THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH

Imagine yourself in an auditorium sitting next to other spectators watching a drama in two parts with an intermission between both scenes. The vision Zechariah describes in his Book might help us better understand this prophetic picture if we view it this way. After a brief introduction, the producer introduces the script and then sets the stage for this stirring drama.

INTRODUCTION: A Call To Repentance (Zechariah 1:1-6)

1. The Production-Director: The LORD ALMIGHTY (v.1a)

2. The Main Actor: Zechariah, son of Berekiah, son of Iddo (v.1b)

3. The Plot: The Revelation of God’s Prophetic Plan (v.2-6)

4. The Setting: Israel: God’s Centerpiece

The Book of Zechariah has been called the Apocalypse of the Old Testament. Like the book of Revelation, Zechariah is a book of prophecy. Its theme sets forth the program of God, which is also the theme of Revelation. John MacArthur states: “This book is the most messianic, apocalyptic, and eschatological in the O.T. Primarily, it is a prophecy about Jesus Christ, focusing on His coming glory as a means to comfort Israel....Prophecy was soon to be silent for more than 400 years until John the Baptist, so God used Zechariah to bring a rich, abundant outburst of promise for the future to sustain the faithful remnant through those silent years” (MacArthur Study Bible,p.1338).

It was almost 18 years since Cyrus conquered Babylon and granted the Jews permission to return to their homeland. The first group of immigrants, consisting of some 50 thousand, returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8,11) whom Cyrus appointed governor (Ezra 5:14). He was credited with laying the foundation of the Temple. Within seven months they had rebuilt the Brazen Altar and were once more performing the sacrifices commanded by the Law of Moses (Ezra 3:1-6). However, they were oppossed by some of the Samaritans and soon the rebuilding efforts came to a screeching halt (Ezra 4:1-23). Discouragement, dissallusion, and apathy set in! The broken down walls and unfinished Temple certainly didn't match the vision of a messianic kingdom they had hoped for.

Thomas McComiskey states: “If the returned exiles expected the dawn of Yahweh's universal reign, with Jews and Gentiles flocking to Jerusalem, their hopes soon faded. Jews did not leave the population centers of the empire in vast numbers, and interference from the longtime inhabitants of the land frustrated the building efforts (Ezra 4:1-24) bringing the work on the Temple to a halt (Ezra 4:24)” (The Minor Prophets, p.2004)

So God raised two phrophets from among them to offer hope amidst discouraging times: Zechariah and Haggai. Zechariah began his prophetic office two months after Haggai (Hag.1:1; Zech.1:1). While Haggai’s message was chiefly to rouse the Jews to the outward task of building the Temple, Zechariah’s prophetic message sought to challenge them to a complete spiritual change from within. Zechariah was a priest and a prophet. He was the “son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.” This Iddo apparantly was one of the priests who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel and Joshua (Neh. 12:4).

In Zechariah 1:1, we have three very significant names. Zechariah means “whom Jehovah remembers;” his father Berechiah’s name means “Jehovah blesses;” and his grandfather Iddo means “at the appointed time.” That is the theme of this Book. It is a book of encouragement to the people of Israel: “whom Jehovah remembers & blesses at the appointed time.”

There are over 25 Zechariah’s mentioned in the Old Testament. The prophet Zechariah is thought by some scholars to be the one Jesus refers to in Matthew 23:35 as having been “murdered between the temple and the altar.” After Zechariah’s prophecy, we are plunged into 400 silent years until another Zechariah appears whom Luke describes as the father of John the Baptist whom “Jehovah remembers.”

