MIZORAM BIBLE COLLEGE
A Paper Presentation
On
The book of Zechariah
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the course
To Nicky Vaiphei
Presented by: Kanta Responded by: Abigal
Registration # 80 Registration # 127
,July 2012
Introduction
Zechariah is the largest of the Minor Prophets and contains more Messianic prophecies than any
other prophets except Isaiah. The book is after referred to as the “ Revelation ” of the Old Testament.
Which Both Haggai and Zechariah preached about restoring the present temple after the exile, Zechariah
also prophesized about the future temple to be built in the millennial kingdom by Messiah (the branch)
when the Jews are fully restored.
Zechariah means “Yahweh remembers.” He is from a priestly family and he himself was priest.
Zechariah began his ministry two months after Haggai, the temple was still inbuilt. The wall of Jerusalem
was broken. The people were exposed to hostility from their neighbors, there was no sign of the predicted
prosperity. Israel and Judah were still under foreign yoke. It is in this condition the prophet began his
ministry. So Zechariah’s encouragement of the people are not only to built the temple but also tried to
change the spiritual condition of the people, for repent and obey in God. Therefore we know that God
request to return to Him from their trouble and worry ways with the heart of repentance. And also His
promise never ceased nor failed without fulfilled.
I. Background
The book is name after its author, and the title means “ the Lord remembers .” 1 Zechariah
prophetic ministry took place in the Palestine captivity. His prophecy began two months after Haggai
preached his message. The opening verse identifies the prophet Zechariah son of Berkiah and grandson
of Iddo and also Nehemiah further state that Zechariah was the head of priestly family of Iddo ( Neh.
12:16 ), even he was serving as both a priest and a prophet in Jerusalem after the exile. So Zechariah and
Haggai were contemporary, the same background and history applied to each other. The work on the
temple that had ceased approximately sixteen years earlier needed to be stated again. God shows the
urgent enough two men in a special way to inspire people to become occupied in the task. He spoke to
Haggai in the sixth months and two months later to Zechariah.
II. Author and Date
The author of this book is Zechariah, Son of Berkiah ( Zech 1:1 ). “Zechariah had close
relationship with Haggai.”2 When he was young he prophesized with Haggai in 520 – 518 BC (Zech 2:4).
But it appeared that he was old why he wrote Zechariah 9 – 14 about 480 – 470 BC.
III. Recipient
The recipient of the book of Zechariah was the Jewish people those who lived in the Jerusalem,
which was located in the Southern Part of Israel.
IV. Place of writing
1
The Holy Bible: New International Version( Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989), 1073.
2
John Wesley Adams, Roger D. Cotton and Quentin McGhee, Survey of the Old Testament:
Student Manual, edited by Quentin McGhee ( Springfield: RDM, 2008), 228.
1
At the time of his prophetic ministry and writing, Zechariah was clearly back in the Palestine and
his ministry to the returned exiles (Zech 4:8 – 10; 6:10, 14; 7:2 – 3, 9; Neh 12:1, 12, 16).
V. Theme
The Theme of the book of Zechariah is “the day of the Lord.”
VI. Purpose
The chief purpose of Zechariah was to rebuke the people and to motivate and encourage them to
complete the rebuilding of the temple (Zech 4:8 – 10; Hag 1 -2), though Zechariah was clearly interested
in spiritual renewal as well. Also the purpose of the eight night vision is explained in Zechariah 1:3, 5, 6.
VII. Occasion
The occasion is the same as that of the book of Haggai. Approximately fifty thousand former
exiles had arrived in Jerusalem and the nearly towns in 538 – 537 BC, with high hope of resting the land
and rebuilding the temple ( Ezr 2).“ They completed the foundation amid great rejoicing.” 3 They resumed
worship and restored the scripture ritual that had been suspended during seventy years of exile in
Babylonia. The people were laid the foundation of the temple in the second month of the second year
(536 BC) of their return (Ezr 38:13). But their favor and activity soon met with opposition in the various
forms (Ezr 4:1 – 5:4; 1:6 – 11). So reconstruction of the temple ground to halt and did not begin a gain
till 520 BC (Ezr 4:24).
