Ralph Porter
© 2002
AUTHOR, DATE AND BACKGROUND
The author of the book is identified as Zechariah, a contemporary prophet of Haggai.
Therefore, the historical setting is the same as that of Haggai.
They worked together to motivate those who returned to Israel under the edict of Cyrus
to build the temple.
Zechariah extends to a later period than Haggai.
PURPOSE AND THEME
The meanings of the names of his genealogy recorded in 1:1 combine to reveal
the
message of the book:
Zechariah => "Yahweh remembers"
He is the son of Berechiah => "Yahweh will bless"
He is the grandson of Iddo => "His appointed time"
From these names can be drawn the message of the book:
"Yahweh remembers His people and will bless them in His appointed time."
The prophecy is given to encourage the people to rebuild the temple.
It contains a detailed description of the judgment of the nations and the resultant
blessings for Israel.
The book also calls the attention of the people to God's covenant program.
Yahweh has remembered Israel and is instituting a program which will climax in the
fulfillment of the covenants, the millennial kingdom.
They are at a turning point in Israel's history.
They have been judged and are starting a new generation, a new relationship to God,
a new challenge and a fresh renewal of the promises.
God has turned back to Israel.
Therefore, they should repent and submit to his authority, in order to experience the
blessings He has promised them.
Zechariah emphasizes God's program for Israel, while Daniel emphasizes
God's
program for gentiles in the same period.
APPLICATION
What lessons do we learn about our lives today from this prophecy?
"Yahweh Remembers!"
Ralph Porter
|
EIGHT VISIONS 1-6 |
FOUR MESSAGES 7-8 |
TWO BURDENS 9-14 |
|
Divine Program for Israel |
The Question of the Fasts |
Divine Program for Gentiles |
|
Call to Repentance 1:1-6 Historical introduction 1 Prerequisite for blessing 2-6
1:7-6:8
1:7-17 Recognition of Israel's state and promise of deliverance.
1:18-21 God will use 4 gentile powers to subdue Israel but will raise 4 deliverers.
2:1-13 Jerusalem will be restored.
3:1-10 The nation will be cleansed and restored to their chosen position.
4:1-14 Their function as lights will be performed by the power of the Spirit under Messiah.
5:1-4 Sin must be the judged.
5:5-11 False religious system is removed.
6:1-8 Judgments will bring them to confession.
Coronation of Joshua 6:9-15 Picture of the coming priest-king. |
First Message 7:1-7
1-3 Should the fasts be continued?
4-7 They were misusing the purpose of the fasts.
7:8-14
8-10
11-12 Rejection
13-14 Judgment
8:1-17
1-8
9-17
8:18-23
18-19
20-23
fasts. Your motives have been wrong. Decide in the light of what God is going to do for you. He will bless you and you will forget your suffering. |
First Burdensome Message 9-11
and its effect on Israel.
9:1-8
9:9
coming 9:10-10:12
11:1-17
12-14
Movement of gentiles against Israel that will force them to confession and repentance.
12-13
12:1-9
12:10-13:6
13:7-14:21
13:7-9
14:1-5
14:6-21 |
Ralph Porter
Psalm 63:1
David was in the desert of Judah.
He was experiencing the hot sun and the thirst that the desert dryness produces.
His physical condition makes him think about his spiritual condition.
He felt like he was in a spiritual desert, far from God, far from God's house and far from God's people.
He desired to go back and enjoy the intimate fellowship with God he had known so well in the past.
Have you ever been out on the desert?
You know about the hot sun, the dry wind, and the lack of water?
We will probably never have to pass the long time on the desert that David did.
But we all know something about being on that spiritual desert David was talking about.
We have all passed long periods under the hot sun of life in the world, without enjoying the refreshing springs of living water which David was
desiring to enjoy again.
Israel had just come through more than 70 years in a spiritual desert.
God punished them for their disobedience and idolatry by sending them into
captivity where
they could recognize the spiritual "dry spell" they were living in.
Although they were far from God, He had not forgotten them.
He was aware of their physical and their spiritual state.
He had a program to restore them, if they would just turn back to Him!
In order for Israel to enjoy God's blessing, they would have to obey His Word.
They were at a decisive point in their
history a new generation was beginning, a
new relationship
with God, a new affirmation of God's promises.
God was beginning a program that would culminate in the fulfillment of
the covenants God
made with previous generations.
Zechariah prophesied in order to announce the good news to them.
AUTHOR, DATE AND BACKGROUND
The author of the book is identified as Zechariah, a contemporary prophet of
Haggai. Therefore,
the historical setting is the same as that of Haggai.
They worked together to motivate those who had returned to Israel under the
edict of Cyrus to
build the temple.
Zechariah extends to a later period in the work than Haggai does.
