As we continue our journey through the Trei Asar, we’ve come to one of the most fascinating and challenging books in the entire prophetic collection: Zechariah.
And to highlight the complexity of this book, I’d like to begin with Rashi’s (a medieval Jewish commentator) opening comments on Zechariah:
“The prophecy of Zechariah is extremely enigmatic, because it contains visions resembling a dream that requires an interpretation. We cannot ascertain the truth of its interpretation until the teacher of righteousness comes.”
So if Rashi felt like he had his hands full with this book, I guess I’m in good company feeling the same way! Now, you’re welcome to call me a criminal for this, but we’re only spending one blog on Zechariah. I know, I know…that’s robbery! But there’s so much to cover that two blogs wouldn’t do it justice either. So we’re going to do an overview and look at a few key texts.
First, what do we know about Zechariah?
Well, it’s nice that we have a decent amount of information about him. His name means “HaShem remembers,” and we learn from Nehemiah 12:16 that Zechariah was a priest.
It’s also important to note that Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai, as well as Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest, who were the leaders of the first wave of exiles returning from Babylon. Actually, Zechariah 1:1 tells us that he began his prophecy in the same year that Haggai prophesied, which both prophets identify as the second year of King Darius.
Now, as you read Zechariah, you’ll encounter a lot of symbols. There are eight visions, symbolic animals, symbolic numbers, and some complicated blending of history and imagery. And again, all of this is difficult to interpret!
Now, Zechariah has two main parts: Chapters 1-8 largely deal with issues pertaining to Zechariah’s day, while chapters 9-14 largely look ahead to Messianic times. And throughout the book, Zechariah is seeking to inspire his generation to live in such a way that they will usher in the Messianic era.
But let’s see where the prophet begins.
Right at the beginning, Zechariah sums up the basic message of the prophets who came before him. And his words in chapter 1 serve as a warning to this new generation not to go the way of their fathers. In Zechariah 1:3, HaShem says:
“Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.”
And then in verse 4:
“Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out…Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.”
So what’s the prophet saying here?
Well, God gave the Torah, the people got off track, and God sent prophets to get them back on track, to do teshuvah. But the people rejected that message, and they went into exile. And in exile, they finally understood what God meant!
But now that the Jewish people are back in the Land, Zechariah wants to set the tone and remind them what got their fathers in trouble in the first place. In other words, Zechariah has a simple message: don’t repeat history!
In other words, learn from the mistakes of the pre-exilic and exilic generations so you won’t make the same mistakes and pay the same price.
So as I said, Zechariah is very focused on his generation. But he’s also looking ahead to the End of Days to inspire the people with a vision of what can be had if they walk in faithfulness. And walking in faithfulness involves getting behind godly leaders. Thus, in chapters 3 and 4, Zechariah encourages the people to get behind Joshua and Zerubbabel. Regarding Zerubbabel, Zechariah 4:9-10 says:
“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it…For who has shown contempt for the day of small things?”
So the prophet is saying that Zerubbabel is God’s man to finish the Temple. And the people should not show contempt for the modest size of what they’re building (sounds like Haggai, right?)
Well, let’s move ahead to the powerful chapter 8 of Zechariah. This chapter is very Messianic and very important. Again, the prophet is seeking to inspire his generation to live in a way that will usher in this age. In Zechariah 8:3-5, HaShem says:
“I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city.”
And then:
“Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem…And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.”
What an incredible picture! So what are some of the features of the Messianic age that Zechariah describes here?
Jerusalem will be faithful to HaShem.
God will dwell in the midst of the city.
The elderly and children, those who are most vulnerable, will live in safety.
And according to verses 7-8, the Jewish people will be regathered and walk in faithfulness to God.
To borrow Rabbi Jason’s signature line, “but wait, there’s more.” And there’s definitely more in chapter 8.
In verses 22-23, Zechariah says:
“Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem…In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
Now, that’s a fascinating verse! The nations will come to Jerusalem to seek God. And the Jewish people will be recognized as a people through whom God is making Himself known.
This reminds me of what Deuteronomy 28 says will be true of the Jewish people when they’re walking in covenant faithfulness. There, HaShem promises that if Israel faithfully obeys His commandments, He will set them high above the nations and make them “the head and not the tail.” Now, I realize that some people bristle at statements like these.
Some could understand them as establishing a hierarchy, as though God loves Jews more than Gentiles. But I don’t see that as the meaning here.
God has a unique role for Israel, but not in a hierarchical sense.
And the key in Deuteronomy for Israel functioning as the head and not the tail is keeping Torah.
So when anyone, and I mean anyone, comes along and says that Torah is done away with for the Jewish people, or that it’s optional rather than obligatory, or simply a matter of what’s “between you and the Holy Spirit,” they are 1000% undermining the progression of God’s Kingdom. Jews must, must, must keep the Torah! Because if they do, with the right heart and spirit, it leads to covenant blessings for the WORLD.
Well, in chapter 9, we have the wonderful prophecy about the Messianic King riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, which Yeshua fulfilled.
And then in chapter 12, there’s an important Messianic text about a figure being pierced, leading to great mourning. I believe this will ultimately be fulfilled when Am Yisrael discovers the real Yeshua.
But I’d like to close with excerpts from one of the most magnificent chapters in the Bible: Zechariah 14.
The chapter begins with HaShem standing on the Mount of Olives. And remember, Acts 1 connects the Mount of Olives with Yeshua’s ascension and promised return.
Both texts anticipate Israel’s enemies as defeated, and the beginning of a golden age.
In Zechariah 14:8-9, we read:
“On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem…And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.”
From there, Zechariah describes the nations coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot.
But I’m fascinated by what he says after that, and how he lands the plane.
In the final verses of his prophecy, Zechariah describes the bells of horses bearing the words “Holy to the Lord.” And even the ordinary pots in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to HaShem.
Now, that’s how Zechariah ends!
Why does he end with these seemingly odd references?
Well, clearly, Zechariah is talking about the Temple. And in his vision for the future, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem is front, center, holy, and pure.
For Zechariah, it’s not a question of if there will be a Temple in the future. It’s simply a vision of what that Temple will look like.
And Zechariah sees no competition between the Messianic King and a Messianic Temple.
So his vision of a city centered on the Temple is the last thought he leaves us with.
May the days that Zechariah looked forward to come soon and speedily!
