READ IT! - Introduction to Zechariah 1-6

Readings for this week

Monday: Haggai 2
Tuesday: Zechariah 1
Wednesday: Zechariah 2
Thursday: Zechariah 3
Friday: Zechariah 4
Saturday: Zechariah 5
Sunday: Zechariah 6

Introduction to Zechariah 1-6

The first major section of the book of Zechariah deals with the restoration of God’s people to the land. The rest of the book is made up of an extended section that uses apocalyptic imagery to describe the future Messianic Age.

Like Haggai, Zechariah lived during the time of Zerubbabel’s governorship over Judah, the high priesthood of Joshua, and the reign of Darius the Great over Persia. Like Haggai, Zechariah called on the people to rebuild the Temple.

Chapter 1 

The book opens by saying that the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah during the second year of the reign of King Darius the Great.

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.”

“Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’”

After the opening call to repentance, Zechariah sees a series of eight visions. In the first vision, he sees an angel standing among some myrtle trees. He then sees a host of horsemen patrolling the earth, who report that all is quiet. The angel asks God how much longer He’s going to withhold mercy from Jerusalem and Judah, and God promises to restore His people and judge their oppressors.

In the second vision, Zechariah sees four horns and four craftsmen.

Four horns = nations that had scattered God’s people and destroyed their dignity

Four craftsmen = God’s forces against those nations

God would scatter them as they had scattered His people. 

Chapter 2 

In the third vision, Zechariah sees a man measuring Jerusalem. The point is that God is marking off Jerusalem as His own. He will dwell there and provide them with protection. God also warns Judah’s enemies of their future slavery, and he offers to join any repentant nation to Himself. 

Chapter 3 

In the fourth vision, Zechariah sees the High Priest Joshua standing in filthy garments. Satan stands ready to point out the sin of Joshua and his predecessors. But God rebukes Satan, and Joshua is given clean new clothes. Joshua becomes a symbol of God’s servant, the “Branch”, and he marks the beginning of a new work. The “Branch” will bring in a new age, and God says, “I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.” 

Chapter 4 

In the fifth vision, Zechariah sees a gold lampstand and two olive trees.

The Angel explains:

The gold lampstand = the Spirit of the LORD whose seven eyes go throughout all the earth, and whose word approves of the work of Zerubbabel in rebuilding the Temple.

The two olive trees = “the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth” 

Chapter 5 

In the sixth vision, Zechariah sees a flying scroll. It is very large and has writing on both sides. It represents the curse and God’s convicting word.

In the seventh vision, Zechariah sees a woman who is representative of wickedness. An angel shoves her in a large basket and seals the lid with lead, and women with wings carry the basket away to Babylon.

Message = God will remove His people’s sin 

Chapter 6 

In the eighth vision, Zechariah sees four chariots emerging from between two bronze mountains

The chariots = spirits of heaven who patrol the earth at God’s command 

We see that God is sovereign over all the nations. The spirits report that God’s Spirit now has rest in the north. God had dealt with His enemies and could now continue to restore His people.

After these eight visions, Zechariah performs a symbolic act. God told Zechariah to make a crown and place it on the head of Joshua, the high priest. God explained that His servant, “the Branch,” would build the Temple, rule as a priest on his throne, and bring peace between the offices of king and priest. Some scholars suggest the text may have originally hinted at Zerubbabel and Joshua’s unity of purpose – political and spiritual leadership working together in harmony. Ultimately, the text points to Jesus, in whom the offices of king and priest find perfect unity. Jesus built God’s Temple, the Church. Jesus intercedes for believers as our great High Priest. Jesus is also the successor to David’s throne, and will rule forever as King of kings.