The Message of Zechariah
God’s Plan for Israel’s Future
I. REVIEW (A GOD WHO REMEMBERS)
A. God raised up Zechariah and Haggai to encourage the people of Judah in their work of rebuilding the Temple after
the exile to Babylon. The people had started building with great zeal but had given up quickly because of negative
circumstances and the apparent insignificance of what they were doing. The work stopped after two years and didn’t start
again for fourteen years.
B. The Lord raised up Zechariah to re-envision the people. They were burnt out and discouraged. They had forgotten
the significance of what they were doing. They needed fresh vision of God’s affections for them and understanding of why
they were doing this project in the first place. God knew that they would never get the project finished unless they were
doing it out of desire rather than duty.
C. Much of Zechariah’s message focused on encouraging God’s people by reminding them of their “prophetic history”
(God’s plans for Israel’s future or eschatology) and letting them know that God had not forgotten them. Much of this
encouragement was communicated to Zechariah through eight visions that he received over the course of one night in
Feb. 519 B.C.
D. The first vision encouraged the people by reminding them that God has great zeal for Jerusalem and that he has
not forgotten his promises to them. In short, God Remembers! The following seven visions and the crowning prophetic
action outline God’s end-time plan for the nation of Israel.
II. ENEMIES ROUTED (1:18-21)
A. The focus of Zechariah’s second vision is the defeat and overthrow of the Gentile nations who have oppressed
Israel for thousands of years. Scripture is clear that ultimately all nations will oppose Jerusalem and seek her destruction
(Psalm 2:2; 83:2-4; Zechariah 12:3; 14:2). There is a day when the wickedness of humanity will reach its fullness under
the leadership of the Antichrist. In that day, Jesus will return to deliver the nation of Israel, defeat his enemies and
establish his kingdom on the earth from Jerusalem. (Psalm 2:6-8; Zechariah 14:3-5; 9)
B. Zechariah sees four horns and four craftsmen. Typically, in scripture a horn represented human strength and was
often used to represent the ruling powers of the world (specifically nations that opposed God) (Psalm 75:4-5,10; Jeremiah
48:23; Daniel 8:20-21; Revelation 17:12). Zechariah is told that these four horns are political powers responsible for the
scattering of Israel.
C. Commentators have suggested the four horns in Zechariah represent the four empires discussed by the book of
Daniel (Daniel 2:31-44; Daniel 7:3-7) (commonly believed to be Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome). However, in contrast
to Daniel, Zechariah is given no specific characteristics of the horns to identify what they represent. It is impossible to
know for certain whether or not the four horns represent four specific Gentile powers.
D. A strong possibility is that they represent the fullness of Gentile power, which has been used to oppress and
scatter Israel throughout her history (this would include but is not limited to the four specific empires of Daniel 2 and 7).
The number four is often used in scripture to indicate fullness (e.g. The four winds of heaven; the four corners of the
earth (Isaiah 11:12; Daniel 7:2; Jeremiah 49:36; Ezekiel 1:17; 14:21; 37:9; Zechariah 2:6; Revelation 7:1; 20:8)
E. Zechariah is told that the four “craftsmen” represent the means by which God is going to overthrow (“terrify” and
“cast out”) Israel’s enemies and oppressors. The term “craftsman” was typically used in the Old Testament to refer to
those who were engaged in building the Temple and the Tabernacle. It was sometimes translated as mason, carpenter
or artisan (1 Chronicles 22:7-16)
…and they hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 24:12)
F. God is declaring that there is a relationship between the people who are building the Temple (House of Prayer)
and the overthrow of God’s enemies (and the breaking in of God’s Kingdom on the earth cf. Daniel 2:44). Zechariah’s
vision encourages the people of Judah by letting them know that what they are building has great significance to the
breaking in of the Kingdom and the release of God’s judgments against his enemies.
G. The Bible shows, in many places, a direct relationship between the House of Prayer reality, the breaking in of
God’s judgments against wickedness and the establishing of His Kingdom on the earth (2 Chronicles 15, 16 (David’s
Tabernacle); 2 Chronicles 20 (Jehoshaphat); Revelation 5:13-6:1; 8:2-6; 15:2-16:1(end time judgments); Revelation
22:17 (return of Jesus). God is restoring the House of Prayer in our day as a pre-emptive strike against the enemies
of God. It will culminate in the return of Jesus to Jerusalem.
III. CITIES REBUILT (2:1-13)
A. The Jews of Zechariah’s day were expecting that God would both overthrow their enemies and that He would rebuild Jerusalem
and restore the Glory of God to His land and people. The third vision speaks of God’s plans to rebuild Jerusalem
and fill it with His Glory to such an extent that other nations will want to join themselves to Israel and become part of God’s
people.
B. Zechariah sees a man who is measuring Jerusalem in preparation for it to be rebuilt. This man is thought by many commentators
to be the same figure as the Angel of the Lord in the first vision.
