1 In November of the second year
of King Darius’s (Hystaspes) reign, the LORD gave this message to the prophet
Zechariah…. 2 “I, the LORD, was very angry with your ancestors. 3
Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies (Yahweh)
says: Return to Me (repent), and I will return to you, says the LORD of
Heaven’s Armies.’ 4 Do not be like your ancestors who would not
listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what
the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways and stop all your
evil practices.’… 6 But everything I said through My servants the
prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they
repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the LORD of
Heaven’s Armies. He has done what He said He would do.’” … 14 Then
the angel said to me (Zechariah), “Shout this message for all to hear: ‘This is
what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is
passionate and strong…. 16 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I
have returned to show mercy (lovingkindness and compassion) to Jerusalem. My
Temple will be rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will
be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.’ 17 Say this also:
‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The towns of Israel will again
overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose
Jerusalem as His own.’” Zechariah 1:1-4, 6, 14, 16-17,
New Living Translation 2nd Edition
The Old Testament book of Zechariah
proclaims the living LORD God’s hope and bright future for His faithful,
humble, and repentant people (e.g., see Zechariah 1:14, 16-17; Zechariah
8:3, 14-15). Moreover, the book of Zechariah assures God’s people the living
LORD God’s Presence with them through His Spirit – the Spirit of the LORD
(e.g., see Zechariah 4:4-6). Most importantly, prophet Zechariah proclaims the
living LORD God Almighty will be King over the whole world (Zechariah 9:9;
Zechariah 14:9, 16-17; see also Revelation 11:15).
The meaning of Zechariah’s name is “the
LORD (Yahweh) has remembered.” Zechariah’s grandfather Iddo was among the first
Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem in 539 BC (see Ezra 5:1; 6:14).
The book of Nehemiah informs us that Iddo returned to Jerusalem
from Babylon with Zerubbabel and Joshua (see Nehemiah 12:4). Nehemiah also
lists Zechariah as the head of the family of priests descended from Iddo (see Nehemiah
12:1, 16). This suggests that Zechariah was both a priest and prophet in
Jerusalem, like the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Zechariah 1:1, 7; see
Jeremiah 1:1; Ezekiel 1:3). The Lord Jesus mentioned righteous Zechariah by
name during His public ministry as being murdered by the Jews (see Matthew
23:35-36; Luke 11:50-51). Amazingly, the prophet Zechariah gives a grand
portrait of the Messiah (Christ) in His first coming as well as His second
coming when He will be crowned King of all the earth (e.g., see Zechariah
3:8-9; Zechariah 6:9-15; Zechariah 9:9-10; Zechariah 14:9).
The living and sovereign LORD God Almighty
raised up the prophet Zechariah along with Haggai to encourage and help His Jewish
people returning from Exile during the restoration period (Zechariah 1:1; see
also Ezra 5:1; Ezra 6:14; Haggai 1:1). Unfortunately, the living LORD God
allowed His people Israel and Judah to go into foreign Exile and become
devoured with war, famine, and disease because of their repeated unfaithfulness
and rebellion against Him and His covenant (e.g., see Jeremiah 14:11-12). Yet,
the living LORD God remembered His covenant promises to His people promised to
return to His people if His people return to Him (see Zechariah 1:3).