After King Cyrus died, his son Cambyses became king. But his brief reign (529-522.) was threatened by Gautama who claimed to be the real king and usurped the throne. For some unknown reason Cambyses then committed suicide. Later, an officer in the Persian army by the name of Darius I claimed to be from the Royal Hystaspes family so he killed Gautama and took over his throne. Darius the Great then ruled the Persian Empire from 521BC to 486BC. There was a period of turmoil at first with widespread revolts, which the events of Darius’ accession may have fueled. It is not certain how long it took him to secure the Empire but the oracle of Zechariah 1:7-17 suggests a date sometime toward the end of his second year which reflects a time of peace throughout the Empire except for Israel (1:7).They were continually being opposed and harassed. Struggling to keep food on the table and faced with the formidable task of building the Temple, these discouraged Jews let the work fall into neglect and as McComiskey puts it: “Without a temple the Community lacked spiritual cohesion. The house of the Lord was the seat of Yahweh’s presence, but instead of witnessing to the presence of their God, the rubble-strewn temple site was a mute testimony of their neglect..... Clearly, if the community was to survive, it needed leaders who could not only rally the people to the task, but who could overcome their spiritual lethargy by authoritatively assuring them of divine assistance.” (The Minor Prophets, p.1006-1007)

Several events took place which turned things around. King Darius ordered the Temple rebuilt: “Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.....Let it be done with all diligence” (Ezra 6:7,12) His decree also provided the funds to be taken from the royal revenues. Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the High Priest were further encouraged by the prophetic messages of Haggai and Zechariah to finish building the Temple. So the work moved forward enthusiastically and by 516 BC the Temple was completed. Ezra 6:16-22 records the account of the celebration that followed its completion.

Two major lines of thought run throughout Zechariah: the sovereignty of God and human responsibility. As the theme of human responsibility develops, Israel is reminded of past generations who failed in their obligation of obedience to the Lord (1:2-6). Later, this warning again surfaces: “This will happen if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God” (6:15). McComiskey adds: “The prophet declares, however, that God will overcome the disobedience of his people through a pierced figure (12:10), whose wounding will effect sincere repentance on the part of the people and lead to their cleansing of sin (13:1-6)” Then he concludes “As we move through the first part of the book, we begin to feel strange stirrings that there is more going on than the building of a structure.”

(The Minor Prophets, p.1018)

The first six verses serve as an introduction to this prophetic vision. Israel's past is brought up as a warning that disobedience brings judgment. That is why they were taken to Babylon for those 70 years of captivity. Later they acknowledged their sin and God's justice in punishment. They are now back in their homeland but repairing the past takes time. The Temple was not yet rebuilt except for the brazen altar and the walls of Jerusalem still lay in ruin. Rubble was strewn all over and each family seemed isolated from each other. So God raised Haggai and Zechariah to get them to finish the work they had begun some 18 years before.

                               A Call To Return To Yahweh
                                                  ZECHARIAH 1:1-6

                                 In vision clear the prophet saw
                                 Invisible to man God's cosmic plan
                                 Revealed in mystery's simple shapes
                                Ten awesome signs of global weight.

                                The drama on life's stage appeared
                                The sovereign Lord produced the plan
                                Four separate scenes before him passed
                                And then the Lord returned at last.

                                A call is heard before the start
                               "Return to Me with contrite heart
                                For Babylon's strength has been removed
                               And grace toward Judah is approved."

                               Then from the rubble-broken walls
                               Where once Shekinah's Glory dwelt
                               The angel's voice comes loud and clear
                               "He has remembered! He is here!"

                                The awful bondage from the past
                                Is now fulfilled as Yahweh said
                                So why is Israel in distress?
                                While Persia's rule gives nations rest?

                               The vision Zechariah saw
                               Outlines the course of Judah's call
                               To follow closely His command
                               Until with Christ they take their stand.

                               So gather round the prophet's stage
                               And watch this awesome sight unfold
                               For blessings fall on all who care
                              And from their hearts this message share.
                              --B. Pent

                                 THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. The three names: Zechariah; his father Berekiah; and grandfather Iddo together in Hebrew mean "Jehovah remembers and blesses in His time." What significance might these names have as they relate to the Book of Zechariah?

2. According to verse 4-6, what are some of the contributing factors which led to the Babylonian captivity?

3. Even after Cyrus urged the Jews to return to their homeland, why did so few leave and so many stay? Might it have something to do with
the comforts of Babylon or the broken down walls of Jerusalem? What do you think?

4. Verses 2 and 6b suggest that they were truly repentant of their past. What are some of the indication that they were returning to Yahweh