Podcast: The Book of Zechariah
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The book of Zechariah falls under Apocalyptic literature and draws heavily from the books of Haggai, Malachi, and Isaiah. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are also a part of Israel’s return from exile.
A basic outline of Zechariah:
Introduction: 1:1-7
Night Visions: 1:8-8:23
Exhortation to Israel: 7-8
Two Oracles: 9:1-11:3, 12-13
Day of the Lord: 14
Zechariah quotes and relies heavily on Isaiah and Micah.
Zechariah 3:10 reads, “In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree”.
This is common language in Isaiah and Micah. There are also a lot of intersecting passages with Revelation in terms of visions and common phrases.
A major theme throughout Zechariah is that God is not done with His people. He encouraged and promised to restore the people who returned from exile. Perhaps to Israel, it seemed like God had forgotten them. The glory of the Temple was not what it once was. The land was barren. Things seemed hopeless.
Yet, God was with His people.
He promised to dwell with them – to Tabernacle with them. In the same way Zechariah points us back to the faithfulness of God, it also reveals the promise of a Savior (Zechariah 12-13). This points us both to Christ and to the Church.
As much as this book is prophetic, it also holds deep devotional meaning for us today. Israel saw the faithfulness of God as they worked to restore the land of Israel and the promise of One coming to make all things right. This reminds us that amid uncertainty and trials, God is trustworthy.
He not only redeems communities for his glory (Israel coming back from exile), but he deals with individuals for His own glory, for the sake of his name. He sent his Son so that we might become children of God. We have been liberated from bondage and are free in Christ.
Brittany Proffitt lives in Dallas, TX, holds a BA in Religion, and is a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is passionate about Scripture and how God’s Word impacts individuals’ hearts and lives.