Prior to the Exile, the leadership and
people of Israel and Judah became more and more rebellious and unfaithful
to the living LORD God and His covenant (Zechariah 1:4; see also e.g., 2 Kings
17:7-23; 2 Kings 21:10-16; Psalm 78:8; Jeremiah 2:5). Israel and Judah followed
all the evil pagan practices of the surrounding nations, relied on foreign
powers, and sinfulness became deeply engrained in their hearts and minds (e.g.,
see 1 Chronicles 5:25; 2 Chronicles 36:14; Isaiah 7:1-9; Hosea 10:1-8). Israel
and Judah turned their hearts away from the living LORD God Almighty and
worshipped other gods, sacred stones, idols, and even the starry hosts of
heaven (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:10-12). The living LORD God Almighty repeatedly
sent His servants (prophets) to warn Israel and Judah to repent of their
wicked sins, turn from their evil ways, and obey Him and His covenant because
He loved His people (Zechariah 1:4; see also e.g., Exodus 20:1-23:9; 2
Kings 17:13; 2 Chronicles 24:19; 2 Chronicles 36:15; Isaiah 1:15-20, 23-24; Isaiah
45:22; Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 11:7-8; Jeremiah 25:4-6; Jeremiah 35:15-16;
Ezekiel 33:10-11). Through His prophets, the living LORD God commanded Israel
and Judah to do right and good by seeking mercy and justice for orphans
(fatherless), the poor, foreigners (refugees), and the widows (e.g., see Exodus
22:21-23; Leviticus 25:17; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Isaiah 56:1; Jeremiah 5:1, 28; Jeremiah
22:3-5; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:6-8). Even more, the living LORD
God commanded the people to turn from adultery, sexual sins, murder,
greed, falsehood, dishonesty, thief, and bribes (e.g., see Isaiah 1:21-23;
Galatians 5:17-21).
Despite the holy prophet’s
repeated message to REPENT and turn from evil doing, Israel and Judah scorned
and refused to listen to the living LORD God’s prophets and ignored God’s
requirements for righteousness (Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 7:11-12; see also e.g.,
2 Kings 17:13-15; 2 Chronicles 36:16). Instead of listening to the living LORD
God’s holy prophets, the people turned to idolatry and lying
priests and prophets that polluted God’s land and led the people away
from the living LORD God and His covenant (e.g., see Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Deuteronomy
18:9-14; 2 Chronicles 36:14; Jeremiah 14:14-15; Jeremiah 23:13, 16-17, 30-31; Lamentations
4:13).
So, the living LORD God became angry at
Israel and Judah and decided to punish His wicked people (Zechariah 1:2, 12, 15;
see also e.g., see 2 Chronicles 36:16; Isaiah 1:24-24). First, the living and
sovereign LORD God Almighty raised up the Assyrians against the ten northern
tribes of Israel (see 2 Kings 17:1-6). In 722 BC, the Assyrian army destroyed
the ten northern tribes of Israel and banished Israel from the living LORD
God’s presence (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:18-20). Israel’s punishment happened
because of their repeated disobedience against the living LORD God and His
covenant (e.g., see 2 Kings 18:11-12; Daniel 9:6, 10).
After Judah and Jerusalem saw what
happened to Israel’s ten northern tribes, the people temporarily repented and
turned to the living LORD God Almighty under the good kingships of King Hezekiah
and his son Josiah (e.g., see 2 Kings 18:3-8; 2 Kings 22:1-2). Hezekiah and Josiah
rid Judah and Jerusalem of mediums, spiritists, household gods, idols, and
other forbidden worship objects in Judah and turned the people’s hearts to
worshipping and serving the true and living LORD God Almighty (e.g., see 2
Kings 23:21-25). However, after King Hezekiah and King Josiah’s deaths, the
people of Judah and Jerusalem turned back to their wickedness, rebellion, and
evil doing against the living LORD God Almighty and His covenant. Judah and
Jerusalem worshipped other gods, practiced sorcery and divination, and
consulted mediums and spiritists (e.g., see 2 Kings 21:1-9). Because of such
evil and wickedness, the living and sovereign LORD God Almighty raised up the Babylonians
against Judah and Jerusalem to punish His wicked and rebellious people (e.g., 2
Kings 21:10-16; 2 Kings 23:26-28; 2 Kings 25:1-25; 2 Chronicles 36:17). The
living LORD God permitted the Babylonians to invade Jerusalem and Judah
beginning in 605 BC and again in 597 BC (e.g., see 2 Kings 24:1-2, 10-12; Ezekiel
1:1-2; Daniel 1:1-2). Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael and
Azariah were some of the Jews included in the first Babylonian exile in 605 BC
(see Daniel 1:1-3, 6-7). The prophet Ezekiel was among some of the Jews
included in Babylon’s second deportation from Jerusalem and Judah (see Ezekiel
1:1).
