Zechariah 1-11

Bible study with Pastor Terry Gray


Zechariah
Zechariah was called to encourage and motivate the Israel remnant who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, an arduous task that was carried out in hostile environment. The Israelites did eventually finish building the Temple within the next few years, but the work was tough and frustrating. During the rebuilding, Zechariah was brought up to encourage and motivate those Israelites. Four months into the rebuilding, Zechariah was given 8 visions in one night. These visions are all meant to encourage and motivate.


Prophet Zechariah
- Lived and wrote in the 500s BC
- Sent to the Israel remnant that had just returned to Jerusalem from exile; this remnant had been commissioned to rebuild the Temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC
- Brought a Jewish message to a Jewish audience


Book of Zechariah
- Probably the most popular of the 12 minor prophets
- The New Testament quotes from it about 40 times
- Most Christ-centered book of the minor prophets; there are many messianic prophecies
- Known also as an apocalyptic piece of literature; like Daniel, like portions of Ezekiel, like Revelation
- Known also as the Book of Revelation of the Old Testament; contains lots of symbolism and scenarios about the end of days


Brief History
In 536 BC, a small group (~50,000) of Israelites was allowed to return back to Jerusalem after an exile of some 70 years. They were led by Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest). When they got back to Jerusalem, their first job was to rebuild the temple. And they did that for the first year. However, they stopped after that due to opposition of the locals and internal bickering among themselves. Some had started building houses for themselves.


For the next 16 years, the Temple laid unfinished. Haggai and Zechariah were prophets raised by God to tell the Israelites to get back to work.


Zechariah 1:1-6
Zechariah's goal was to encourage and motivate those Israelites to get back to rebuilding the Temple. He started by reminding them of their past failures.


1ST VISION: Zechariah 1:7-17
THE angel of God (Zechariah 1:9) is Jesus. Jesus was seen riding the red horse.


The myrtle tree is an evergreen. It is known for longevity and strength. It is a survivor of any kind of weather. It does not grow more than 8 feet tall. The myrtle tree is a type of Israel. It represent a small nation but survives through anything. It has longevity as a nation.


The horses represent angels. Jesus is leading a band of angels. They have been surveying the earth and found it at peace. However, this peace is not a good thing: The rest of the world is at ease while the City of God and God's people are in captivity. God is angered that while His people are suffering, the Gentiles are at ease. Therefore, a promise is given to the Israelites: God is coming to Jerusalem to rebuild and restore that city.


This was partially fulfilled during the rebuilding, but the Temple was eventually destroyed. Today, there is no Temple. Only a temple mount exists. However, there will one day stand a Temple again, and this will be fully fulfilled by the second coming of Jesus when He returns to reign.


2ND VISION: Zechariah 1:8-21
The horns are symbolic of political power and national entities.


Four nations have come and dispersed Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem.


Daniel 2
We can deduce from Daniel that these 4 nations are Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and the Roman Empire.


Four craftsmen will be sent by God to destroy the four horns. Babylon was a horn destroyed by Media-Persia, a craftsman. Media-Persia then became the second horn and was destroyed by Greece, the second craftsman. Greece then became the third horn and was overtaken by the Roman Empire, the third craftsman. And the Roman Empire became the last horn but was never defeated to this day. The Scriptures say there will be a revival of this empire in the last days and will come against the Israelites in great fiery.


That revived Roman Empire will be crushed by a rock (Jesus), the last and greatest craftsman/carpenter (God intended the pun, I'm sure) ever lived.


3RD VISION: Zechariah 2
Jerusalem will become so prosperous, it would not be measurable. We see partial fulfillment of that today. Jerusalem is indeed bigger than the 14 acres it was back in Zechariah's time. However, this clearly is not the ultimate fulfillment, which would occur, again, when Jesus returns.


This is the amazing promise God has made to the Israelites concerning Jerusalem.


4TH VISION: Zechariah 3
Joshua, the high priest, is on "trial," with Satan as the persecutor. Satan is accusing Joshua of sin (which is not a false accusation). (The name "Satan" means "accuser of brethren.")


