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Zechariah Overall

 
Zechariah - I Am Zealous For Zion (1:1-3:10)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Following 70 years of Babylonian exile, Israel was allowed to return
 home...
 a. Precipitated by the decree of Cyrus, they returned to rebuild the
 temple - Ezra 1:1-5
 b. The first group of exiles were led by Zerubbabel - Ezra 2:1-2
 c. While they were quick to build the altar and the foundation of 
 the temple, resistance by adversaries soon resulted in a long
 delay - Ezra 4:1-5
 d. To encourage Zerubbabel and the others, God sent two prophets: 
 Haggai and Zechariah - Ezra 5:1-2; 6:14-15
 
2. Our previous study looked at the book of Haggai; now we begin our 
 study of Zechariah...
 a. Concerning the MAN
 1) His name means "Whom Jehovah Remembers"
 2) At least 27 men bear this name in the Old Testament
 3) Like Ezekiel, he was of priestly descent
 4) He was also called to be a prophet, to stir up the people in
 building the temple
 a. Concerning the MESSAGE
 1) He prophesied around 520-518 B.C. - cf. Zech 1:1,7; 7:1
 2) In view of these dates, his book can be thought of as a sequel
 to Haggai's book
 3) His book is the longest and most obscure of "The Minor 
  Prophets"
 a) Considered by some as the most difficult in the O.T.
 b) Apocalyptic in nature; filled with symbolic visions, like
 Ezekiel and Daniel
 c) Very messianic in nature; comparative to Isaiah
 d) Should certainly be approached with humility
 4) The basic message and theme seems clear enough: I Am Zealous
 For Zion - cf. Zech 1:14
 
[As we read through the book, we must keep in mind that the primary
purpose of Zechariah's preaching was to encourage the people in 
building the temple. This will be especially helpful later on, when we
get into the "visions" of Zechariah. But we notice that the book 
begins with...]
 
I. A CALL TO REPENTANCE
 
 A. ZECHARIAH'S FIRST MESSAGE...
 1. Dated in the 8th month of the second year of Darius (520 B.C.)
 - Zech 1:1
 2. This places his prophecy between Haggai's 2nd and 3rd 
 prophecies - Hag 2:1,10
 3. Comparing this prophecy with Haggai's third suggests that 
 while the temple was being rebuilt, some repentance was still
 necessary - cf. Hag 2:14
 
 B. KEY THOUGHTS IN THIS CALL TO REPENTANCE...
 1. The Lord has been angry with their fathers (e.g., Babylonian
 captivity) - Zech 1:2
 2. The people need to return to the Lord to gain His favor - Zech
 1:3; cf. Ja 4:8
 3. Don't be like their fathers, who ignored the prophets - Zech
 1:4; cf. 2 Chr 36:15-18
 4. Learn from their fathers, who learned things the hard way 
 - Zech 1:5-6
 
[The first message is certainly clear enough, and seems to complement
Haggai's third message. Then three months later, Zechariah had a series
of eight visions that occurred in one night...]
 
II. VISIONS IN THE NIGHT - Part One
 
 A. THE RIDER AND THE HORSES...
 1. Zechariah sees a man riding on a red horse among myrtle trees
 in a hollow, followed by red, sorrel, and white horses - Zech
 1:7-9
 2. The horses are explained as sent by the Lord to walk 
  throughout the earth, who report (or perhaps those on them) 
 that the earth is resting quietly - Zech 1:10-11
 3. The "Angel of the Lord" asks how long will God not show mercy
 on Jerusalem and Judah - Zech 1:12
 4. The Lord responds with comforting words, which Zechariah is 
 told to proclaim - Zech 1:13-17
 a. Words describing the Lord's zeal for Jerusalem and Zion
 b. Words conveying God's anger at the nations 
 5. So while the nations may appear "at ease", their judgment is
 forthcoming and God will show mercy to Jerusalem
 -- The purpose of this vision (and the one to follow) appear to 
 confirm the promise made to Zerubbabel by Haggai - cf. Hag 2:
 20-22
 
 B. THE FOUR HORNS AND FOUR CRAFTSMEN...
 1. Zechariah sees four horns that are identified as that which 
 scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem - Zech 1:18-19
 2. He is then shown four craftsmen, who will cast out the horns
 (nations) that scattered Judah - Zech 1:20-21
 -- This vision appears to confirm the promise made in the first
 vision; both visions designed to comfort the people who were
 building the temple!
 
 C. THE MAN WITH THE MEASURING LINE...
 1. This vision appears to develop further the thought expressed
 in Zech 1:16c
 2. The FIRST PART of the vision indicates that Jerusalem would be
 inhabited to overflowing, and protected by the Lord - Zech 2:
 1-5
 3. The SECOND PART calls for the dispersed Jews to return - Zech 
 2:6-9
 a. To flee from Babylon
 b. For the Lord is against such nations
 4. The THIRD PART proclaims the future joy of Zion and many 
 nations - Zech 2:10-12
  a. Fulfilled in part soon after the completion of the temple?
 b. Fulfilled in part with the coming of the Messiah?
 5. Finally, a call to all to be silent, for God is aroused (i.e.,
 is about to act!) - Zech 2:13
 -- This vision also appears designed to encourage the building of
 the temple!
 