Finally, in 586 BC, the living LORD God
allowed the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem, break down the walls of the city,
and set fire to Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple (see 2 Kings 25:1-21; 2
Chronicles 36:17-21). Then, the living LORD God shattered His people (see
Zechariah 1:18-20). For seventy years, God’s people had no Temple and the
Promised Land was dormant and enjoyed its Sabbath rests because of Israel and
Judah’s rebellion, disobedience, and unfaithfulness to the living LORD
God and His covenant (Zechariah 1:12; see also e.g., 2 Chronicles 36:21; Jeremiah
25:8-14; Jeremiah 44:2-6; Daniel 9:2). Essentially, the Assyrians and the
Babylonians became the living LORD God’s rod and wrath to punish His people
Israel and Judah for their repeated rebellion, evil doing, and unfaithfulness
against Him and His covenant (e.g., 2 Kings 17:2-23; 2 Kings 24:14; Isaiah 10:5-12;
Jeremiah 25:7-14; Jeremiah 52:4-27). Israel and Judah’s repeated sinfulness
brought the living LORD God’s punishment (e.g., see Ezekiel 24:14; Ezekiel
36:16-19; Zechariah 8:14)! In summary, the living LORD God holds people
responsible for the choices they make.
The prophet Zechariah reminded the
people why they experienced the living LORD God’s wrath during the Exile (see Zechariah
1:5-6). Moses predicted Israel and Judah’s punishment many centuries earlier at
Mount Sinai with the giving of the covenant if they disobeyed and rebelled
against the living LORD God and His covenant (Zechariah 1:6; e.g., see Leviticus
26:14-39; Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The Word of the living LORD God is eternal
and everlasting (e.g., see Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:30). However, the
prophet Jeremiah predicted the restoration of Israel and Judah after the
seventy-year Exile (e.g., see Jeremiah 29:10-14). During the seventy years of
Exile, God’s people realized their rebellion, repented and confessed
their sins and evil against the living LORD God and His covenant (Zechariah
1:6; see also e.g., Lamentations 2:17; Daniel 9:4-24). The living LORD God heard
His people’s genuine and wholehearted prayers of repentance and forgave
their sins (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 32:5-7; Psalm 51:1-4; Proverbs
28:13). Psalm 126 records the joy and laughter of God’s restored people after
the Exile.
The prophet Zechariah assured Israel and
Judah that the living LORD God had heard their prayers of repentance, and He
was ready to restore and bless His people (Zechariah 1:12-13; see also Jeremiah
29:10-11). The living and sovereign LORD God Almighty is merciful and ready
to forgive EVERYONE who genuinely and humbly repents of their sins and turn
wholeheartedly to Him with all love and obedience (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7;
Leviticus 26:40-43; Psalm 103:8-13; Daniel 9:9; Micah 7:18-19; Zechariah 3:4; 1
John 1:9). In His eternal mercy and compassion, the living LORD God
promised restoration and blessing to His repented people (e.g.,
see 2 Chronicles 36:21-23; Ezra 1:1-4). Even though the living LORD God
punished Israel and Judah for their sins and rebellion, He still LOVED His
people and NEVER rejected Israel and Judah (Zechariah 1:14, 16;
Zechariah 8:1-3; e.g., see Leviticus 26:44-45; Ezekiel 11:16). Israel and Judah
continued to be the apple of the living LORD God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8; see also
Deuteronomy 32:10).
Through His prophet Zechariah, the
living LORD God Almighty promised He and His Presence would return to Israel
and Judah to show His people mercy and bring His restoration and blessings to
His repentant people (see Zechariah 1:16-17; Zechariah 8:14-15). Even more, the
living LORD God through His prophet Zechariah promised to Jerusalem and Judah His
Presence to live there again with His people and establish His rule over all
the earth (see Zechariah 14:8-11). Nevertheless, the prophet Zechariah warned
Israel and Judah NOT to repeat the sins that had led to Israel and Judah into
foreign exile, and he warned EVERYONE to return to the living LORD God
and His righteous covenant (see Zechariah 1:3). The living LORD God Almighty always
remain faithful to His covenant (e.g., see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12). The heart of the covenant is to love the LORD God with
all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one another (e.g.,
see Matthew 22:34-40, quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Leviticus 19:18).
