ZECHARIAH

ZECHARIAH 1

ZECHARIAH’S FIRST + SECOND VISION HIGHLIGHT GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

God spoke to the prophet Zechariah, giving him a message for the Israelites returning to Jerusalem from exile in Persia. After almost seventy years of exile, God reveals through Zechariah that significant change is about to take place in Jerusalem.

God instructs Zechariah to confront the current generation of Israelites, urging them to be more attentive to His commands than their ancestors were. Zechariah challenges the Israelites to listen to the prophets, unlike the previous generations who ignored God’s warnings. Although their ancestors and the former prophets have already died, God's truth withstands the test of time.

When confronted with the sinful downfall of their ancestors, the new generation of Israelites repented. After the Israelites return to God in repentance, God redirects His anger towards the nations that scattered Israel and Judah.

Zechariah receives a series of visions, starting with a dream of four horsemen patrolling the Earth, reporting that the world is at rest. This vision symbolizes God's sovereign oversight and His plans to bring judgment on the nations that oppressed Israel.

In Zechariah’s second vision, he sees four horns, symbolizing the nations that have scattered the people of Israel and Judah, most likely referring to Assyria, Babylon, Greece, and Rome. In the vision, four craftsmen or blacksmiths appear to terrify and cast down the nations, most likely symbolizing Persia's role in God’s plan to restore His people.

Many of Zechariah’s visions parallel themes and imagery later found in the book of Revelation, emphasizing God’s ultimate sovereignty, judgment, and restoration of His people.

Zechariah 1:3 - Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.

ZECHARIAH 2

ZECHARIAH’S THIRD VISION TELLS OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN JERUSALEM

In his third vision, Zechariah sees a man using a tool to measure Jerusalem. Angels appear to Zechariah, proclaiming that Jerusalem will be a city without walls, overflowing with people and prosperity. Instead of a physical border, the city will be protected by God’s glory in the form of a wall of fire!

The image of the measuring tool is seen in other visions (Ezekiel, Amos, Revelation) and serves as an image of God’s sovereignty, His attention to detail, and His plans to restore and protect His people. God encourages the remaining exiles to flee from the north and return to Jerusalem, the city where His presence will dwell.

ZECHARIAH 3

ZECHARIAH’S FOURTH VISION POINTS TO THE COMING OF JESUS

In Zechariah’s fourth vision, he sees Joshua (or Jeshua), the high priest, standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan. Joshua is clothed in filthy garments, representing the sin of Israel. The angel of the Lord rebukes Satan’s accusations and orders Joshua’s filthy clothes to be removed, replacing them with pure, clean robes, symbolizing the removal of Israel’s sin.

This vision is similar to the courtroom scene found in Job’s story, where Satan appears as the accuser, questioning the righteousness of God and the faithfulness of His people (Job 1:6-12). Both passages highlight God’s authority over Satan and His power to restore His people.

Joshua is appointed as a leader of the Israelites and of the temple construction. His leadership points to the future promised king, Jesus, whom he refers to as “The Branch.”

ZECHARIAH 4

ZECHARIAH’S FIFTH VISION SHOWS ZERUBBABEL + JESHUA AS ANOINTED LEADERS 

In his next vision, Zechariah dreams of an elaborate lampstand with seven lamps and two olive trees. In the temple, the oil for the lamps must be replaced, but in the vision, the lamps are refilled by the oil of the olive trees.

This dream is interpreted as showing how Jeshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the governor of Israel, are anointed as leaders among the Israelites. These two men, through the help of God’s Spirit, will be responsible for the rebuilding of the temple. Zerubbabel’s leadership in rebuilding the temple is also recorded in Ezra 3–6, where he leads the exiles in laying the temple foundation despite facing opposition.

ZECHARIAH 5

ZECHARIAH SIXTH + SEVENTH VISION SHOW GOD’S REMOVAL OF SIN

In Zechariah’s sixth vision, a massive scroll flies above him. On this scroll is a curse against thieves and liars, declaring that they will be removed and their homes destroyed. This reference to thieves and liars may also symbolize God’s disdain for Satan, who is described as both a thief and a liar (see John 10:10, John 8:44).

