Zechariah

Zechariah

Historical Background and Purpose

The book of Zechariah was written by the priest and prophet, Zechariah, whose name means, "The LORD remembers".  God's people had been held in Babylonian captivity for seventy years.  King Cyrus of Persia defeated the Babylonians and allowed all of the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild God's Temple.  However, only a small remant of the Jews (approximately 50,000) returned to Jerusalem.  This remnant built the altar and began the work of rebuilding God's Temple.  They successfully laid the foundation of the Temple; however, they discontinued construction on the Temple when they encountered opposition from the local residents.  The prophet, Zechariah, confronted the Jewish remnant and encouraged them to finish building God's Temple.  He also gave them a vision of God's purposes beyond the restored Temple.  The purpose of the book of Zechariah was to challenge the Jewish remnant to finish rebuilding God's Temple in Jerusalem so that they may receive God's blessings.  It also gave them a glimpse of God's future plans for them.

Character and Nature of God

God desires His people to return to Him so that He may return to them (see Zechariah 1:3).  God desires His people to repent of their sinfulness and return to Him.  God desires to live among His people (see Zechariah 2:10-12).  God desires to bless His people; therefore, God encourages His people to carefully follow His ways (see Zechariah 3:7).  God curses people who steal and those who swear falsely in His name (see Zechariah 5:3-4).  God desires  His people to judge fairly, show mercy and kindness to one another (Zechariah 7:9).  God desires His people to not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, or the poor (Zechariah 7:10).  God desires His people to not scheme against each other (Zechariah 7:10).  God's love for His people is passionate and strong (see Zechariah 8:2).  God desires His people to tell the truth and not tell lies (see Zechariah 8:15-17). God desires to bless His people so much that other people will want Him to be their God as well (see Zechariah 8:20-22).  

God's Redemptive Plan for Mankind

God has a plan to save man from their sins.  Zechariah 3:8-10 states, "'Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests.  You are symbols of things to come.  Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.  Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets.  I will engrave an inscription on it, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.  And on that days, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit with you peaceful under your own grapevine and fig tree."  The Branch (Jesus) will come and save mankind from all their sins.  Jesus will make it possible for man to be with God - forever.