We see, however, that THE angel of the Lord (Jesus) defends Joshua and makes him clean.


Jude 1:9
"The LORD rebuke you!"


Jesus used the covenant name of God, the LORD, to rebuke Satan in Zechariah 3:2 just as Michael did to rebuke Satan in Jude 1:9. 


Inspiration: Do not underestimate the power of Satan. He is a powerful angel. However, when we have God on our side, Satan holds no power over us.


Joshua was a guilty sinner (wore filthy clothes), and Satan was rightly accusing him. But through a supernatural act of the Lord, Joshua was made clean. Jesus redeemed Joshua!


5TH VISION: Zechariah 4
Zechariah sees a menorah not like any he has seen before. It is an "automated" menorah! It keeps the fire going on its own with no human effort needed! In the Temple, the oil in the menorah needs to be changed and refilled in order to keep the lamp lit. However, the menorah that Zechariah sees here has its lamps constantly lit and the oil constantly flowing. The oil often symbolize the Holy Spirit, and the lamp symbolizes the light of Christ that shines through us. Hence, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, He renews our spirit and allows Jesus to shine through our lives.


Zechariah prophesied that Zerubbabel and Joshua and the remnant of Israelites will finish building the Temple, not by might or by power (Zechariah 4:6) but by the Holy Spirit.


God's Spirit will come upon them and enable them to complete the task. They will accomplish the task not by their own power or might but by the enablement of the Holy Spirit, which will be a continual flow of support, just like the continuous flow of oil from the olive trees to the menorah.


6TH VISION: Zechariah 5:1-4
Thieves and false accusers will be judged.


7TH VISION: Zechariah 5:5-11
In the end of days, Babylon will be established as a great power. It would be the prime example of idolatry and wickedness. However, God will eventually pronounce judgment on the great power.


Revelation 17-18
God will destroy Mystery Babylon in one hour.


8TH VISION: Zechariah 6:1-8
God will protect the Israelites as the world is being judged.


The 4 horses correlate with the 4 horsemen of Revelation.


Zechariah 6:9-15
Zechariah prophesied a symbolic event: Jesus will return as King and Priest and rebuild the Temple.




2 years passed...




Heart, not religion: Zechariah 7
The Israelites fasted every year in the 5th month during the 70 years they were in exile after the Babylonians overtook them in 587 BC. They fasted to remember and mourn the destruction of the Temple that the Babylonians destroyed. However, that wasn't the only fast they established. They also fasted in the 4th month of every year to remember the capture of Jerusalem; the 10th month of every year to remember the initial siege of the Babylonians against Jerusalem; the 7th month of every year to remember the execution of a Babylonian governor.


The Israelites kept at least these 4 fasts. The main problem with these fasts is that THEY WERE NOT GOD-COMMANDED! They were man-initiated, man-made rituals. Even then, they didn't even do it with the sincere heart toward God! They didn't fast out of reverence for God or gratitude for their deliverance. They carried out these man-made rituals and traditions for their own selfish needs and wants!


Hence, when the Israelites asked God if they should continue to fast, God turned the question around on them (Zechariah 7:4-7).


We need to realize that man-made rituals are meaningless to God. Even if they were made out of good will, these rituals simply do not forward God's Will. They forward our own will--even if we mean well. The only commands we should observe are those commanded by God in the Bible!


God has warned against meaningless sacrifices (Isaiah 1:13). When we do things without sincerity, we're just going through the motions. God is not interested in that. God is interested only in our heart.


Inspiration: We should keep only God's commands, not rituals established by man. Furthermore, when we follow God's commands, we need to follow through with the sincerity of our heart! Keep His Word with the right heart, the right faith. Our motivation has to be proper. Our heart has to be sincere. Don't just fall in line doing man-made rituals. As always, study the Word of God, and think about what we are doing when we're doing it. God is not impressed with going through the motions. If we feel that's what we're doing, then that's probably what we ARE doing!


