Thoughts

Introduction

Zechariah and Haggai (which we read last week) were contemporaries. Both were called by God after the 70 year exile. Zechariah's prophecy came two months after Haggai's first prophecy. Where the prophecies of Haggai had primarily to do with the Temple, Zechariah's were about the people. The language of Zechariah's messages were very similar to that of the book of Revelation, with symbolism, types, and visions.

Zechariah is a common name in the Old Testament, and we do not know much about the author of this prophetic book. We do know from the book of Ezra that he was the son of Iddo.

The Message

In chapter one, God's message to the people is, "Return to me, and I will return to you.”

In reading chapters 1-7, there are prophecies of the coming Messiah.

Seeing Jesus In the Book of Zechariah

In chapter 1, verse 11, He is the man who stood among the myrtle trees. 

In chapter two, he is the man with a measuring line in his hand. Here, Jesus is going to measure the physical size of Jerusalem, because many are going to be added to the city because those who have been spread abroad like the four winds of heaven are being called back. Because of this, Jerusalem will increase.  

Then a second angel comes to Jesus and tells Him to tell Zechariah that Jerusalem will be like a city without walls because of the multitude of the population of people and livestock. But the people are not to be afraid of having no walls, because God will be their protector, like a wall of fire around them, and His glory will be in their midst. 

Beloved, this is a vision of what is to be. God is not just calling the Jews, but anyone who will put their trust in His Son. In verse 11 of chapter two, the Lord says, “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord  in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.”

This chapter is a call to all of us to rejoice in God’s plan and His promises.

In chapter 3, Jesus is referred to as the Branch.

We read again of the Branch in chapter 6.

Jesus, I AM

There are several times in these chapters we read references to the Messiah. Remember, Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. He is the I AM. He has always been, and He will always be. He was at the creation, and He has always been active in the affairs of man. For Zechariah, or any of the prophets to have seen Him in visions is not surprising. 

I’m looking forward to the day when I will see Him face to face.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1-5 NKJV, Ch. 6-7 NIV

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