Coming to the book of Zechariah we are confronted with what is probably the least understandable text that we have considered so far. This is not because the language itself is hard but because this book has a number of prophesies, meaning that large parts of the book are given over to imagery. These prophecies look to Christ and beyond into the future, not only that but we also have recorded an account of the Lord speaking to Satan.
One of the key things to note as you go through this book is the number of references to the ‘Angel of the Lord’, a pre-incarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The beginning of this book starts as many of the previous prophets have done, where the prophet begins by reiterating the Lord's displeasure and once again commands the nation to return to him, instructing that they do not act as their fathers who went away from Him. From this point on though the book starts its many prophesies; Zechariah gives a precise date on which he had the first eight visions during the night, so we take it that all these visions were received together.
The first vision tells of a man riding a red horse, messengers tell him that the earth sitteth still and is at rest, Zechariah then records that comforting words which were said, that Jerusalem would once again be powerful, the temple shall be established again and the Lord shall comfort Zion. This vision proves to be the foundation for the following seven visions.
The second vision tells of four horns, which are stated to be Gentile powers who have scattered Judah, Jerusalem and Israel; Zechariah is then shown four craftsmen who will strike down and destroy the nations that scattered Judah.
The third vision takes us to a strange scene; we are shown a man with a measuring line going to measure Jerusalem. As we look at it don’t we remember that Jerusalem had good walls so surely they know how big it was? The message of this third vision is to tell them that the city of Jerusalem will be inhabited far beyond the physical restrictions of it’s walls because of the multitude of people who dwell there and God will provide such safety that it will be like a wall of fire around it. Many nations will see the Lord’s glory dwelling there and his provision and will come to the Lord and the Lord will inherit Judah, His promised portion.
The fourth shows us the high priest, Joshua, with Satan standing before him, standing before the Lord. Joshua appears in filthy garments representing sin, the Lord states that his iniquity has been removed and that he should be clothed in clean clothing. Much more importantly Joshua is told that the servant, here called ‘the Branch’ will remove not only his iniquity but all the iniquity of the land in a coming day.
The fifth shows a candlestick, quite different to the candlestick in the temple as this one appears to have seven pipes leading from the oil reservoir to each of the seven lamps, a total of 49 pipes; two olive trees stand beside the lamp providing oil to it. Through this we are told that the temple will be completed and that there will be two representatives, Joshua and Zerubbabel, standing for the Lord throughout the earth.
The sixth shows a flying scroll, this divides and isolates those who openly sin against the Lord and sees them consumed.
The seventh vision shows two women with wings like storks carrying a basket into which a representation of wickedness is placed; this is then transported to a far country.
The final vision is a vision of four chariots pulled by different coloured horses these go out to establish judgement and order from God.

Following this the prophet once again asks a question of the priests regarding their service, certainly, they were keeping the feasts but were they doing it unto the Lord? The instruction continues that the people should do things as the Lord does, executing true judgement, once again though we have it recorded that they did not do this so the Lord explains that this is the reason they were scattered. However as before, we see that the Lord promises blessing in a future day.

As we enter the final chapters we are firstly pointed to the Lord's first coming and His walk on the earth, then the final chapter takes us to the Lord’s return to the Mount of Olives in power and authority. These are much clearer to us in terms of modern Christianity, we can read the prophesies that tell of the baby to be born, and His lineage. And look to the future day when the Lord shall return in power to claim His nation.

This book is good fodder for serious study and my reading this month has only grazed the surface. I would like to say so much more but space and time does not permit. Also I think that I would need to read more widely to fully expound and describe the passages that are within this book. My aim with these articles is to give a view as to what you’ll find in a book and point to some interesting sections you may miss, or not commonly hear read. For this reason, I have not placed so much emphasis on the final chapters as we will see several verses quoted in the New Testament and you are likely to be familiar with the Christ-centred chapters at the end of this book.
Having written the previous paragraph I would add that I’d encourage you to read this book, particularly the closing chapters. Look at them in the light of the New Testament and Christ’s coming and allow yourself to once again be amazed by God’s purpose and planning, that all these things have been so perfectly fulfilled by Christ; and, as you reach the end of the book notice the future events for the Children of Israel and contrast it with the future for the Church as foretold in Revelation.

Well one month of 2007 remaining and one remaining book to consider in the Old Testament, then we’ll start to really consider the wonder of Christ and the New Testament truths. As you’re likely to be more familiar with the books that we’ll be considering in the New Year please let me have any suggestions that may make the series more useful and profitable to you as the focus may need to be slightly adjusted.

Key Verses

Zechariah 2:4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:

Zechariah 5:4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

Zechariah 6:15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Zechariah 11:12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

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All quotes are from the King James version of the Bible unless otherwise specified.