The
Minor Prophets Bible Study X: Zechariah
May 3, 2012
BMC- Zechariah
Opening Question: Whom might we consider to be modern visionaries?
Background
Call:
No true call; see 1:1 for the word of the
Lord
When:
Oct/Nov 520 BCE-518BCE for 1st Zech. (HCSB 1412).Proto-Zechariah
(1-8) in 522 BCE or 520. See 1:1; Second
Zechariah Various times as late as the 4th Cent. BCE (Harris 188).
Where:
Jerusalem (Achtemeier 111)
To Whom: Zechariah’s
ancestors 1:2-3
Characteristics: (What do you notice about the style of
the book)
-
Narrative
-
Visions (Like Daniel & Revelation)
-
Sermons
-
Oracles
Relationship with Kings & Others:
-
Darius
-
Zerubbabel
-
Nehemiah 12:4 identifies Iddo as a priest in the line
of Levi and 12:16 names Zechariah as the head of that house
-
Or from Isaiah 8:1-4 with a minor variant in name
Important Events:
-
Exiles return to rebuild Jerusalem in 522BCE
-
Temple Building had already begun
Outline: (Sweeney
pg. 204)
I.
Introduction of
the Book: YHWH’s initial word to Zechariah (1:1-6)
II.
Narrative
presentation of YHWH’s later words to Zechariah: visions and oracles (1:7-14:21)
a. Visions (1:7-6:15)
i.
Divine horses:
YHWH’s anger against nations and plan to restore Jerusalem and Temple (1:7-17)
ii.
Four horns:
restoration of Temple altar; scattering of Israel and punishment of nations
(2:1-4)
iii.
City with walls
of fire: restoration of Jerusalem (2:5-17)
iv.
Ordination of
Joshua ben Jehozadak (3:1-10)
v.
Menorah and two
olive shoots: Zerubbabel and foundation stone (4:1-14)
vi.
Flying scroll:
justice for land from Temple (5:1-4)
vii.
Woman in ephah
basket: iniquity sent to Shinar/Babylon (5:5-11)
viii.
Four chariots
proclaim crowning of Joshua ben Jehozadak (6:1-15)
b. Oracles (7:1-14:21)
i.
Question
concerning continued mourning for the temple (7:1-7)
ii.
Answer: YHWH
wants rejoicing and righteous action for restoration of Temple (7:8-14:21)
1. Call for righteous action (7:8-14)
2. Summation of former prophets: call for righteous
action (8:1-17)
3. Zechariah’s report of YHWH’s oracles concerning
restoration of Zion as holy center for the world (8:18-14:21)
Observations
by Chapter: (Note observations
make or questions you have as you read the book.)
Zechariah 1: Oct/Nov 520BCE, Reference to former prophets, Feb. 15th
519BCE, Contrast horses to Rev. 6, 70 years of anger with the people, Other
nations went too far with their punishment of Judah, Plans for rebuilding, Four
Horns contrast with seven trumpets of Rev. 8
Zechariah 2: Measuring line contrasts with Amos Plumb line
of 7:7-9, God will restore Jerusalem and punish those who have acted against
it, the Lord is springing into action. (Acts 2:5-12 with Zech. 2:11)
Zechariah 3: The Lord defends Joshua from the accusations
of Satan and removes his filthy clothes, God instructs Joshua to follow his
teachings, symbols of good things to come, the branch to come (Jesus?, shoot of
Jesse), Verse 10 on peace (Zech 3:10 with Micah 4:4)
Zechariah 4: Lamp Stand (contrast to Rev. 1:12), God will
make a clear path for rebuilding the temple, Plumb line, olive trees are two
anointed ones who assist the Lord of all the earth
Zechariah 5: Flying scroll (contrast Rev 5) which carries a
curse, basket for measuring sins
Zechariah 6: Four chariots and horses to do God’s work,
make a crown to put on the head of Joshua the high priest, He is the branch and
symbolizes perfect harmony between priest and King (Jesus is that as well)
Zechariah 7: Dec 7, 518 BCE, Should they continue to fast
on the anniversary of the temple’s destruction? Who is the fasting really
for? Flash back to sinful ways prior to
exile and instructions of former prophets, (Matt 6:16)
Zechariah 8: God’s passionate love and his return to Zion,
offers words of encouragement, planting seeds of peace and prosperity, God will
not change his mind about restoring Jerusalem, but there are things that they
must do. A move from fasting to celebration, People from many nations will seek
the Lord’s blessings
Zechariah 9:
Message against Aram, God will protect the temple and not let another
foreign oppressor over take the land, 9:9 humble king riding on a donkey, bloody
battle
Zechariah 10: People are like lost sheep without a shepherd,
people will rejoice in the Lord, the numbers of the people will grow
Zechariah 11: The trees are in trouble, Zechariah
plays the part of a shepherd, two shepherd staves: favor and union, snapped
favor and revoked covenant, broke stave of unity to show break between Israel
and Judah
Zechariah 12: Those who attack Jerusalem will regret it, God
will protect Jerusalem and destroy all those that come against it, 12:10 Jesus?
Zechariah 13: a fountain opened for cleansing,
father and mother will stab child for prophesying in the wrong name, they will
call on God and He will call them his people
Zechariah 14: The day of the Lord is coming, God will fight
for them, No source of light yet continuous day, Flowing river with the Lord
king of the earth, Jerusalem safe at last, plague sent on all nations who were
against Jerusalem, Zombies, Enemies of Jerusalem who survive will worship God, No
more traders in the temple (Jesus over turns the tables)
Themes/Issues:
(Note the major themes and issues
the prophet addresses.)
-
Why Salvation doesn’t seem to be coming (Miller 230)
-
When Temple finished, God returns and Israel
flourishes. Rely on Yahweh and expect
reestablished Davidic line (Harris 187)
-
The kingdom of God is about to dawn and the sanctuary
must therefore be finished (Soggin 333).
-
If you build the temple, God will come to Zion will be
rejuvenated (Miller 231)
-
Promises a reversal of situation (NIB 739).
-
Reinstates that Zion is where God lives (NIB 739)
-
(Haggai more concerned with temple being built)
Zechariah more concerned with community being built (OT Abstracts 6/95 #1040)
& (Gowan 165)
-
On the cusp of a dawning new age
-
Affirms message of former prophets
So What? (Having read the prophet, what do his words have to
teach us today?)
-
Makes God a priority, as we should (NIB 801)
-
Parallels to NT
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