What is the main message of the book of zechariah

The recurring theme of the book is restoration. If the remnant returning from exile obeys the Lord, the prosperity of the land will be restored (1:16-17; 2:10; 3:6-7; 8:3-8; 9:14-17). Throughout the book, passages of judgment for disobedience alternate with promises of restoration for those who follow the Lord.

Forgiveness

Zechariah includes several images to describe the effect of forgiveness. In 3:3-5 sinfulness is being dressed in “filthy clothes,” and forgiveness is to be clothed in “festal apparel” with a clean turban on one’s head and an angel standing at one’s side. God’s people will be “the apple of my eye” (2:8). The concluding chapter of the book describes the restored and forgiven people of God as living where there is no “cold or frost,” no darkness, and where “the LORD will become king over all the earth” (14:6-9).

God as refiner

God as a refiner of his people, as the process of refining purifies and strengthens metal, is found not only here in 13:9, but also in IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century B.C.E. (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)–preachers who boldly proclaimed God’s word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time. 48:10, JeremiahProphet who condemned Judah’s infidelity to God, warned of Babylonian conquest, and promised a new covenant 6:29; 9:7; DanielAn interpreter of dreams who was delivered from the lions’ den. 11:35; and Malachi 3:2-3. The image confronts us with the age-old question of God’s role in human suffering.

God of all, active in history, Lord of all the earth

God not only calls forth leaders for the people of Israel, but is active on their behalf, punishing their enemies. God is the Lord of all the earth (6:5; 14:9), and Zechariah foresees a time when “many nations shall join themselves to the LORD” (2:11). People from many cities and nations will “seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and…entreat the favor of the LORD” (8:22).

King over all the earth

The Lord is the covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God’s people are known as covenants; they state or imply a relationship of commitment and obedience. God of Israel, and Zechariah’s immediate purpose is to encourage the rebuilding of the templeThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged…. However, typical of the later prophets, his view of God is not only the God of the Jewish people, but ultimately the God over all nations.

Ritual versus compassion

Following the visions of chapters 1-6, the prophet speaks a series of oracles. Chapter 7 begins by saying that the four traditional times of fasting (8:19) no longer apply to the present age. The passage is reminiscent of other verses from the later prophets, urging ethical actions rather than rituals (see Isaiah 1:11-14; 61:1, 8; AmosProphet to the northern kingdom who condemned Israel’s oppression of the poor, calling for justice to “roll down like waters.” 5:10-15, 21-24; Micah 6:6-8).

Leadership

A recurring theme throughout the book is the faithful rule of God’s people. Images abound describing what kind of ruler Zechariah anticipates–“Branch,” combining the religious role of the priestA priest is a person who has the authority to perform religious rites. In New Testament times priests were responsible for daily offerings and sacrifices in the temple. with royal leadership (6:12-13); one who cares for the widowA widow is a woman whose spouse has died, often plunging her into poverty and putting her in a vulnerable position in society. Jesus, in his concern for the poor, regards widows with compassion and concern. and the orphan (7:8-10); a king riding on a donkey instead of a warhorse (9:9); a faithful shepherd (10:3; 11:7); and a leader of the remnant faithful to the Lord (13:8-9).

MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified…

Zechariah does not use terms such as “messiah,” “anointed one,” “servant,” etc., but several references in the book have been applied in the New Testament to Jesus–the king riding a donkey into Jerusalem (9:9), the betrayal with thirty pieces of silver (11:12), the faithful shepherd struck down (11:7; 13:7), the pierced one (12:10), etc.

Satan

A discussion of evil in the Bible involves a whole constellation of themes–the devil, Satan, fallen angels, temptation, etc. In Zechariah, Satan is “the Accuser” (3:1), not specifically the personification of evil, although his accusation of JoshuaThe successor of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan the high priestThe high priest was the most powerful priest in the temple in Jerusalem. The high priest Caiaphas held the office during the trial of Jesus. Later, in the New Testament book of Hebrews, the role of merciful high priest is ascribed to the resurrected Jesus. is rebuked by the Lord.

So God exiled them to foreign lands. The northern tribes were carried off by Assyrians; the southern tribes went to Babylon for 70 years. Now the Jews had been released to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of the Lord.

The city is in ruins. The royal family has been reduced to governor status. The temple is under construction. But the words of the prophets still remain.

And now the Jews have another chance to pay attention. God sends them a new prophet: Zechariah. This prophet has colorful visions—messages of comfort and hope to the Jews. It all begins with a simple request: “Return to Me,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I may return to you” (Zec 1:3).