VIII. Central Message
It is through the spirit of God who accomplished His purpose and plan in the world and in our
personal life. Zechariah interested in their spiritual renewal and make new.“ He was concerned about the
rebuilding of the temple, and in his message he warned the people to listen to the message of God trough
the prophet.”4
IX. Main Teachings
God will return to us when we return to Him.
God will fulfill His promises of the restoration to the Jews through His branch, Messiah.
Satan accused the believers’ sin before God.
Olive oil symbolized the Holy Spirit.
God’s purposes and plans are accomplished by his spirit not by the might nor power of Men.
Religious ritual without righteous living is unacceptable to God.
Because things same impossible to us does not mean they are too difficult for God.
Messiah would come on colt, the fool of the donkey.
God will restore the fortune of Israel and Judah and rebuild the temple in the Millennial
kingdom.
Christ would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.
God will fight for Judah in the last days.
Israel would be purified in the great tribulation and 1/3 rd saved.
In His first advent Christ would be rejected and pierced. 5
X. Reflection
Zechariah wrote chapters 1-8 to encourage the Jews to rebuild and complete the temple. Because
He wanted Israel to restore in the right position, as God’s people and chosen people. Therefore, If we
return back to God from our sinful natures and bad habits that we have in our inner heart, He will forgive
our sin and restore our land. So, we must return to the Lord our maker with repentance. Then God will
turn His face to us. Therefore, as we are Christian in this presences, the book of Zechariah gives us lots
3
Frank E. Gaibelein, Expositor’s Bible Commentary ( Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985), 598.
4
The lecture note on the Old Testament Survey, prepared by Nicky (Aizawl: MBC, 2012), 304.
5
Ibid., The lecture note on Old Testament Survey, prepared by Nicky, 305.
2
encouragement in order to give to the others also through us, as he gave word to the Israelites to complete
their rebuilding the temple.
In the second chapters 9 – 14, the Jews who had built the temple where they were discourage
because Messiah had not yet come. So Zechariah wrote about the coming of Messiah. Zechariah 9 – 11
show that Jesus will come to on a donkey to make peace. He will return on a white horse (Rev 19).
Therefore we must not have doubt about the second coming of Christ Jesus instead of that let us make
sure the word of God is certain. So for those who are waiting for the second coming of Jesus will surely
be with the Lord Jesus Christ.
When Zechariah was starting his prophetic ministry, God’s message through him begins with a
call for the people to obey, i.e. to repent. God was waiting for them to obey and if Israelites return to the
Lord, He promise to bless and protect them from their enemies. Therefore, in this present age receive the
reflection from the book of Zechariah is that to return to obey and repent to God. So that God will return
to them to be their God. Therefore, through the book of Zechariah 1:7 – 8:23, we know that full
restoration will come through the son of God ( Messiah ).
Conclusion
The book of Zechariah gives us the real picture of rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem
completely and the fulfillment of the first coming which God’s promises of the restoration to the Jews
through the branch, Messiah (Jesus Christ). And also the second coming of Jesus Christ on the earth for
the Judgment between Christians and others (unbelievers). Likewise, in this book shows that God wanted
Israelites to be repent from their sin and to obey in Him, in order to be the light for other nations because
they are the chosen people by God, if Israelites return to the Lord, He will also turn to them. So, this is
the requirement of God to receive from the Israel people in those days. Even our life, if we are far away
from God, we must return to the Lord our maker.
As we know about the second coming of Jesus Christ, no one can say the exact time when He
will come on the earth but every people must be ready at all time with repentance and obey in His word
by faith and deeds before He comes because, the first coming of Christ Jesus was passed and now is the
grace period. we have been waiting for the second coming of Christ Jesus (king of kings) who is going to
come to us for Judgment. Therefore, everyone of us really needs to be ready for His return.
Bibliography
Adams, John Wesley, Roger D. Cotton and Quentin McGhee. Survey of the Old Testament: Student
Manual, edited by Quentin McGhee. Springfield: RDM, 2008.
Frank E. Gaibelien. Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Grand rapids: Zondervans, 1985.
______, The Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989.
______, The lectural note on Old Testament Survey, prepared by Nicky. Aizawl: MBC, 2012.
