Zechariah

Zechariah was a young contemporary of Haggai. Haggai's approach was more concrete and concise in addressing the present concerns through reprimand and exhortation, whereas Zechariah's was more abstract in portraying future promises as he reminded and encouraged the people.

Though young in age, Zechariah was fearless and firmed in proclaiming God's message, and ultimately paid the high price with his life, as mentioned by Jesus in His indictment against the Jews of His time:

Matthew 23:35
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slain between the temple and the altar.

Zechariah is the major Minor Prophet, being the longest among the twelve, and is second only to Isaiah in terms of messianic passages. The book is rich and varied in content, with a total of eight visions, four messages, and two burdens. The focus shifts from Gentile dominion to Messiah's rule, from persecution to peace, and from impurity to holiness.

The prophet appealed to the people to repent and return to God, and not to repeat the failure of their forefathers who rejected God's Word and warnings. About three months later, he received eight visions in one night, five of which are visions of comfort, and three of judgment.

Zechariah's visions covered the work of the Messiah in both advents, and his oracles outlined God's program for His people from the times of the Gentiles until the reign of Messiah on earth. Let's look forward to reading this great prophetic book.

OUTLINE OF ZECHARIAH

1. Eight Visions (1:1-6:15)

a. The Call to Repentance (1:1-6)

b. The Collection of Visions (1:7-6:8)

1:  Horses among the Myrtle Trees

2:  Four Horns and Four Craftsmen

3:  Man with the Measuring Line

4:  Cleansing of Joshua the High Priest

5:  Golden Lampstand and Two Olive Trees

6:  Flying Scroll

7:  Woman in the Basket

8:  Four Chariots

c. The Crowning of Joshua (6:9-15)

2. Four Messages (7:1-8:23)

a. The People's Inquiry on Fasting (7:1-3)

b. The Lord's Response (7:4-8:23)

Rebuke : Spiritual Hypocrisy

Repent : Disobedience

Restore : The People and the Land

Rejoice : Revival of True Worship

3. Two Burdens (9:1-14:21)

a. Rejection of Messiah (9:1-11:17)

Judgment on Surrounding Nations

First Advent | Second Advent | Rejection

b. Reign of Messiah (12:1-14:21)

Salvation—Physical | Spiritual

Final Siege of Jerusalem

Second Coming of Messiah

Messiah's Kingdom