Zechaiuah 1-4. Zechariah the prophet is the eleventh Minor Prophet of the twelve and the second post-captivity prophet, the third being Malachi.

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1 1 2 3/19/17 Zechaiuah 1-4 Zechariah the prophet is the eleventh Minor Prophet of the twelve and the second post-captivity prophet, the third being Malachi. The main criteria for determining a Minor prophet was the length of the book, yet Zechariah contains 14 chapters while the book of Daniel contains only 12 chapters and is categorized as a Major prophet. So much for logic & reason. Zechariah is apocalyptic dealing signs, symbols, visions etc. The book of Daniel and Ezekial are also apocalyptic in nature and in the N.T. we have the book of Revelation. -These deal much with the end times and the establishing of the Kingdom Age. 1:1-6 The introduction and call to repentance. 1:1 The introduction to Zechariah. 1) The date of the prophecy was on the eight month, the second year of Darius. vs. 1a a) The date like Haggai is according to the Gentile rulers, as the Time of the Gentiles began with the head of gold, Nebuchadnezzar, but the months according the Jewish monthsthe Persian Gentile king Darius Hystaspes from B.C. b) The Persian Gentile king Darius Hystaspes from reigned from B.C., Darius Dar; yavesh means lord. c) The date is Nov. 520 B. C., two months after Haggai s first prophesy and one month after his second prophesy. Hag 1:1, 2:1 2) The word of the LORD Yahweh came to Zechariah. vs. 1b a) This is a common expression to indicate God communicated to Zechariah his will, intent and purpose by His Super-natural way. b) The phrase appears four times in Haggai. Hag. 1:1; 2:1, 10, 20 3) The propjet s genealogical line is given, Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet. vs. 1b-c a) The name of Zechariah Z@karyah means Yahweh remembers. 1)) There are over thirty men by the same name, Zechariah is a contemporary with Haggai and younger than Haggai. Zech. 2:4 3)) Zechariah is the eleventh Minor prophet, the second of three postcaptivity, Haggai is the first and Malachi the third and believed to be the Zechariah Jesus accused the fathers of slaying between the temple and alter. Matt. 23:35

2 3 4 4)) We noted that Zechariah was of the line of king David, now he is also a prophet. b) Zechariah s father was Berichiah Berekyah, which means Yahweh blesses, several men go by this name. c) Zechariah is the grandson of Iddo the prophet nabiy, one who spoke for God to the people.. 1)) Again there are several with the same name, but his family line is confirmed. Ezra 5:1; 6:14 2)) The three names combined mean The Lord remembers, the Lord blesses, His witness, at the appointed time., the Time of the Gentiles. Lk. 21:24 1:2-3 The message of of Zechariah was one of repentance. 1) God had been angry in the past, not just for the neglect of the temple, but due their heart attitude and lives. vs. 2 * Zech. 1:2; 7:7, 12 2) The Lord sets the condition for reconciliation. vs. 3 a) The authority is divine, Says the Lord, appearing twenty-two times. b) The authority is supreme, The Lord of Host, appearing fifty-two times, the Captain of the armies of heaven. c) The invitation is to turn or repent. d) The benefit was that God would turn to them. * Uzziah prospered as long as he sought the Lord, but when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his own destruction. 2Chron. 26:5, 16 1:4-6 The warning against not repenting. 1) The warning from history was to not follow the example of rebellion by their fathers against the message of the prophets. vs. 4 a) They would not turn away form their evil, refused to hear or listen to God! b) The former prophets being Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea, etc. 2) The lesson to be learned. vs. 5-6 a) The rhetorical questions have only one answer, ther faithers were dead and the prophets do not live foerever, both were finite and mortal. vs. 5 b) The second rhetorical question again has only one answer, Yes! The word of God overtook and judged their fathers. vs. 6ac c) They acknowledged God just judgement having received their just due. vs. 6d-g 1:7-17 The night visions. Zech. 1:7-6:15 1:7-17 The vision of the horseman is the first vision. * These are interpreted in different ways. 1. Some say there are only seven visions, making the difference between normal