Because of His love for His people, the living
and sovereign LORD God raised up the Persia kings Cyrus and later Darius
(Hystaspes) to restore His people Israel and Judah to His land, Palestine and
rebuild the Temple (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1,
13; Ezra 1:1-4, Ezra 6:3-5). The Old Testament book of Ezra tells of God’s
people under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua returning to Palestine to
rebuild Jerusalem and His Temple in approximately 538 BC through King Cyrus pronouncement
(Zechariah 4:8-9; see also Ezra 2:68-3:13).
However, the returning Jews stopped the
rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple because of discouragement, enemy opposition,
and even government opposition (e.g., see Ezra 4:1-5, 23-24). Even worse, the
returning Jews began to devote their time and strength on their personal
homes, luxuries, and comforts and ignored God’s House – the Temple (e.g., see
Haggai 1:3-4). For nearly 20 years, the Temple and Jerusalem laid in ruins! The
Jerusalem construction site laid neglected for nearly two decades.
Because the people ignored Jerusalem and
the living LORD God’s house – the Temple, the people experienced scarcity and
could not meet their basic needs despite their hard work and labor. God’s people
were working hard, but the living LORD God did not bless their efforts because
they ignored living LORD God’s House FIRST (e.g., see Haggai 1:5-6, 9-11;
Haggai 2:14-17)! The people worked hard; however, their crops failed, and their
money disappeared as soon as they earned money because they had the WRONG
priorities. The people needed to place GOD
FIRST by rebuilding the Temple (see Haggai 1:2, 4, 8-9)! The Temple
symbolized the living LORD God’s Presence (Name) and His honor (Ezra 6:12; see
also Exodus 20:24).
Then in approximately 520 BC during
Darius of Persia’s reign, the living and sovereign LORD God raised up His
servants, Haggai and Zechariah to encourage God’s people to finish the work of
rebuilding Jerusalem and God’s Temple (see Ezra 5:1-2; Ezra 6:14; Haggai 1:2,
7-8, 15; Zechariah 1:1, 7; Zechariah 7:1; Zechariah
8:9-11). These two prophets invigorated God’s people to be strong and to
finish the living LORD God’s Temple under Zerubbabel and Joshua’s leadership
(see Haggai 1:14-15; Zechariah 1:1, 7; Zechariah 8:12-13). The prophets Haggai
and Zechariah assured the people that the living LORD God Almighty’s Presence
and Power were with them through His Spirit – the Spirit of the LORD – to
finish the work (Haggai 1:13; Haggai 2:4-5; Zechariah 4:6-7; see also 2 Samuel
5:10; 2 Chronicles 1:1). The living and sovereign LORD God is Almighty, and His
Holy Spirit is present and patrols throughout the whole earth (Zechariah
1:7-11; Zechariah 4:10; Zechariah 6:5-8; see also Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).
The living LORD God Almighty rules the heaven and the earth (e.g., see
also Daniel 4:34-37; Daniel 6:25-27)!
Whereas Haggai’s focused on the
rebuilding of God’s Temple and the reinstitution of the sacrificial system,
Zechariah’s focused on the people’s spiritual transformation. In these
post-exilic books, Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to TRUST
and HONOR the living LORD God, live MORAL LIVES, and place Him FIRST
in their lives and hearts (see Haggai 2:10-17; Zechariah 7:8-10). If the
people honored the living LORD God and lived moral (righteous lives), the LORD
promised to bless His people with His PRESENCE and grace (Haggai 1:7-8; see
also 1 Chronicles 28:9-10; Matthew 6:33). Because the people listened to the
prophets Haggai and Zechariah and rebuilt the Temple, the people began to
prosper and become successful (see Ezra 6:14).