Here's the thing: going through the motions is easy. Doing rituals mindlessly is easy. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, and certain churches have adopted that as a ritual. It's a man-made ritual because God never commanded us to wash each other's feet. Jesus washed His disciples' feet to exemplify a servant's heart.


Who doesn't know how to wash feet? What's so hard about getting down on our hands and knees every once in a while to wash other people's feet if we think that's what it takes to win favor in God's eyes? Clearly, that's not the point. To live everyday as Jesus did with the heart of a servant, that's living out Jesus' second commandment.


Jesus gave us only two commandments: Love God and love others as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).


These are the two commandments we should strive to keep with our heart.


Two commandments ought to be easy enough to keep, right? Yes, if our heart is in the right place. No, if our heart desires to serve ourselves and place ourselves above God. This is why people would rather do rituals than truly commit to the Word of God. Mindless rituals are easier to do. The crazy thing is, they convince themselves that those mindless rituals are enough. Friends, wake up. God is very clear that mindless rituals are detestable to Him (Isaiah 1:13). Everyday obedience (heart of a servant) is where it's at.



Zechariah 8
God's promise to Israel: People will come to the Lord by the way of the Israelites. God is zealous for Israel. Forget the fasts; they are remnants of past failures. Look to the future. Keep God's word and look to the future.


Coming back to the Israelites' question about the fasts, should the fasts be kept?


No. They shouldn't have taken place in the first place. God never commanded them to.


No. Stop keeping those fasts and start keeping those everyday obedience.


No. They're reminders of your past failure. Live in the present, where God is zealous for us.


No. Keep our eyes on the future, where there will be feasts.


Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


Zechariah 9:1-8
All the Gentile nations surrounding Israel will one day be judged and destroyed. However, Jerusalem will not be harmed. It will be spared (Zechariah 9:8).


This was fulfilled in 333 BC, during the military campaign of Alexander the Great. He came in from the north and destroyed all the cities mentioned here, tracking the exact same route prophesied here. On the first pass down south, Alexander spared Jerusalem. On his way back north, he spared Jerusalem again, just as prophesied.


Zechariah 9:8 is only partially fulfilled because the second half has not been fulfilled. In the last days, Jerusalem will once again be surrounded by Gentile nations. When Jesus returns, those nations will be judged, Jerusalem will be saved, and it will never be trampled upon ever again.


Zechariah 9:9-17
Zechariah gives another prophecy: the coming of the King, the ruler of Jerusalem and the world, a ruler unlike any other before Him, Jesus Christ.


Jesus will be formally presented by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. And when Jesus comes, He will set up a worldwide dominion, bringing forward universal peace. There will be no weapons in Jerusalem, and enemies of Israel will be judged.


Because of Zechariah 9:9-10, Israelites expected Jesus to come as a King. In fact, even His disciples thought Jesus would reign as King when the Temple was being built during their time.


It is important to note that Old Testament prophets and Israelites did not know there were two comings of Christ. When they spoke of coming, they all thought there was only going to be one coming! Thus, when they spoke the prophecies, they intermingled both comings. With the coming of Jesus and His teaching documented in the New Testament, we now know that Jesus comes first as a humble servant and comes a second time as a glorious King and Priest.


Jesus indeed publicly presented Himself as God by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, thus fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. The rest of the prophecy, however, has yet been fulfilled. They will be during the second coming of Christ.


Zechariah 9:13 has also been partially fulfilled. Between 163-175 BC, the sons of Maccabean fought off sons of Greece. However, this will be ultimately fulfilled with the 2nd coming of Jesus, as illustrated in Zechariah 9:14-17. The Messiah will deliver Israel from her enemies.


Zechariah 10:1-5
All corrupted leadership--political and spiritual--will be removed. Throughout Israel's history, there were more corrupted kings, priests, and false prophets than good and true. These leaders will all be judged


Zechariah 10:2
Idolatry will be judged. When the messiah comes, he will be the center of everything: leadership, wisdom, shelter, etc.