C. A “measuring line” would be used in the early stages of planning a building project. The message that this man
(the Lord) wants to convey urgently to Zechariah (“run, speak to this young man” v.4) is that he has a definite plan for
rebuilding this city, which he is already working on. The city will be completely rebuilt and restored. It is not a question of
“if” but “when”.
D. God has a plan to completely rebuild and restore Jerusalem, filling it with His Glory (v.5). He will cause the city to
prosper to such an extent (v.4) that the natural city walls will not be able to contain the population. Israel will not need
natural defenses, however, for God’s manifest presence will surround the city as a wall of fire (v.5), protecting the city
from any further attacks of the enemy. Those nations who were formerly Israel’s enemies will become their servants (v.9)
and many nations will seek to be joined to the God of Israel in that day (v.11). God will fulfill His promise that He would
release blessing to the nations through Abraham (Genesis 12:3).
E. This vision encourages Zechariah’s audience that God is still committed to everything he spoke about Jerusalem’s
future through the former prophets (e.g. Isaiah 4:5; 33:20; 44:26; 54:11-17; 60:4-18; 61:4-5; Jeremiah 30:18; 31:38-40;
33:6-9; Ezekiel 40-48 and many others). While he is committed to blessing Jerusalem in the future, he is also committed
to punishing the nations that have effectively poked him in the eye by the harsh way they have treated Israel (v.8-9). In
light of this certain future, God’s people are exhorted to return to Jerusalem from cities, which have been marked for God’s judgment
and give themselves to God’s plan and purpose.
IV. PEOPLE REDEEMED (3:1-10)
A. The fourth and fifth visions were addressed to the two main leaders of Judah: Joshua, the High Priest and
Zerubbabel the Governor, respectively. They address the issue of how God is going to prepare his people, Israel, to
inherit the future promises of the previous vision. They deal with God’s plan to cleanse her from all sin and restore her
to her function as a kingdom of priests – God’s witnesses to the earth.
B. In the fourth vision, Joshua (as a representative of the entire nation of Israel cf. Zechariah 3:8-9; Hebrews 9:7)
stands before the Lord (v.1) (posture of repentance) dressed in filthy garments (v.3) (representative of Israel’s sin and
rebellion against God). Satan is standing there to accuse him before God (v.1 cf. Job 1:6-12; Revelation 12:10). He wants
to convince God that, because of sin, Joshua is disqualified from fulfilling his priestly calling and should be cast from His
presence.
C. The Lord rebukes Satan. Joshua was on the way to destruction but the Lord has rescued him like a twig is rescued
from a blazing fire – because of his choice of Jerusalem and the promises he has made to them (v.2). He sees the “yes” in
the heart of Joshua (repentance produced through tribulation cf. Zechariah 13:9; Jeremiah 30:7-11), removes the filthy
garments and clothes Joshua with rich garments (priestly garments representing righteousness) and a clean turban (proof
of Joshua’s acceptance before God cf. Exodus 28:36-38).
D. The Lord promises Joshua great authority and free access to the very counsel of God if he will pursue 100%
obedience in every area of his life (in private and in public ministry) (v.7)
E. Joshua is told that this vision is a symbol or sign of what God promises he will do for the entire nation of Israel in
the days to come (v.8-10). He is bringing forth the “Branch” (Messiah) through whom Israel will be completely redeemed
(“in one day”(v.9)) when they cry out to the Lord in repentance for their sin (cf. Zechariah 12:10-13:2; Isaiah 59:20; Isaiah
60:21; 61:3-11; 33:8; 50:20 etc.). He will restore their authority as a kingdom of priests and give them leadership over the
nations after the return of Jesus.
V. MINISTRY RESTORED (4:1-14)
A. The fifth vision is addressed to Zerubbabel, the governor. He was battling primarily, not with spiritual issues, but
with the natural obstacles that faced the people in Judah as they sought to rebuild the temple. They seemed like a
mountain that could not be moved. It seemed that Israel would never be able to take her place again as a light to the
nations. Only a restored kingdom of priests would be able to fulfill Israel’s original call to be a light to the nations and there
could be no kingdom of priests without a Temple. This vision promises that the Temple will be completed and that God
will, ultimately, restore Israel’s function as a light to the world.
B. Zechariah saw a blazing lampstand, which was fuelled by raw olive oil contained in a bowl situated on top of the
lampstand. The oil was being supplied to the lampstand directly from two olive trees (one at either side of the lampstand).
In the temple the lampstand symbolized Israel’s calling to be God’s witness nation to the earth. As a kingdom of priests
they were called to both minister to the Lord on behalf of the nations and to the nations on behalf of the Lord.
C. God declares that despite every obstacle, he is going to restore Israel’s ministry to the nations as he promised two
hundred years earlier through Isaiah.