PURPOSE AND THEME
The theme of the book of Zechariah is found in his name.
The meanings of the names of his genealogy recorded in verse one combine to reveal the
message of the book:
Zechariah => "Yahweh remembers"
He is the son of Berechiah => "Yahweh will bless"
He is the grandson of Iddo => "His appointed time"
From these names can be drawn the following theme:
Yahweh remembers His people and will bless them in His appointed time."
The prophecy is given to encourage the people to rebuild the temple.
It contains a detailed description of the judgment of the nations and the
resultant blessings for
Israel.
The book also calls the attention of the people to God's covenant program.
YAHWEH HAS REMEMBERED ISRAEL AND IS INSTITUTING A PROGRAM
WHICH WILL CLIMAX IN THE FULFILLMENT OF THE COVENANTS,
THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM.
1:14, 16, 17; 2:5, 10, 11-12; 3:2, 8; 8:3, 8, 13, 15; 9:14, 15; 10:6, 12; 13:9; 14:21
They are at a turning point in Israel's history:
They have been judged and are starting a new generation, a new
relationship to God, a new
challenge and a fresh renewal of the promises.
God has turned back to Israel.
For this reason, they should repent and submit to his authority, in order to
experience the
blessings He has promised them.
The book is important to the formation of eschatology.
It is parallel to Daniel.
Daniel traces the story from the beginning of the captivity.
Zechariah traces it from the end of the captivity.
Zechariah emphasizes God's program for Israel,
Daniel emphasizes God's program for gentiles in the same period.
The two overlap considerably, but the emphasis of their presentation is
different.
ORGANIZATION
Zechariah's structure is divided in three sections.
The book begins with EIGHT VISIONS which reveal God's program for
Israel from the rebuilding
of
the temple to the establishment of the millennium. 1-6
FOUR MESSAGES follow which answer questions raised concerning the
continuation of the
fasts. 7-8
Finally, TWO BURDENSOME PROPHECIES which reveal God's program
for Gentiles are
proclaimed. 9-14
ARGUMENT
EIGHT VISIONS REVEALING GOD'S PROGRAM FOR ISRAEL
1-6
Zechariah begins with the description of eight night visions the prophet
saw.
The visions, combined with the introduction and appended coronation of
Joshua, reveal the
prophetic outline of God's dealings with Israel from the prophet's day to the institution of
the kingdom.
They are intended to reveal God's program and to assure them of His
faithfulness and of the
fulfillment of previously revealed prophecy.
INTRODUCTION OF THE VISIONS
1:1-6
Historical preface
1:1
Appeal for repentance
1:2-6
The visions are preceded by an introductory call to repentance.
Until the people recognize their condition under God's wrath, they will
not experience the
blessings God has promised them.
They are reminded of God's judgment on their ancestors and of the
abiding presence of His
laws.
They are exhorted to turn to Him.
EIGHT NIGHT VISIONS
1:7-6:8
1.
Man among the myrtle trees
1:7-17
Recognizes the present sunken and dispersed condition of Israel and
promises
deliverance.
Points forward to the immediate restoration of Israel at that time, but
also, beyond that,
to the final restoration.
Description of the vision
1:7-8
Explanation of the vision 1:9-13
Question from Zechariah 1:9a
Response of the angel 1:9b
Commission of the patrol 1:10
Report of the patrol 1:11
Appeal for mercy 1:12
Reply of comfort 1:13
Proclamation to the people 1:14-17
Yahweh's attitude toward His people 1:14
Yahweh's attitude toward the nations 1:15
Yahweh's promise to restore Israel 1:16-17
2.
Four horns and four craftsmen
1:18-21
Pictures four Gentile rulers that God would use to subdue Israel.
These four rulers are succeeded by four deliverers whom God would
use to rescue
Israel.
Four horns
1:18-19
Four craftsmen 1:20-21
3.
Man with the measuring line
2:1-13
Views the ultimate restoration and expansion of Jerusalem.
The cities will overflow from the increased population.
The presence of Messiah is predicted which carries the ultimate
fulfillment into the
millennium.
The near view applies to the growth of the city in Zechariah's
time.
The vision
2:1-5
Description of the vision 2:1-4a
Message of the vision 2:4b-5
The appeal 2:6-13
To those in Babylon 2:6
To those in Jerusalem 2:7-12
To all flesh 2:13
4.
Cleansing of Joshua
3:1-10
Foresees, in the cleansing of the high priest, the cleansing of the
nation.
It pictures the restoration of Israel as the high priestly nation.
It illustrates her restoration and redemption.