In his seventh vision, Zechariah sees a woman named Wickedness being carried off in a basket by stork-like flying women. The basket is taken to Babylon, symbolizing the exile of sin from Jerusalem and reflecting Israel’s past exile. Together, these visions highlight God’s intent to remove sin from His people, bringing newness and restoration.

ZECHARIAH 6

GOD’S PROMISES FOR A FUTURE KING OVER JERUSALEM 

In Zechariah’s eighth and final vision, he sees four chariots, each with a horse of a different color, sent by God to patrol the earth. The horses that go toward the north bring peace to that region, symbolizing peace for Jerusalem. This vision points forward to a time when God will bring eternal peace to His people, and the image of the four horses is revisited in Revelation, where God’s ultimate victory and peace over the earth is foretold (see Revelation 6:1-8).

God then commands Zechariah to fashion a crown of silver and gold for the high priest, who will sit on a throne as he oversees the completion of the temple. This symbolizes a future king who will sit on the throne over the new Jerusalem. Zechariah is told that people from all nations will come to build the temple and acknowledge God’s reign. God assures that if Israel diligently obeys His voice, these promises will come to pass.

ZECHARIAH 7

GOD DESIRES HEART-LEVEL CHANGE FROM THE ISRAELITES 

Now that the exile has ended, the Israelites wonder if their mourning and weeping should come to an end. God speaks to Zechariah, questioning the intentions behind the Israelite’s fasting and mourning. Were they doing it to honor God or to glorify themselves? God wants to be known by the Israelites on a deep, personal level, not through rituals or absent-minded religion.

Zechariah tells the people that instead of fasting, God desires them to show kindness and mercy to one another, care for the oppressed, and remove evil from their hearts. Just like the generations of the past, the Israelites were stubborn and unreceptive, failing to listen to God’s call for true repentance and righteousness.

ZECHARIAH 8

GOD’S PLANS TO BLESS THE CITY OF JERUSALEM

God expresses His jealousy for Jerusalem and reveals His plans to dwell among His people. Despite Israel’s rebellious history, God now calls Jerusalem “the faithful city.” He promises to make the city prosperous and marvelous in His sight. God asks the Israelites to respond to His abundant provision by pursuing justice and peace.

God will gather and restore His people, rebuild the temple through His Spirit, and resume a fruitful harvest among the land. Soon, people from all over the nations will come to Jerusalem seeking the presence of the Lord.

ZECHARIAH 9

GOD WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE THROUGH A FUTURE HUMBLE KING

Through Zechariah, God indicates His plans to humble the proud nations that have opposed Israel, including cities like Damascus, Tyre, and Gaza. These cities are also mentioned in other prophetic books, underlining God’s judgment over them.

God tells of the coming savior, who will bring righteousness and salvation. Foretelling Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem, God describes the future king as humble, riding upon a donkey (see Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and John 12.)

In contrast with the recent kings, God promises that this coming king will graciously rule the earth and speak peace across the nations. Because of God’s covenant with His people, God will send a king that brings hope, restoration, and freedom. Through this future king, God will save His people like a shepherd protects his flock. Highlighting God’s goodness and beauty, God’s saved people will shine like the jewels of His crown! Because of His great love, God views His people as valuable and worth saving.

ZECHARIAH 10

GOD INTERVENES TO COLLECT AND RESTORE JERUSALEM  

Zechariah describes the Israelites as sheep without a shepherd, wandering aimlessly. Through Zechariah, God expresses His anger toward the leaders of Israel and Judah who have misled the people, causing them to go astray.

God promises to intervene directly. He will take care of His flock, strengthening Judah and showing compassion to His people. From the line of Judah, God will establish a cornerstone, a strong tent peg, that establishes Judah as immovable. Matthew 21 and Ephesians 2 refer to Jesus as the cornerstone, showing how God fulfilled this prophecy by providing Jesus as the foundation of God's eternal kingdom.