1 For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness
goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. 2The Gentiles shall see your
righteousness, and all kings your glory. (Isaiah 62:1-2)
D. God promises that salvation, deliverance and righteousness will go forth to the ends of the earth from the perfected
nation of priests (Isaiah 61:11-62:3). The goal of the entire Godhead is to bring forth bright righteousness from Jerusalem
that will result in the earth being filled with God’s glory.
E. The fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Israel will be a work of the Spirit of God, not dependent on man’s
ability or faithfulness, but absolutely dependent on God’s faithfulness and ability. This will result in the glory being God’s
alone!
VI. UNRIGHTEOUSNESS RECKONED WITH (5:1-4)
A. If the fourth and fifth vision deal with the future glory of those in Israel who repent and return to the Lord, the sixth,
seventh and eighth deal with the consequences of those who persist in rebellion against the Lord
B. In the sixth vision, Zechariah sees a flying scroll, going out over the land of Israel. It represents God’s judgment of
unrighteousness among His people. In scripture, scrolls often represent God’s judgments. The opening of a scroll seems
to represent the execution of those judgments (Ezekiel 2:9-10; Revelation 5:1; Daniel 12:9; Revelation 5:7; 6:1,2)
C. The unique dimensions of the scroll seem to represent God’s standard of righteousness and holiness both in
ministry to Him and in ministering to others. The scroll is the same size as both the Holy Place in the Tabernacle of Moses
(where the priests ministered to the Lord) and the porch in Solomon’s Temple (where the priests ministered to the people).
The two commands on the scroll are representative of the entire Law (first and second commandments).
D. Before Israel, as a nation, can inherit the promises of glory, she is going to be refined by the Lord himself
(Zechariah 13:8-9; Malachi 3:2-7). There are great blessings for those who return to the Lord and embrace the
righteousness of Christ (cf. Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:26-29), but God will swiftly judge those who persist in
unrighteousness by His revealed standard of righteousness.
E. The judgment will remain or “lodge” in the sinner’s house. God’s judgment is permanent; it cannot be revoked.
The consequence for those who continue in sin is the same as that people who had leprosy in Bible times (their houses
will be completely destroyed (Leviticus 14:44-45))
VII. WICKEDNESS REMOVED (5:5-11)
A. God is not only going to judge unrighteousness, He is going to remove wickedness from the land of Israel
completely. Zechariah’s seventh vision shows us what wickedness looks like and shows us where it will grow to fullness.
B. The Measuring Basket (or Ephah) and the Talent were the largest units of weight and measurement in Zechariah’s
day. They would be commonly used in trade and commerce. The woman in the basket is thought by some commentators
to be a female idol since it would be difficult for a woman to fit inside a five-gallon basket.
C. Zechariah is being shown the form that unrighteousness takes in his day. I believe that the basket and talent
represent the love of money (greed), which was prevalent in Zechariah’s day because of the increase of trade after the
exile. Both Jesus and Paul warned of the danger of the love of money, which is no more than a form of idolatry (wickedness).
13"No servant can serve two masters; you cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:13)
9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts
which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which
some have strayed from the faith in their greediness (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
D. God is going to remove all wickedness from the land of Israel while (at the same time) it is going to grow to fullness
in a place called Shinar (Babylon) where a “house” (religious system) will be built for it (Zechariah 5:9-11; cf. Revelation
17, 18). The people of God are exhorted to have nothing to do with Babylon, which will be destroyed because of the
fullness of wickedness that is within her.
Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have
reached to heaven and God has remembered her iniquities. (Rev.18:4-5)
VIII. GOD’S SPIRIT WILL REST (6:1-8)
A. The final vision depicts God’s war chariots going out from God’s dwelling place (v.5) to destroy Israel’s enemies.
They are described as patrolling throughout the earth, but those who go towards the North and South are specifically
noted. God’s judgments are going to be released against wickedness throughout the earth, but particularly against Israel’s
historical enemies who had invaded Israel from the North and the South (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome).
B. The horses that go to the North Country are described as giving God’s Spirit rest. God’s judgment against the
“Land of the North” or Babylon will signal the end of God’s work in judgment against wickedness as the most wicked of
cities is finally destroyed and the beginning of his Millennial “rest”. Nothing more remains to be done before Jesus can
begin His program of world restoration.
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of
heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!”…And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her
the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. (Revelation 16:17-19)
IX. A PRIEST WILL RULE (6:1-15)
The series of visions is crowned by a prophetic action carried out by Zechariah the following morning. He is told to crown
Joshua the High Priest with a royal crown as a sign that God is going to restore the earth under the a King whose authority
flows from the fact that he is a priest. He will rebuild the Temple, and it is under His rule that the Jerusalem will prosper.
From Jerusalem, his rule will fill the earth.
7Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and
over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7)