After that, questions concerning fasting are addressed, along with promises for the future.
The final part of the book of the prophet consists of two prophecies, each dealing with the coming of the Messiah.
The first prophecy also describes Christ’s first coming—and the rejection and suffering He must endure.
The second prophecy describes Jesus’ second coming—as the King who judges the kingdoms of the world and establishes Jerusalem as the head among the nations.
Outline of the Book of Zechariah:
Chapters 1–8 – Messages during the construction of the Second Temple
Call to repentance – eight night visions – coronation of the high priest – on fasting
Chapters 9–14 – Revelations about the coming Messiah
Chapters 9–11 – the first coming of the Messiah and his rejection
Chapters 12–14 – His second coming; now He is accepted
Content of the prophet Zechariah:
Zechariah chapter 1
A Call to Repentance
Zechariah’s First Night Vision – Report to the Angel of the LORD
God’s Promises Concerning Jerusalem and Israel
Zechariah chapter 2
The Prophet’s Second Night Vision – Four Horns and Four Smiths
Zechariah’s Third Night Vision – A Man “Measures” Jerusalem in the Kingdom of the Messiah
Zechariah chapter 3
His fourth night vision—a high priest named Joshua (Hebrew: Yehoshua—“The LORD is salvation”—the name of Jesus
Zechariah chapter 4
A fifth night vision – a golden menorah, a seven-branched lampstand, and two olive trees
Zechariah chapter 5
The prophet’s sixth night vision – A curse in the form of a flying scroll
The seventh night vision – A measure of grain containing lawlessness
Zechariah chapter 6
Zechariah’s eighth night vision – Four chariots representing the four winds (or spirits) of heaven, sent forth
The coronation of the high priest Joshua (= Jesus) and an announcement regarding the coming Messiah
Zechariah chapter 7
God desires integrity and compassion from us – far more than fasting
The days of fasting are an outward matter, meaningless to God
God has always demanded only righteousness and love from His people through the prophets, though in vain and to the people’s ruin
Zechariah chapter 8
God loves His people and will bring them great happiness, but He steadfastly upholds His moral demands (seven sayings)
In the future, days of fasting will be replaced by joyful festivals, and the Gentile world will also share in the glory of God’s people
Zechariah chapter 9
God’s judgment on the hostile nations of Syria and Phoenicia and His defense of Jerusalem
The entry and blessed reign of the Prince of Peace in Jerusalem
The liberation and return of the captive Jews, their victory and prosperity
The LORD will come and save His people
Zechariah chapter 10
The LORD grants Judah victory and brings Israel back
God alone bestows every blessing; idols and false prophets bring only disaster
God raises up heroic leaders for his people—now entrusted to the care of evil shepherds—to wage victorious battles
The people scattered throughout the world will return, especially from Egypt and Assyria, and once again become a strong people of God
Zechariah chapter 11
Judgment on Israel—unfaithful shepherds—the good shepherd
The terrible collapse of the hostile world power
The prophet’s calling to be shepherd of the afflicted people
The prophet’s unsuccessful ministry as a shepherd; his humiliating rejection by the owners of the flock
The prophet’s renewed call to the office of shepherd and the threat against the worthless shepherd
Zechariah chapter 12
The nations attack Jerusalem, but it is saved; the city becomes a burden to all nations; its enemies are destroyed
Zechariah chapter 13
The divine cleansing of the people; the removal of idolatry, false prophecy, and all impurity
The stricken Shepherd and the scattered sheep—the purification and restoration of Israel
Zechariah chapter 14
The Day of the LORD, His return to the Mount of Olives, battle and distress, but also salvation in Jerusalem
The miraculous events in nature on the Day of the LORD
Judgment upon the nations that have waged war against Jerusalem
All nations will worship the LORD in Jerusalem
In Judah and Jerusalem, even the most common household items will then be sanctified