Zechariah
God Expects His People to be Truthful
These verses point out the Lord’s part in bringing truth and blessing to the people. In the past He had been determined to bring disaster on them but now He is determined to bless them. He says, “I will certainly bless you and don’t think that I will change my mind. I did wh …
Repent Now
Zechariah began his book with a short speech telling the people to repent (vv. 1-3). This means ‘to be sorry. There is an old saying that he who will not learn from history is doomed to repeat it. Zechariah starts off with a solemn warning to the people to not repeat the …
The Chief Priest
In the fourth vision Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before God. Joshua’s filthy garments are exchanged for clean robes; Satan’s accusations against him are rejected by God. This vision can be divided as follows: (1) The details of the vision (vv. 1-5); and …
The Man On a Red Horse
In a single night Zechariah saw a series of eight visions which were interpreted by an angel and described the future of the nation Israel. All eight visions occurred on one night and constitutes a unit of revelation. The source of Zechariah’s visions is clearly given in the phra …
The Battle of Armageddon
This passage concerns the return of the Lord to the earth to set up His kingdom (v. 1). The conquerors will divide the spoil in the midst of Jerusalem. Having given the effect, the prophet now gives the cause: “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle (v. 2) …
Israel Transformed in The Day of The Lord
In this chapter the final siege of Jerusalem is described. The fate of Israel is pronounced by the Lord (v.1). He says, I will make Jerusalem and Judah like a cup of poison to all the nearby nations that send their armies to surround Jerusalem (v. 2) Also pictured is the delivera …
The Hammering of the Four Horns
The second vision is divided into two parts: (1) The four horns (vv.18,19); and the four carpenters (vv.20,21) The horns are thought to be the four world powers, spoken of by Daniel, that oppressed Israel which were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. The horn is often spoken …
National Cleansing For Israel
“That day” (v. 1) refers to the future day of the Lord (14:1). “The house of David (political leaders) and the inhabitants of Jerusalem” include all the people of the land who need cleansing. The terms “sin” and “uncleanness” can refer sp …
Strengthening in The Lord of Victory
In this chapter Israel’s redemption and regathering are pictured. They are reminded that it is the Lord who they should ask, and He will supply the rain in response to their prayers (v. 1). “Latter rain” refers to the necessary rain just before the time of harvest which …
Thirty Pieces of Silver
I said to them, ‘You may think that I should have some money for my work. If you do think that, pay me my money. If you do not want to pay me, keep it.’ So they paid me 30 silver coins (v. 12). To pay this shepherd 30 pieces of silver was an insult. This was the price paid …