Zechariah prophesied in the days after the remnant of Israel returned from exile. The action that is detailed in the book takes place as the people are rebuilding the Temple.
His book is one of the longest of the minor prophets. He has many visions; all are interpreted for us--which is a relief after the book of Daniel! Most of Zechariah’s visions are joyful. Prosperity will return to the nation of Israel at last!
Zechariah’s prophecies seem to speak of groups of four. He sees four horsemen, four horns, four craftsmen, and eventually four chariots.
He also speaks of great and glorious things happening in and around Jerusalem. Zechariah sees it will be a city without walls because of all the prosperity God will heap on them. “The LORD...shall choose Jerusalem again” (2:12). The prophet sees the new high priest Joshua dressed in glory. God gives him a familiar promise: If you obey, I will bless you. There is no “But if you don’t obey...” involved here. Perhaps they have finally learned something.
When the time of year came for fasting and feasting, the people asked, “Should we stop building the temple and celebrate the fast and feast?” God asked them to examine their hearts and see if they had actually truly honored him with the fasts when they had been in exile. It is much more important to love God with all your heart than to celebrate a festival or go without eating a certain kind of food for a week. Do what is right, says God. Love the LORD. Serve each other. That is how you honor God. Sacrifice, yes, that is important. But the sacrifices are meaningless without a life devoted to God.
There are several prophecies that speak to the life of Christ, as well. “Behold, your king is coming to you...Humble, and mounted on a donkey” (9:9).
11:12-13 “...They weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. Then the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them." So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”
12:10 “I will pour out on the house of David...the Spirit of grace...so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced.”
Like many other prophets, Zechariah speaks of a day when all the nations will gather against Jerusalem for war. The Mount of Olives will be split (Ezekiel mentioned this too). Of course, God will be victorious, and people will come to Jerusalem from all over the world to celebrate. Many other prophets have said this as well. For God so loved the world...
Oh how I long for that glorious day!
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