Description of the vision
3:1-7
Joshua's trial 3:1-3
Description of the scene 3:1a
Participation of Satan 3:1b
Participation of the Angel of Yahweh 3:2
Condition of Joshua 3:3
Joshua's transformation 3:4-5
Removal of polluted garments 3:4
Restoration of pure garments 3:5
Joshua's challenge 3:6-7
Promise of Messiah's coming 3:8-10
The promise of His coming 3:8-9a
The results of His coming 3:9b-10
Removal of guilt 3:9b
Peace and security 3:10
5.
Golden lampstand and two olive trees
4:1-14
Designed to show how the people are enabled to do the things which
they are going to
do.
Their function as lights will be performed by the power of the Spirit
under the direction
of Messiah.
The near view promises divine enablement through Joshua and
Zerubbabel.
It anticipates the coming of Messiah who will unite the two offices
in one.
Description of the vision
4:1-3
Introduction 4:1
Lampstand 4:2
Olive trees 4:3
Message of the vision 4:4-10
Message of the olive trees 4:11-14
6.
Flying scroll
5:1-4
Reveals the judgment of sin.
The measurements of the scroll are equal to those of Solomon's porch
and to those of
the temple.
The vision applies to the cleansing of Israel at the time they become
priests.
It occurs at the beginning of the millennium.
Description of the vision
5:1-2
Message of the vision 5:3-4
7.
Woman in the ephah
5:5-11
Refers to the removal of the false religious system.
An idolatrous system was symbolized by a woman.
The woman is carried to Babylon by two other women with wings
like a stork, an
unclean animal.
There she is established and set on a base.
The vision is concerned with her removal from God's land and
people, not the place to
which she is carried.
Nevertheless, it is significant that she is taken to the place where
false religion was first
originated and where false religious systems were notably present.
8.
Four chariots
6:1-8
Pictures judgment.
The chariots and horses are instruments of judgment God uses to
bring Israel and
Jerusalem to the place of confession.
Description of the vision
6:1-3
Message of the vision 6:4-8
Summary of the message 6:4-5
Elaboration of the message 6:6-7
Results of the mission 6:8
CORONATION OF JOSHUA
6:9-15
The first section of the book which lays out God's program for Israel from
the time of
Zechariah to the beginning of the millennium, concludes with the symbolic coronation of
Joshua.
Certain individuals come from Babylon to Jerusalem to bring an offering.
It was evidently a contribution from those still in Babylon for the temple.
They use the offerings to make crowns for the head of the priest.
Zerubbabel was not crowned, lest the institution of the Davidic kingdom
occur.
Joshua receives a double crown which points ahead to the crowning of
Messiah who will
serve both offices.
The crowning of Messiah is the climax of the program which Zechariah
has revealed.
FOUR MESSAGES CONCERNING ISRAEL'S FASTS
7-8
Two years pass between the visions and the four messages.
The work on the temple is half done.
The decree of Darius has been pronounced and the hardships are over.
Practical problems arise.
The people want to know if they should observe the fasts commemorating
the destruction of
the city.
The purpose of those fasts seems to be gone.
Though they only inquire about one fast, the whole system is in view.
The four messages were given to answer their question.
FIRST MESSAGE
7:1-7
The first message rebukes them for misusing the fasts.
Request concerning continuation
7:1-3
Rebuke because of misuse
7:4-7
The fast was designed to represent repentance for their sin, but they
were using it to
memorialize their own suffering.
SECOND MESSAGE
7:8-14
The second message focuses their attention on the cause of their
suffering.
Requirements of God
7:8-10
They ought to repent of the cause of their suffering.
God has established certain responsibilities for His people.
God wants them to turn back to Him-NOT lament their own condition!
Response of the nation
7:11-12a
The people had deliberately rejected God's desire.
Results for the nation
7:12b-14
Therefore, God judged them in great wrath.
THIRD MESSAGE
8:1-17
The third message promises restoration for Israel.
Promise of restoration
8:1-15
He encourages them in their work with the promise of completion of
the temple.
He promises them blessing for obedience.
Conditions for restoration
8:16-17
Again He reminds them of God's requirements.
Positive conditions 8:16
Negative conditions 8:17
FOURTH MESSAGE
8:18-23
The fourth message gives an answer for their question.
What now depicts disaster will eventually bring joy, when He sends
His blessing on Israel.
Past suffering will be forgotten in the light of their rejoicing.
Messiah will be present with them and their city will be the source of
blessing.
Promise of future celebration
8:18-19
Results of future celebration
8:20-23
The answer to their question is now complete. So what's the answer?
Your fasts have been for the wrong motive.
God is going to bless you so that you will forget the suffering.
God doesn't care what you do with your fasts.
They're going to become irrelevant!
Their decision should be made in the light of what God is going to do
for them.
God will correct the situation they were remembering.
TWO BURDENS REVEALING GOD'S PROGRAM FOR GENTILES
9-14
The book concludes with two burdensome messages (9:1; 12:1) which
outline God's program
for Gentiles.
