Zechariah 1-3

Zechariah 1

Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה Zekharyah) Meaning: “YHWH remembers”

• Son of Berechiah, grandson of Iddo (a priestly family)
• Likely both prophet + priestly lineage

Ministry begins 520 BC

• Same time as Haggai
• During reign of Darius I
• Temple rebuilding stalled

“Return to me… and I will return to you”

• Post-exilic discouragement
• Past: “The LORD was very angry with your fathers”
• Present: Invitation to return

Former prophets warned and ignored

• Judgment came as promised

Vision 1: Horsemen Among Myrtle Trees

• twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month
• Sees a man on a red horse (the angel of the Lord)
  • Standing among myrtle trees in a valley (low place)
  • Behind him: red, sorrel, and white horses
• They are riders patrol the earth
• Report: “All the earth remains at rest”

Angel of LORD asks: How long will there be no mercy?

• God answers with comforting words

Interpretation

• God is:
  • Jealous for Jerusalem
  • Angry at complacent nations
• Key promise:
  • Temple will be rebuilt
  • Cities will overflow with prosperity

Vision 2: Four Horns & Four Craftsmen

• Four horns: Represent nations that scattered Judah
• Four craftsmen: Raised up to terrify/destroy those horns

Zechariah 2

Vision 3: Man with Measuring Line

Man is measuring Jerusalem

• Suggests rebuilding/restoration

God says

• Jerusalem will:
  • Have no walls
  • Be too full of people
• God Himself:
  • “A wall of fire around her”
  • “Glory in her midst”

Difference between man with measurement in Ezekiel and Zechariah:

Ezekiel 40-48	Zechariah 2
Measures the temple	Measures Jerusalem
Very detailed and exact	Measurement gets interrupted
Focus: order & holiness	Focus: growth & expansion
Strong walls/boundaries	No walls needed
Security from structure	Security from God

“Flee from the land of the north…”

• Exiles still in Babylon called to return
• God will judge nations

“I am coming and I will dwell in your midst”

• Many nations become God’s people

“Be silent, all flesh…”

Zechariah 3

Vision 4: Joshua the High Priest Cleansed

Courtroom scene

• Joshua standing before God
• Satan accusing him
• “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan!”

Joshua in filthy garments

• Symbol of:
  • Sin
  • Defilement

Cleansing

• Filthy clothes removed
• Clean garments and pure turban given
• Walk in God’s ways then your authority restored

“My servant the Branch” – Jesus 

• צֶמַח (tsemaḥ)
• Jeremiah 23:5

The stone

• Seven eyes – perfection
• Could be connected to foundation stone/temple rebuilding
• Isaiah 28:16
• “I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day”

Result: peace & prosperity “Under your vine and fig tree”

Application

Zechariah 1-3 reminds us that God calls us to return to Him. When we do, He is merciful and will restore our iniquities.  Even when we feel overlooked, God sees and cares for His people.