STUDIES IN THE PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH 1 by William D. Barrick, Th.D. Context Zechariah shares the same historical context as Haggai, beginning his preaching only a few months after Haggai does, and continuing to prophesy during the time that the returning exiles complete rebuilding the temple. 2 Zechariah interprets the events that have occurred since the return from exile. He speaks of Israel s future and of the nation s Messianic expectations. The prophet presents a greater and grander picture of Israel s future as compared to their restoration from the Babylonian exile. Theme: Yahweh has restored Israel as a prelude to the coming Messiah s restoration of His people from their spiritual exile. Outline I. Introduction: A Call to Repentance (1:1 6) II. The Night Visions (1:7 6:8) A. The Four Horsemen: The Restoration of Israel (1:7 17) B. The Four Horns: The Restoration of Israel s Protection (1:18 21) C. The Surveyor: The Restoration of the Temple (chapt. 2) D. The Priest: The Restoration of the High Priest (chapt. 3) E. The Menorah: The Restoration of the King (chapt. 4) F. The Flying Scroll: The Restoration of Honesty (5:1 4) G. The Ephah: Sins Purged (5:5 11) H. The Chariots: The Day of Yahweh (6:1 8) III. The Coronation of the High Priest (6:9 15) 3 IV. A Question about Fasting (chapts. 7 8) A. Introduction (7:1 3) B. Hypocritical Fasting (7:4 14) C. True Fasting (8:1 23) 1 Parts of this material consist of an adaptation of a number of different sources, including the author s own adaptation of material from the core seminar curriculum of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC for equipping classes at Placerita Bible Church, Santa Clarita, CA and the following commentaries: David Baron, The Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah, Kregel Reprint Library (1918; reprint, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1972), Eugene H. Merrill, An Exegetical Commentary: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Chicago: Moody Press, 1994), and Merrill F. Unger, Zechariah: Prophet of Messiah s Glory (1963; reprint, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970). 2 The text does not provide dates for the prophecies of the last five chapters of the book. 3 Note that these verses (6:9 15) provide the basis for understanding the meaning of the night visions.
STUDIES IN THE PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH 2 V. The Coming of the King and the Day of Yahweh (chapts. 9 11) A. The Advent of the Messianic King (9:1 17) B. The Restoration of Israel (10:1 12) C. The Judgment of Judah s Wicked Kings (11:1 17) VI. The Future of Israel (chapts. 12 14) A. Judah s Repentance (12:1 14) B. Judah s Refinement (13:1 9) C. Yahweh s Sovereign Reign (14:1 21) The Priest-King The future the high priesthood and the kingship over God s people will be combined in one person! Notice also that this person is called the Branch, in verse 12, which is a Messianic title. 4 And lastly, in verses 12 13, notice that Zechariah says that this Messianic-Priest-King will be the one building the temple about which Haggai had prophesied (Hag 2:1 9). Of course, the future High Priest is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Hebrews 5:5 6 says, 5 So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him who said to Him, You are My Son, today I have begotten You ; 6 as He says also in another place, You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. (ESV) But a little while later in Hebrews 7:14, the writer points out that David and his descendants are of the tribe of Judah, and reminds us that, For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. (ESV) Jesus high priesthood is greater than any priesthood Israel ever experienced, and His kingship is forever. 5 He is the great future Priest-King So, the Messianic kingship and priesthood move through biblical revelation and Israel s history until they converge on the Messiah in Zechariah s prophecies. Jesus sacrificed His own blood in priestly manner and propitiated the wrath of Almighty God which had been stirred up by the sins of His people. Then Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave to sit down on an eternal throne from which He rules the entire universe evermore, 6 and invites everyone to come and bow the knee in faith and submission to Him as the great Priest-King. 7 4 2 Sam 23:5; Isa 4:2; 11:1; Jer 23:5 6; 33:14 22; Zech 3:8. 5 We are also told these things in Ps 110. 6 This theological concept is extremely important to understand. Jesus today is not sitting on the throne of David that was promised to the Greater Son of David. Today Jesus is King over the Universal Kingdom of God. In the future He will return to sit on the throne of David and reign for a mere 1,000 years as the Davidic King promised in the Davidic Covenant over what has been variously termed Messianic Kingdom, Intermediate Kingdom, or Millennial Kingdom. These two different reigns (eternal vs.
STUDIES IN THE PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH 3 The so-called Night Visions in chapters 1 6 contain a series of scenes that all focus on something restored after the exile. All point forward to the time when the priesthood and kingship are truly reestablished combined in the One Great High Priest and King in His earthly millennial (1,000-year) reign and then throughout eternity. Starting in chapter 9, the book changes as Zechariah focuses more intently on God s final redemption of His people Israel. The coming Priest-King will judge the enemies of God s people and care for God s people. The Messianic Priest-King will be humble, riding on a donkey (9:9). He will put an end to wars and proclaim peace (9:10). But, 13:7 reveals that He must first be rejected and oppressed. After His oppression, however, He will triumph and avenge Himself on His enemies (14:3). Yahweh will be King over all the earth, 14:10. Even His former enemies will come to worship Him (14:16). And all of His people and their lowliest of possessions will be holy to Yahweh (14:20 21). The prophecies of Zechariah leave Israel looking forward to a time beyond the exile when the Priest-King will come. That is also how Matthew opens his gospel waiting for the exile to finally and completely end with the coming of the Priest-King forever. 1,000 years), roles (heavenly King vs. earthly King), and purposes (fulfilling the covenants with Israel vs. fulfilling the Kingdom program of God from Creation onward) must be maintained distinctly as presented so very clearly in Alva J. McClain, The Greatness of the Kingdom: An Inductive Study of the Kingdom of God (Chicago: Moody Press, 1968). See, also, Paul N. Benware, Understanding End Times Prophecy: A Comprehensive Approach (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 135 45, 279 89. 7 The invitation to all is seen in v. 15 where it says that those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD. Those from afar are the Gentile nations who now, in the age of the Church, also comprise the people of God together with believing Jews.
STUDIES IN THE PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH 4 Outline for Taking Notes on Studies in the Prophecies of Zechariah Session 4 I. Introduction: A Call to Repentance (1:1 6) II. The Night Visions (1:7 6:8) A. The Four Horsemen: The Restoration of Israel (1:7 17) B. The Four Horns: The Restoration of Israel s Protection (1:18 21) C. The Surveyor: The Restoration of the Temple (chapt. 2) D. The Priest: The Restoration of the High Priest (chapt. 3) E. The Menorah: The Restoration of the King (chapt. 4)
STUDIES IN THE PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH 5 Session 5 F. The Flying Scroll: The Restoration of Honesty (5:1 4) G. The Ephah: Sins Purged (5:5 11) H. The Chariots: The Day of Yahweh (6:1 8) III. The Coronation of the High Priest (6:9 15) IV. A Question about Fasting (chapts. 7 8) A. Introduction (7:1 3) B. Hypocritical Fasting (7:4 14) C. True Fasting (8:1 23)
STUDIES IN THE PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH 6 Session 6 V. The Coming of the King and the Day of Yahweh (chapts. 9 11) A. The Advent of the Messianic King (9:1 17) B. The Restoration of Israel (10:1 12) C. The Judgment of Judah s Wicked Kings (11:1 17) Session 7 VI. The Future of Israel (chapts. 12 14)
STUDIES IN THE PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH 7 A. Judah s Repentance (12:1 14) B. Judah s Refinement (13:1 9) C. Yahweh s Sovereign Reign (14:1 21) Session 8 Q&A