3 5 6 prophecy and when declared to see with his eyes a vision. Zech. 1:6, 18; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1 * A vision is while you are awake, while a dream is when you are asleep. 2. Other say there are eight visions interpreting chapter five as two vision, in stead of one. * If examined closely it is one vision of what is cursed and wicked. 3. Still others break them all up ending up with ten visions, not distinguishing between normal prophecies and visions. a. I distinguish seven visions from the other prophecies! b. All are received in one night, five months exactly after the rebuilding of the temple was resumed. Hag. 1:15: Zech. 1:7-6:15 1:7 The date of the first vision. 1) The vision took place on Feb. 24, 520 B. C., three months after. Zech. 1:7, 1:1 2) The same genealogy is given. Zech. 1:1 1:8-10 The vision and questions. 1) The visions of four horses revealed. vs. 8 a) Zechariah came under the influence of the Spirit of God, I saw by night. vs. 8a 1)) The word saw ra ah means do behold or perceive and the vision came during the night time, but it should not be called a dream. 2)) A prophet was also called a seer, like Samuel and Gad the prophet. 2Sam. 9:11, 18-19; 1Chron. 21:9 b) Zechariah began to observe what God was revealing to him. vs. 8b-h 1)) The phrase and behold indicates a sudden appearance of a man riding on a red horse. vs. 8b-c * The red horse is a symbol of war. Rev. 6 3)) He saw them in a wooded ravine, among the myrtle trees in the hollow. vs. 8d * Myrtle trees are native to Israel, perhaps in the Valley of Hinnom or Kidron, since Jerusalem is the focus? 4)) He saw others, and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. vs. 8eh * The red symbolic of war, the sorrel is tawny, bay or speckled, symbolic of strength and the white is symbolic of peace or victory. Rev. 6:2 2) The vision was a mystery to Zechariah so he asked the man on the red horse the question, Then I said, My lord, what are these? vs. 9a-b a) Even though Zechariah had no understanding about what he saw, he knew this was a revelation from God. b) The book is symbolic with signs, visions and symbols that for the most part are

4 7 8 interpreted for us by an angel. Zech. 1:9, 19; 4:6, 14; 5:3, 8; 6:5 2) The angel answer he would reveal it to Zechariah, So the angel who talked with me said to me, I will show you what they are. vs. 9c-d a) Angels are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation, servants of God. Heb. 1:14 b) Fifty-three times angels are involved in pouring out the judgment of God on the earth and at time giving John understanding in Revelation. c) Daniel was praying at the end of captivity and seeking God was sent to give him the 70 Weeks prophecy. Dan. 9: ) The man standing amount the myrtle trees, probably another angel told Zechariah, These are the ones whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth. vs. 10 a) The One commanding these horses is the covenant God of Israel, the LORD has sent. b) Their mission of these angelic watchers was to patrol the activities of the nations of the world in relation to Israel, the people of God, To walk to and fro throughout the earth. c) Showing Divine activity and control over the affairs of the world and for now was quietly resting, carelessly at ease, while Israel suffered, but soon God would shake the nations. 1:12-17 The angel of the Lord intercedes for Jerusalem. Zech. 1: ) Intercession for Jerusalem. vs. 12 a) Here Jesus intercedes for Jerusalem the seventy years being up. b) Jesus wept over Jerusalem and gave her up. Matt. 23: ) Yahweh answered good and comforting words regarding Jerusalem. vs a) Yahweh answered the angel. vs. 13 b) Zehariah was told by the angel to proclaim the captain of the armies of heave was jealous for Jerusalem and great zeal for Zioin. vs. 14 * Key verse and theme of the book. Zech. 8:2 b) God was angry at the nations He used them to chasten His people but they had no mercy, going beyond His intent. vs. 15 c) God was returning to Jerusalem with mercy. vs. 16a-b d) God s house would be built. vs. 16c e) God would expand Jerusalem. vs. 16d f) God s cities would again prosper. vs. 17ad g) God will comfort Zion. vs. 17e h) God would again choose Jerusalem. vs. 17f * The short-term now, the long term, the future blessing to come in the Kingdom age!

5 1:18-21 The vision of the horns is the second vision. * In Hebrew text Chapter two begins here. 1) The prophet is once again told the identity of the horns, the nations that scattered Judah. Zech. 1:18-19 a) The four kingdoms of the image and beasts Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. Dan. 2, 7 b) Horns represent power, strength and empires. Ps. 75:10; 89:17; Jer. 48:25; Dan. 2, 7 2) God would judge these nations for their treatment of the Jews through the craftsmen. Zech. 1:20-21 * Re-enforces the first vision! a) The people of the land had come to put fear in them as they returned. b) All the visions are related to the first and expand on it. 9 10