Zechariah prophesied at the time of Haggai around 520 BC, but some are written later. Zechariah service lasted for over 50 years, and much of the focus is about the rebuilding of the Temple. The prophet Zechariah was in many ways the prophet Haggai counterpart and complemented each other in a good way. While Haggai spoke to earth about what would happen in the near future if the temple was rebuilt, put Zechariah it into a larger context, and prophesied of a much larger restoration would happen when the Messiah would come.
Zechariah had many visions and dreams that told of things that got people
to wonder. As usual contained his prophecies
promises, warnings, strict words and comforting words. Some of the visions he
received was complicated puzzles that God gave, and God himself gave the answer
to. The answers were often short and understandable, and as they came from God,
they would have a major impact on what happens in the future for Israel and for
the whole world.
"It is not by
force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heavens Armies" (4:6).
God turns it clear that without him we are helpless – which we find in
many places in the Bible.
What does this book show about the character and
nature of God?
2:5: “Then I, myself, will be a protective
wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the LORD. And I will be the glory
inside the city!”
8:8: “They will be my people, and
I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.”
10:6: "I will strengthen
Judah and save Israel; I will restore them because of my compassion. It will be
as though I had never rejected them, for I am the LORD their God, who will hear
their cries.”
What does this book show about God’s redemptive
plan for mankind?
I think much of what Zechariah said pointing
towards Jesus, and especially these scriptures:3:8-9: “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.”
6:12-13: “Tell him, This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the LORD. Yes, he will build the Temple of the LORD. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.”
9:9: “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey's colt”.
12:10 "Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died.”
13:1: “On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.
14:9: “And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD—his name alone will be worshiped”.
Personal
Application:
By
reading Zechariah and the scripture in 4:6 “It
is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord” I was
reminded about the importance of counting on God and not only trust my own
resources. Many times I have experienced doing this gives the best possibilities to fulfill my goals, but it is also easy to forget this. Therefore I will try to remember and train my selves to be more mindful about relying on the Spirit and not on my own strength and ability.
My point of passion during my DBS is the
Shan-people in Thailand:
I Zechariah 8:5 I
read “And the streets of the city will be
filled with boys and girls at play”.
Even if this is a prophesy of the new/heavenly Jerusalem, Iit inspired me even today to pray about safety and well-being for all the children among the
Shan-people.
This will also include good surroundings for growing up,
education, food, good homes and a hopefull view of their future.
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