Zechariah 10:6-12
The Messiah will gather all of Israel--geographically and spiritually.


We need to realize that God is totally accurate and sovereign.


To sum up Zechariah 9-10, we see that:

1. The Messiah is going to come.
2. He will be formally presented to the nation.
3. He will be just.
4. He will bring salvation.
5. He will establish a worldwide kingdom.
6. He will institute worldwide peace.
7. He will deliver Israel from all of her enemies.
8. He will remove all corrupt leadership in Israel.
9. He will regather all of Israel unto Himself.


Of these prophesies, only Zechariah 9:9 has been fulfilled today. It was fulfilled in Jesus first coming (Cf the 4 Gospels). The rest have not been fulfilled because Israel rejected their king. They crucified Him. The religious leaders, as representatives of Israel, rejected their Messiah. Because of this rejection, the timeline prophesied in Daniel 9:20-27 has stopped.


There is a time gap between Zechariah 9:9 and Zechariah 9:10. This time gap has been the last 2000 years and counting! The New Testament is a record of the Church Age and has been presented as a mystery to the Old Testament prophets. Why a mystery? They didn't know they were going to reject Jesus. They've been praying so hard for a Messiah, they didn't know they wouldn't recognize Him when they saw Him! They expected only the coming of a glorious King; they didn't expect their Messiah to come humbly on a donkey! This time gap doesn't last forever though. Once the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, the timeline will resume (Romans 11:25).


As mentioned above, we now know Jesus will come again. The Old Testament prophets didn't. They spoke of Jesus' 1st and 2nd comings as the same thing. For example, Zechariah 9:9 blends into Zechariah 9:10. Given the New Testament, we now know there is a gap between the two verses. 


When Jesus comes again, the rest of these prophecies will be fulfilled. Upon the Rapture, the time gap (or, parenthesis) will be removed. The Church will be removed from Earth and caught up with Jesus in Heaven. The timeline moves forward again, and Jesus will restore His people.


Zechariah 11:1-3
Judgment is coming to Jerusalem: Land will be ravaged; everything will be in ruins.


This was fulfilled in 70 AD by the Roman Empire. Israelites were judged because they would rejected their Messiah. 


Zechariah 11:4-7
This is a picture of Jesus during His first coming: Zechariah was told to be a good Shepard to the people who were led astray due to corrupted leadership, just as Jesus was the Good Shepherd to the Israelites during His first coming.


Zechariah 11:8
The three shepherds could be the 3 groups of leaders that Jesus came into contact with during His time: Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Herodians. Or, they could be the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes.


Zechariah 11:10-13
This foreshadows what would happen to Jesus during His 1st coming: Jesus would be rejected by his people and be betrayed by Judas.


When Judas regretted betraying Jesus, he cast 30 pieces of silver into the Lord's house. The money was picked up and used to buy a potter's field, a worthless piece of land. These events parallel Zechariah 11:13.


Zechariah 11:15-17
Since Israel rejected the Good Shepherd, God will raise up a foolish shepherd who will not care for them. This shepherd is thought to be the Anti-Christ, the world leader who would rise up through the ranks in the end of time.


Daniel 9
The Anti-Christ will somehow solve the Middle East crisis. He will sign a peace treaty with Israel. He will become their shepherd but turn on them half way through the Tribulation. 


John 5:43
Jesus knew His people would reject Him but readily accept the fake.


How sad! What does this say about us? Does this not speak of our superficial heart? We readily leap toward those who offer us materialistic riches and comforts but stagger when we're offered eternal blessings and life? Why is that? Is it because we cannot believe what we do not see? Or, is it because we choose to believe what we want and accept whatever it is that most conveniently fits our selfish wants? Whatever the reason, I hope we all have it figured out. I'm standing firmly with Jesus. I pray that we all do.


Zechariah 11:17
Revelation 13:3
The Anti-Christ will be mortally wounded. His right eye will be blinded. His arm will be withered.