Although the Israelites were scattered across the nations, God promises to gather them and restore their population. God will put to shame the nations that enslaved the Israelites, specifically the Assyrians and Egyptians.

ZECHARIAH 11

JESUS, THE SHEPHERD DESTINED FOR SLAUGHTER 

Zechariah speaks to Lebanon, warning them that their grand cedar trees will be devoured by fire, symbolizing how the proud and powerful will be humbled.

God tells Zechariah that he will become a shepherd over a flock of sheep doomed for slaughter. During Zechariah’s time as a shepherd, which was either literal or figurative, he became frustrated. Zechariah carried two staffs, one named “Union” and the other named “Favor,” which he broke in half out of anger and protest, symbolizing the broken covenant between God and the Israelites.

Zechariah requests a fair wage but is paid an inadequate sum, thirty pieces of silver. This amount is significant because it points to the disciple, Judas, who is given thirty pieces of silver for his betrayal of Jesus (see Matthew 26). This chapter tells of Jesus, the ultimate shepherd and God’s own Son, who was led to His slaughter for the sin of humanity.

The betrayal and rejection of God’s shepherd reflects a pattern of corrupt leadership—both in Zechariah’s time and in the temple when Jesus flipped the tables (see Matthew 21:12-13), confronting the exploitation and corruption in God’s house.

ZECHARIAH 12

GOD PROTECTS JERUSALEM + PROPHECIES THE CRUCIFIXION 

Zechariah prophesied a future event where Jerusalem would become a place of both conflict and divine intervention. God will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all nations, and anyone who tries to move it will be injured, symbolizing the city's importance and God’s unshakable defense. God will cause chaos and confusion amongst Israel’s opposition. Because of God’s spirit, even the most weak and feeble will have the strength of mighty warriors, equivalent to the strength of David!

God will pour out His Spirit of grace and mercy upon the Israelites, leading them to repentance and deep mourning. Their sorrow will be like mourning for an only child, the one whom they have pierced. While this could have referred to violence against others or self-harm as attempts to appease false gods, it also foreshadows the future crucifixion of Christ, who was pierced for the sins of God’s people (see Matthew 27, John 19).

ZECHARIAH 13

GOD’S REFINEMENT OF JERUSALEM BY REMOVING IDOLS + FALSE PROPHETS 

Continuing his prophecy, Zechariah details a future day where a fountain from Jerusalem will cleanse the people from their sin and impurity.

On that day, false prophets will be ashamed, and idols will be forgotten. Zechariah mentions that no prophet will wear a hairy cloak to deceive, possibly alluding to Jacob’s deception of Isaac in Genesis 27, where he impersonated Esau by wearing a hairy animal skin.

God declares that when the shepherd is struck, the sheep will be scattered. Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 26:31 and Mark 14:27, foretelling that His disciples will scatter after His death.

God promises that those who call upon Him will be refined like silver, and He will personally declare them His people.

ZECHARIAH 14

THE DAY OF GOD’S JUDGMENT + JERUSALEM’S RESTORATION

Zechariah delivers a dramatic vision of the Day of the Lord—a time of God’s judgment on the nations and restoration for Jerusalem.

In this apocalyptic vision, the Mount of Olives, located to the east of Jerusalem, will split in two due to a powerful earthquake. This event will provide an escape for God’s people, ensuring their safety during this time of devastation.

In this future time, God will reign over the newly restored Jerusalem as the one true King. Eventually, Jerusalem will dwell in security and peace, no longer facing destruction.

God will send a plague of drought upon the nations opposing Jerusalem, causing their eyes and mouths to rot with dryness. This plague will cause desperation and hysteria, leading to terror and fighting among themselves. Survivors of the plague from all nations will be required to honor the Hebrew festival known as the Feast of Booths (or Sukkot) and those who fail to do so will face another year of drought.

Zechariah concludes with a powerful image of God’s holiness. On the Day of the Lord, even the common cooking pots and bowls will be consecrated, just like the magnificent chalices used in God’s temple!