The people obeyed Haggai’ and
Zechariah’s voice and began to rebuild and complete God’s house – the Temple
(see Haggai 1:12-15). God’s house – called the Second Temple by scholars – was
fully completed and dedicated in 515 BC and the people celebrated the
completion with joy (see Ezra 6:15-16). The prophets Haggai and Zechariah knew
the coming glory of the Messiah would one day fill this Second Temple (e.g.,
see Haggai 2:6-9; Zechariah 9:9-10). The Messiah, who is the Desire of All Nations,
would fill this Second Temple with His glory and the Presence of the LORD (Haggai
2:7, 9; see also Luke 2:32).
Moreover, the prophet Zechariah urged God’s
people to REPENT and wholeheartedly RETURN to the living LORD God, and Zechariah
assured the people the living LORD God would come to them (Zechariah 1:3-6; Zechariah
7:8-14; see also Ezekiel 18:30-32; 2 Corinthians 5:20; James 4:8). Even more, Zechariah
encouraged the people to judge fairly and show mercy and kindness to one
another, NOT oppress and mistreat widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor,
and not scheme against and exploit others (see Zechariah 7:8-10). Zechariah
encouraged the Jews to obey the LORD’s covenant, especially in matters of justice,
mercy, compassion, forgiveness, goodness
(righteousness), fairness, and truthfulness (Zechariah 8:15-17;
see also Leviticus 25:17; Deuteronomy 22:1; Isaiah 56:1; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8:
Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 22:37; Matthew 23:23). Zechariah was
concerned that the returning Jews from Exile did not repeat the mistakes of
their forefathers whose disobedience and evil doing against the living LORD God
and His covenant had brought upon them the living LORD God’s wrath and judgment
(see Zechariah 1:1-6). Very similar to the previous prophets, Zechariah was
concerned about goodness, honesty, and social justice,
particularly for the poor, widows, elderly, oppressed, orphans, and foreigners (e.g.,
Exodus 22:21-23; Leviticus 19:32-37; Proverbs 22:22-23; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Jeremiah
5:27-28; Jeremiah 21:12; Amos 5:24; James 1:27).
In the past, Israel and Judah failed to
follow these moral covenant instructions sent by His Spirit to the holy
prophets, and the living LORD God punished and scattered His evil and
rebellious people (Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 2:6; Zechariah 7:11-14; see also Deuteronomy
28:33; Jeremiah 22:3-5, 17; Ezekiel 5:9-12). Even more, the living LORD God
refused to listen to His people’s prayers and petitions because of their
rebellion and wickedness (Zechariah 7:13; see also Proverbs 1:24-32; Isaiah
1:15). Zechariah proclaimed that only faith and obedience to the
living LORD God and His moral covenant would usher in blessing and prosperity (Zechariah
7:8-12; Zechariah 8:14-17; see also Proverbs 1:33). Zechariah points out that
the key to a right relationship and worship of the living LORD God Almighty is
obedience to Him and His moral covenant (see also Jeremiah 7:1-11). Legalistic
observance to the Law would never serve as a substitute for reflecting the
living LORD God Almighty’s love for one another in everyday living (e.g.,
see Matthew 22:27; Luke 10:25-37).
Even today, the living LORD God’s moral
and good standards still apply to the church (e.g., see Galatians 5:16-26). In
His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed the need to seek God’s Kingdom and His
righteous by living moral lives (e.g., see Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:46-49; Luke
8:19-21; Luke 11:27-28; 1 John 2:5). Everyone who repented, accepted
and obeyed the message of God’s Kingdom and produced good fruit received
the treasures of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13:8, 23; see also e.g., Matthew
21:28-32, 43; John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:5-8, 10; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John
5:3). The more you love, honor, and obey the living LORD God as your King,
the more heavenly goodness, blessings, and treasures that He gives you from His
Kingdom (Matthew 13:12, 16-17; see also Matthew 6:33; Matthew 25:29; Mark
4:24-25; Luke 19:26-27; John 15:2, 5). Amazingly, the message of Zechariah and
the other Old Testament prophets are the SAME message of Jesus – obey the
living LORD God and do good to others (e.g., see Matthew 5:1-12; Matthew 7:12;
Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 8:15, 19-21)!
References
Amplified
Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987).
Apologetics
Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe
(Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).
ESV
Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Bibles, 2008).
NLT
Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub.,
2008).
Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).
The
Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).
Zondervan
NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
2008).