The prophecies relate to the future of Israel also, but they emphasize the
role of the Gentiles.
FIRST BURDEN
9-11
The first burdensome prophecy describes the judgment of God on
Gentiles which delivers
Israel from Gentile dominion.
Judgment on surrounding nations
9:1-8
The judgment on the surrounding nations, and the resultant
preservation of Israel, is
described.
This prophecy has a dual-fulfillment:
in the conquests of Alexander which bypassed Israel, while hitting the surrounding
nations;
and ultimately, in the tribulation.
Judgment on Gentiles
9:1-7
Concerning cities of Syria 9:1-2a
Concerning cities of Phoenicia 9:2b-4
Concerning cities of Philistia 9:5-7
Appearance of Israel's Messiah
9:9
He predicts the coming of Messiah and the peace He will bring (9-10).
Blessing for Israel
9:10-10:12
Blessings Israel will receive at the appearance of her Messiah are
described.
Specific blessings promised
9:10-10:8
Peace 9:10
Restoration to land 9:11-12
Victory over Gentile dominion 9:13-17
Removal of religious deception 10:1-4
Divine presence in battle 10:5
Restoration as God's people 10:6-7
Regathering 10:8a
Population explosion 10:8b
Summary of God's participation 10:9-12
Rejection of true shepherd
11:1-17
However, even at this early point it is predicted that when Messiah
appears, the process
of restoration will be interrupted.
Israel rejects Him and claims a false shepherd.
The result is affliction and desolation.
Effect: Destruction of the land
11:1-3
Cause: Rejection of Messiah 11:4-14
Prophet's commission 11:4
People's punishment 11:5-6
Messiah's ministry 11:7
Messiah's response to their rejection 11:8-11
Rejection 11:8
Judgment 11:9-11
Messiah's response to their evaluation 11:12-14
Their low opinion 11:12
His response 11:13
Their judgment 11:14
Contrast: Acceptance of the false shepherd 11:15-17
Commissioning of Zechariah 11:15
Description of false shepherd 11:16
Judgment of false shepherd 11:17
SECOND BURDEN
12-14
The second burdensome message describes the movement of Gentiles
against Israel, which
will force them to confession and repentance.
Israel's deliverance
12:1-13:6
God is going to bring the nations together against Jerusalem.
The nations who oppose Jerusalem will be ground to pieces.
God will deliver Israel from them.
This is a picture of the battle of Armageddon.
Physically
12:1-9
Authority for message 12:1
Attack from nations 12:2-3
Confusion of enemies 12:4
Faith of Judah 12:5
Response of Yahweh 12:6-9
Judah enabled 12:6a
Jerusalem preserved 12:6b
Yahweh glorified 12:7
Judah triumphant 12:8
Nations defeated 12:9
Spiritually
12:10-13:6
National confession of Israel
12:10-14
At that time, Israel will experience national confession and
repentance.
Outpouring of the Spirit
12:10a
Mourning over the crucified 12:10b-14
National cleansing of Israel
13:1-6
The land will be cleansed and the false prophets made
ashamed.
Fountain opened for cleansing
13:1
Removal of idols 13:2a
Removal of false prophets 13:2b-6
A parenthetical flashback is given to explain God's method of bringing
them to repentance
which prepares the way for the second advent. 13:7-9
Second advent and consummation of God's program
13:7-14:21
The latter half of this burdensome message describes the return of
Christ and the
consummation of God's program.
Events leading to second advent
13:7-9
Realization of second advent
14:1-5
Israel's condition described
14:1-2
Describes the effects of the occupation of Jerusalem by the beast.
Christ's coming described
14:3-5
Christ returns to earth and accomplishes various changes.
Results of second advent
14:6-21
Physical blessings
14:6-8
Theocratic blessings
14:9-11
The new millennial government is established.
Political blessings
14:12-15
Israel's enemies are removed and all nations pay their debts to
Israel.
Spiritual blessings
14:16-21
Nations go there to worship
16-19
In that day the separation of sacred and secular will be removed.
Everything will be holy before the Lord.
20-21
Zechariah has brought his people from the time of the rebuilding of the temple
to the time of the
institution of Christ's kingdom.
He encourages the people in their work on the temple by reminding them of
God's faithfulness to
them in spite of their failures.
He reminds them that God remembers Israel.
WHAT PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES TODAY DO WE LEARN FROM
ZECHARIAH?
In order for Israel to enjoy this blessing, they would have to obey His Word.
We, too, have to learn this lesson.
To enjoy God's blessing, we have to hear His voice.
If we refuse to pay attention to God, we will live in a spiritual drought,
similar to the one that
affected Israel.
This should encourage us to recognize God's authority over our lives and
motivate us to live
by His Word.