The author of the longest book in the library of the Minor Prophets is identified in the first book of his prophecy as “the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo” (1:1). Only Zephaniah’s lineage is more exhaustively traced than Zechariah’s. His name means “God remembers,” and this takes on significance when the message of the book is considered. Studying Ezra and Nehemiah, one can deduce that Zechariah is of a priestly lineage (Ezra 5:1; 6:14; Neh. 12:4,16). Matthew 23:35 reveals that the prophet was martyred.
The consensus view of the date of Zechariah is 520-470 B.C. Zechariah, along with Haggai, are commissioned by God to stir up the people in order to finish the work of rebuilding the temple. The reflexive command in Zechariah 1:3 is key to the book, that if they return to God He will always return to them. Of the three major periods of the Minor Prophets (the Assyrian Period of the 8th-7th Century, the Babylonian Period of the 7th Century, and the Persian Period of the 6th-5th Century), Zechariah belongs to the latter. It is often called the Post-Exilic Period, following 70 years in Babylon being freed and repatriated by Cyrus the Great.
The theme of Zechariah’s writing is the need of the people to rebuild their lives through obeying His Law. He accomplishes this primarily through the use of visions, of which there are nine in the first six chapters. Following these, the prophet engages in didactic discourse (or sermons) on the matter of spiritual renewal in chapters seven and eight. The final section focuses on two major Messianic events, His coming and judgment followed by an overview of what would be in His earthly ministry (note the phrase, “that day,” found 17 times in the final three chapters) (ch. 9-14).
Looking deeper into these three sections, here is what we find.
Night Visions (1:7-6:15)
- The nations who punished Judah seem to prosper, but God assures them otherwise (1:8-17).
- The four horns destroyed, representing God’s pledge to destroy those nations (1:18-21).
- Jerusalem will prosper, walled in by God’s protection rather than stones (2:1-13).
- Joshua’s replacement, “The Branch,” will purge sin from the land (3:1-10).
- God will use Zerubbabel to finish rebuilding the temple (4:1-14).
- The “Flying Scroll” reveals God’s verdict on the dishonest (5:1-4).
- The “Grain Basket” with the woman within illustrates the removal of wickedness from the land (5:5-11).
- The “Four Spirits” confirm that God’s judgment has been realized (6:1-8).
- The coronation of Joshua as priest and king, symbolizing the Messiah (6:9-15).
Didactic Discourses (7:1-8:23)
- Put greater focus on inner reform than outer reform (7:2-7).
- Put greater focus on social justice than your ancestors (7:8-14).
- God’s favor would be evidenced by the people’s restoration in the land (8:1-17).
- Fasting would be replaced with feasting (8:18-23)
It has been suggested that chapters seven and eight is a chiasm, the center of which is Zech. 8:8. Numerous others identify chiasms in other parts of the book and in bigger sections.
Messianic Prophecy (9:1-14:21)
- The Messiah will be a warrior (9:8).
- The Messiah will be a humble king (9:9).
- The Messiah will be a liberator (9:11-15).
- The Messiah will be a strong, but gentle, shepherd
(9:16-10:12) - The Messiah will be a better judge and leader than they had (11:1-17).
- The Messiah will be a suffering servant (12:1-13:9).
- The Messiah will be a victorious king (14:1-21).
That this section is thoroughly Messianic is demonstrated by the ten times it is quoted by New Testament writers and applied to Christ (9:9 and Mat. 21:5 + John 12:15; 11:13 + Mat. 27:9; 12:3 + Luke 21:24; 12:10 + John 19:37; Rev. 1:7; 13:7 + Mark 14:27; 14:5 + 1 Th. 3:13; 14:8 + John 7:38; 14:21 + John 2:16), a total of five different inspired penmen.
Zechariah is written in apocalyptic language, with God revealing His word and will to His people through highly figurative and symbolic language. It contains a message of past deliverance, present responsibilities, and future hope. It reveals the perseverance of God in the face of a people who still struggle with sin, but who still have work to do. It promises that God will supply the answer through the One who will complete the largest restoration movement in history by offering Himself for sin.