In Today's Email:
Welcome to the Book of Zechariah!
Zechariah was a prophet to the Jews that were returning from the Babylonian Captivity. Like Haggai, he encourages the people to build the Temple and be faithful to God. He looks forward to a future restoration when the Messiah will rule from Jerusalem.
A few quick facts about Zechariah.
The author is Zechariah (“the Lord remembers”)
This book was written between 520 and 517 B.C.
The key verse is 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
A brief outline:
Introduction and call to repentance – 1:1-6
Night visions – 1:7-6:8
The crowning of Joshua the High Priest – 6:9-15
Questions regarding fasting – Chapters 7-8
Future restoration of Israel – Chapters 9-14
Zechariah 1 Notes
In this chapter contains the first two night visions.
vs. 1-6 – The date given is only a few days after Haggai’s prophecy in Haggai 2:1. It is a similar theme to that previous message in calling the Jews to turn their hearts towards God.
vs. 7-17 – The following visions come about 3 months after the previous message and would be roughly in our February. This vision involves a Rider on a red horse, identified as the Angel of the Lord. This would make Him the Preincarnate Christ. He leads other riders who have scouted out the earth. They report that the Gentile nations are at rest, but He mourns the state of Jerusalem. It is a fitting description of the time. God would use this time to rebuild Israel and Jerusalem. He had not forsaken them.
vs. 18-21 – This second vision takes a broader view of history. There are four horns, which are the four kingdoms found in Daniel Chapters 2 and 7. Each of these were destroyed by a “carpenter” who then build something new, representing the conquerors and kingdoms that came after these powers fell.
Zechariah 2 Notes
In this chapter contains the third night vision.
vs. 1-2 – The third vision is of a man with a measuring line. This is an anticipation of the restoration and expansion of Jerusalem in the End Times.
vs. 3-9 – Another angel speaks to the prophet and declares that God will visit the enemies of Israel and defeat them. This is Armageddon and precedes the glorious beautification of Jerusalem under Christ the King.
vs. 10-12 – A song of joy and praise for what God will do for Israel.
Zechariah 3 Notes
In this chapter is the fourth night vision.
vs. 1-5 – Joshua the High Priest is a stand-in for the nation of Israel, who God had intended to be “a kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6). Satan stands as the accuser against them, pointing out their sinful state. But God intercedes and Israel is seen cleansed and restored. The prophet is so moved by this scene that he cries out in vs. 5.
vs. 6-10 – The Angel of the Lord charges Israel, through Joshua, to be faithful to God. Their full restoration would come with the Messiah.
Zechariah 4 Notes
In this chapter is the fifth night vision.
vs. 1-10 – The fifth vision is of a golden candlestick like the one in the Tabernacle or Temple. Its lamps were fed oil directly from two olive trees. This is directed at Zerubbabel and his efforts to rebuild the Temple. It was not his human strength that would accomplish it, but the mighty power of God through the Spirit. The candlestick itself seems to represent Israel.
vs. 11-14 – The prophet inquires who the two olive trees in the vision represent. The meaning is not very clear, but if we assume this vision speaks of Israel in the End Times the two trees may represent the two witnesses of Revelation 11.
Zechariah 5 Notes
In this chapter are the sixth and seventh visions.
vs. 1-4 – The sixth night vision is a flying scroll that measures 20 x 10 cubits (30 x 15 feet). It is the Word of God. It is God’s Law that reveals the sins of men. We may compare the imagery here to Ezekiel 2 and Revelation 5 and 10.
vs. 5-11 – The seventh vision is of a measure (an ephah, which is roughly 1 bushel) like a barrel. Why just the measure and not substance? It speaks of commerce. In these ancient days trade was accomplished through weighing or measuring goods. This barrel has lid made of lead that weighs 1 talent (~75 pounds). Inside the barrel is a woman who represents sin. Two other women with wings remove this barrel and place it in Shinar (Babylon). These corresponds to Babylon in Revelation 17.
Closing Thoughts
Zechariah may rival Ezekiel for the strangeness of his visions. However, I find such a wonderful truth in the vision of Zechariah 4. The power of the Holy Spirit is compared to the olive oil feeding the golden candlestick. Zerubbabel is then told, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Christ said it this way in John 15:5: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” The fact is whatever good we do is because of God’s power and not our own strength.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “Holy Spirit, Light Divine”, written by Andrew Reed in 1817.
Holy Ghost, with light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shade of night away,
Turn my darkness into day.
Let me see my Savior’s face,
Let me all His beauties trace;
Show those glorious truths to me
Which are only known to Thee.
Holy Ghost, with power divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
Long has sin, without control,
Held dominion o’er my soul.
Holy Ghost, with joy divine,
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Bid my many woes depart,
Heal my wounded, bleeding heart.
Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down every idol throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.
See, to Thee I yield my heart,
Shed Thy life through every part;
A pure temple I would be,
Wholly dedicate to Thee.