In today’s video we’re going to, survey and briefly summarize the Book of Zechariah. Then
afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
As for the Author: Zechariah 1:1
identifies the author of the Book of Zechariah as the Prophet Zechariah.
As for the Date of Writing:
The Book of Zechariah was likely written in two primary segments, between 520 and 470 B.C.
Now, for the Purpose of Writing: Zechariah emphasized that God has used His prophets
to teach, warn, and correct His people. Unfortunately, they refused to listen. Their
sin brought God’s punishment. The book also bears evidence that even prophecy could be corrupted.
History shows that in this period prophecy fell into disfavor among the Jews, leading
to the period between the Testaments when no lasting prophetic voice spoke to God’s people.
Here are some Key Verses:
Zechariah 1:3, "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."
Zechariah 7:13, "'When I called,
they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the LORD Almighty."
Zechariah 9:9, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout,
Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Zechariah 13:9, "This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer
them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'"
Here’s a Brief Summary: The Book of Zechariah teaches that salvation may be obtained by all.
The last chapter depicts peoples from all over the world coming to worship God, who desires that
all people follow Him. This is not the doctrine of universalism, that all people would be saved
because it is God’s nature to save. Rather, the book teaches that God desires that all people
worship Him and accepts those who do, regardless of their national or political expressions.
Finally, Zechariah preached that God is sovereign over this world,
any appearance to the contrary notwithstanding. His visions of the future indicate that God
sees all that will happen. The depictions of God’s intervention in the world teach that
ultimately He will bring human events to the end He chooses. He does not eliminate the individual’s
freedom to follow God or rebel, but holds people responsible for the choices they make.
In the last chapter, even the forces of nature respond to God’s control.
As for Foreshadowings: Prophecies about Jesus Christ and the messianic era abound in Zechariah.
From the promise that Messiah would come and dwell in our midst (Zechariah 2:10-12) to the
symbolism of the Branch and the Stone (in chapters 3 and 6) to the promise of
His Second Coming where they who pierced Him will look upon Him and mourn (Chapter 12:10),
Christ is the theme of the Book of Zechariah. Jesus is the Savior of Israel,
a fountain whose blood covers the sins of all who come to Him for salvation (Chapter 13:1).
Now for some Practical Application: God expects sincere worship and moral
living of us today. Zechariah’s example of breaking through national prejudice reminds us
to reach out into all areas of our society. We must extend God’s invitation of salvation
to people of all national origins, languages, races, and cultures. That salvation is only
available through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, who died in our place to atone
for sin. But if we reject that sacrifice, there is no other sacrifice through which we
can be reconciled to God. There is no other name under heaven by which men are saved (Acts
4:12). There is no time to lose; today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
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