Zechariah’s writings encourage and admonish the Jews of Jerusalem. He specifically affirms the governor and priest of that time (Zec 3, 4). He chastises the foolish leaders among them (Zec 11), and calls all the people to follow God and remember the words of the prophets before (Zec 1:6).

But most importantly, he anticipates a full restoration of God and His people. The temple will be rebuilt, Israel will be purified, the enemies will be overcome, and the Lord Himself will dwell in Jerusalem. But this restoration isn’t only for the Jews: the Lord will rule the whole earth, and all the nations will worship Him (Zech 8:22; 14:9).

Theme verse in Zechariah

“Return to Me,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. (Zec 1:3b)

Bible verse drawings by Adrien Converse.

Zechariah’s role in the Bible

Zechariah is the eleventh of the Minor Prophets, the last 12 books of the Old Testament. When God had a message for the people, He spoke through the prophets. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like.

Most of the Minor Prophets wrote about the coming destruction of Judah, Israel, or the surrounding nations, but Zechariah is different. Like Haggai and Malachi, Zechariah shows up on the scene long after the destruction took place.

Of the Minor Prophets, Zechariah is easily the hardest to understand.

This is partially due to the dense symbolic nature of his writings. Whereas Hosea, Micah, and others give direct instructions and warnings of what is to come, Zechariah “lifts up his eyes” to see scenes, characters, and strange objects. Zechariah is one of only two Minor Prophets who records his visions in this way; the other one is Amos (Am 7:8; 8:2; 9:1).

Zechariah uses a few different ways to communicate God’s word to the people in this book:

• Visions. Zechariah has vivid visions, similar to those that you see in the books of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation. He sees lampstands (Zech 4:2), horses(Zech 6:2), flying scrolls (Zech 5:2), and other images that symbolize the spiritual landscape. Lucky for Zechariah—and us!—an angel interprets many of these symbols (Zech 4:4–6).
• The word of the Lord. This is your typical prophetic discourse, which you’ll find in almost every book of the Minor Prophets (except Jonah). This is God using Zechariah as His mouthpiece to the people through word alone.
• Symbolic demonstrations. Sometimes, Zechariah will do something in the physical world that represents the spiritual side of things. In one example, Zechariah forges a crown for the high priest Joshua (not the one who fought at Jericho) to remind Him that one day, there will be a Man who is both king and high priest in Jerusalem.

The prophets Zechariah and Haggai were contemporaries: the book of Ezra notes that these two prophets compelled the Jews to finish rebuilding the temple of the Lord, even thought he surrounding nations were opposing them (Ezr 5:1–2). Haggai’s recorded ministry seems to conclude after three months, but Zechariah continues to preach for at least two more years (Zech 1:1, 7:1).

Here’s something interesting: while Ezra sees Haggai and Zechariah motivating the Jews toward one goal, the two books of prophecy show some striking differences:

• Haggai gives brief, almost clipped messages. Zechariah is the longest book of the Minor Prophets.
• Haggai focuses explicitly on the present temple work, while Zechariah deals with the larger picture of Israel’s history and future.
• Haggai is very literal, directly addressing the economic decline and the tangible solution (building the temple). Zechariah is highly symbolic, instead pointing to the spiritual activities behind the scenes.

Zechariah is ultimately a message of assurance: God has brought the Jews back to Jerusalem, and His work of restoration is far from over.

Quick outline of Zechariah

1. Zechariah’s first visions (Zech 1–6)
   • The Lord calls Jerusalem to return to Him (Zech 1)
   • The Lord will return to Jerusalem (Zech 2)
   • The Lord affirms Jeshua and Zerubbabel (Zech 3–4)
   • The Lord’s judgment on other nations (Zech 5–6:8)
   • The Lord promises a priestly king (Zech 6:9–15)
2. Zechariah’s teaching to Israel (Zech 7–8)
   • Learn from the former days (Zech 7)
   • The Lord’s return to Zion (Zech 8)
3. Zechariah’s oracles (Zech 9–14)
   • Judgment on the nations, blessings on Israel (Zech 9–10)
   • Warnings against foolish shepherds (Zech 11)
   • Victory for God and His people (Zech 12–14)

More pages related to Zechariah

• Haggai (contemporary prophet who also encouraged the leaders)
• Daniel (more vivid, end-times visions)
• Ezekiel (more vivid, end-times visions)
• Revelation (more vivid, end-times visions)
• Malachi (also ministered after the return from exile)