Zechariah 1-6
A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah starts prophesying just a couple of month’s into Haggai’s recorded ministry. Like Haggai, Zechariah encourages Joshua and Zerubbabel to rebuild the Temple, but the form of Zechariah’s prophecy is radically different from Haggai’s — and much more Messianic.
Zechariah’s opening statement is straightforward enough, sounding much like other prophets. The LORD says, “Return to Me, and I will return to you.” (Zech. 1:3) He warns the people not to follow in the footsteps of their forebears but instead to learn the lesson of the Exile and recognize that God means what He says. The people may or may not like that message, but they (and we) should not have much difficulty understanding it.
Then Zechariah changes gears and tells us of eight separate visions that might not seem so straightforward. These visions are worthy of much greater consideration and discussion than we can possibly handle here, with rich symbolism and detail that we simply do not have the space to explore. Even so, we should at least note some highlights.
First, God is clearly not finished with Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel. He is zealous for Jerusalem. He wants His Temple built and will see that it is. He will deal with all the nations that have oppressed and plundered His people. He promises to bless the land. He promises to remove their iniquity. And He promises that they will dwell in security with Him in their midst. (Some of that speaks directly to the immediate locale and time frame, and some looks forward to a future age…)
Zechariah’s visions draw attention to both Joshua (the high priest) and Zerubbabel (the governor/crown prince). Both men are encouraged in their respective roles for their own time, but what is said of them points well beyond them to Someone greater. We learn that this Someone is the LORD’s “Servant, the Branch” (Zech. 3:8), Who will be both Priest and King and Who will accomplish building the LORD’s true Temple:
…Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch: for He shall branch out from His place, and He shall build the temple of the LORD. It is He Who shall build the temple of the LORD and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on His throne. And there shall be a Priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”
Zechariah 6:12-13
(For other uses of the word “Branch” that have long been interpreted as Messianic, see Isaiah 4:2; 11:1 and Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15. Similarly, recall Isaiah’s “Servant Songs”.)
So despite the challenge of interpreting these visions, let’s not miss the clear message of hope — a hope that is rooted firmly in the LORD and in His Servant, the Branch. The LORD is with His people. The LORD is in control. The LORD is accomplishing His purposes. And He calls His people to follow.