Introduction to Zechariah
Zechariah picks up the history of the Jewish people during the post-exilic period. Following the seventy years of captivity in Babylon, 50,000 Jewish exiles set out for the land God promised to Abraham. When they arrived, they quickly began the reconstruction of their Temple that had been destroyed in 586 BC by Nebuchadnezzar. However, their initial zeal was overcome by Samaritan and Persian opposition. For the next sixteen years, they abandoned the Temple project and focused on building their own homes in the rubble of their once glorious kingdom. Then God raised up the prophets Zechariah and Haggai to encourage the refugees to rededicate themselves to rebuilding the Temple. Zechariah declared that God still had a glorious future in store for the Jewish nation, but this future would only be realized through a renewed worship of Yahweh alone.
Literary Genre of Zechariah
Prophecy
Date Zechariah was Written
Zechariah received chapters 1-6 in 520 BC, and he received chapters 7-8 in 518 BC. Chapters 9-14 were likely received many years later, somewhere between 480 BC and 450 BC.
Who Was Zechariah
Zechariah was a young man during the Babylonian captivity. He was one of the 50,000 exiles who returned to the land with Zerubbabel following the edict of the Persian King, Cyrus. Like his ancestor Iddo, he probably served as a priest. Jesus referred to Zechariah as a righteous man who was eventually murdered for his faithful proclamation of God’s word.
Zechariah Audience
Zechariah spoke to the returning exiles who encountered foreign opposition, failed crops, and spiritual apathy. Like their ancestors, they found themselves living under the covenant curses instead of the covenant blessings (cf. Deut. 28; Lev. 26). Zechariah encouraged them to push on in rebuilding the Temple. The people eventually did respond by rebuilding the temple, but they did not fully return to the Lord as they should have.
Key verse of Zechariah
“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 1:3
The Purpose of Zechariah
Zechariah provides a heavenly perspective of hope. Man’s perspective is limited, which causes him to quickly lose heart at the first sign of trouble. However, God’s perspective looks beyond current circumstances giving confidence and strength when the present looks hopeless. In Zechariah’s time, people only saw the ruined nation, but God saw a bright future. If they returned to Him, He would make their nation strong. Thus, Zechariah was written to give God’s people hope.
Zechariah Outline
- Visions in the Night, 1-6
- Exhortation to Repentance, 7-8
- Future Hope, 9-14
Why should you study Zechariah?
We should study Zechariah today because it’s also a vision of hope for us. It contains many prophecies concerning Christ’s first and second advents. Additionally, the kingdom that was promised to Israel is the kingdom all believers will inherit when Christ returns. Thus, the book of Zechariah helps believers, “set [their] minds on things that are above.” (Col. 3:2)
Take our free course on Zechariah!
We offer a free online course on the book of Zechariah taught by Bryan Conard. Taking it will help you understand how Zechariah relates to the Biblical covenants and the second coming of Christ. You will also see its present application in your life. Click below to take the course!
Content reworked from Chad Huber’s class on the Prophets at Ethnos360 Bible Institute
Edited and formatted by Eliza Noel