 D. JOSHUA, THE HIGH PRIEST...
 1. In the first part of the vision... - Zech 3:1-5
 a. Joshua, the high priest (cf. Hag 1:1), stands in filthy 
 garments before Satan and "the Angel of the Lord"
 b. Satan is rebuked, while Joshua is forgiven and clothed with
 rich robes, as "the Angel of the Lord" stands by
 2. In the second part of the vision... - Zech 3:6-10
 a. Joshua is admonished by "the Angel of the Lord"
 b. He is given conditions for serving as priest before God
 c. Joshua and his companions (the restored priesthood?) are a
 sign
 1) Of the coming Servant, the "Branch" 
  2) I.e., the coming Messiah - cf. Isa 11:1-2; Mt 2:23
 d. A stone is laid before Joshua
 1) Upon which are seven eyes
 2) Upon which the Lord will engrave its inscription
 e. The Lord promises the removal of iniquity, describing
 prosperity "in that day"
 -- This vision seems designed to encourage the re-establishment 
 of the priestly service in the temple, and it certainly has
 Messianic overtones
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Remember that the context of these visions is the work of Zechariah
 and Haggai, who were sent to stir up the people to complete building
 the temple
 a. Exhorting them through messages calling the people to repentance
 b. Encouraging them by proclaiming the visions the Lord had revealed
 
2. This is not to discount the fact their messages and visions often
 had Messianic connotations...
 a. As so much of what happened in the Old Testament was a type of 
 what was to come
 b. And even these prophecies of Zechariah often appear to have a
 double fulfillment
 1) A fulfillment pertaining to the people of that day
 2) A fulfillment that was realized with the coming of the 
 Messiah, Jesus! - cf. Zech 3:8b
 
3. But we must be careful in seeking to understand these visions...
 a. Unless we have an inspired interpretation provided for us in the
 New Testament...
 b. We should use caution and humility in interpreting them outside
 of their context
 
We shall resume our study of Zechariah in the next lesson, in which we
will consider the remaining four of eight visions seen in one night...

－－《Executable Outlines》

 
Zechariah - I Am Zealous For Zion (4:1-6:15)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Our previous study introduced us to the book of Zechariah...
 a. A prophet of God who worked together with Haggai
 b. Whose work focused mainly on the rebuilding of the temple - Ezra
 5:1-2; 6:14-15
 
2. The book starts out in typical fashion with a call to repentance
 (Zech 1:1-6), but then we find eight visions that occurred in one
 night...
 a. We briefly considered the first four in the previous study
 1) The rider and the horses - Zech 1:7-17
 2) The four horns and four craftsmen - Zech 1:18-21
 3) The man with the measuring line - Zech 2:1-13
 4) Joshua the high priest - Zech 3:1-10
 b. These visions were designed to motivate the people in completing
 the temple
 1) As God related His zeal for Jerusalem and His house - e.g.,
 Zech 1:14,16,21; 2:4
 2) As God reassured Joshua the high priest of his role - e.g.,
 Zech 3:6-7
 3) As God revealed even greater things to come pertaining to His
 Servant (the Messiah) - e.g., Zech 3:8-10
 
3. In this study, we shall examine...
 a. The remaining four visions - Zech 4:1-6:8
 b. The command to crown Joshua the high priest - Zech 6:9-15
 
[From Zech 4:1, it appears that Zechariah had fallen into a deep sleep
after the first four visions. Awakened by the angel, he is shown four 
more...]
 
I. VISIONS IN THE NIGHT - Part Two
 
 A. THE GOLD LAMPSTAND AND TWO OLIVE TREES...
 1. Awakened from a deep sleep, Zechariah is shown a golden 
 lampstand with seven lamps and seven pipes, with olive trees
 on both sides - Zech 4:1-3
 2. Asking the angel what they represent, he is told...
 a. That it is a message to Zerubbabel (the governor) - Zech
 4:6a
 b. That by God's Spirit, not man's might or power, Zerubbabel
 shall bring forth the capstone (finishing stone) of the 
 temple - Zech 4:6b-7
 c. Thus Zerubbabel will finish the temple - Zech 4:8-9
 d. For the eyes of the Lord (represented by the seven lamps)
 which scan the whole earth, rejoice to see the plumb line
 in the hand of Zerubbabel - Zech 4:10
 e. And that the olive trees represent "two anointed ones" 
 (Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor?) who 
 stand beside the Lord - Zech 4:11-14
 -- With such encouragement, who can "despise the day of small 
 things?" (as the temple looked when its foundation was first 
 laid - cf. Ezra 3:11-12; Hag 2:2-3)
 
 B. THE FLYING SCROLL...
 1. Turning and raising his eyes, Zechariah sees a flying scroll,
 twenty cubits long and 10 cubits wide (approx. 30 feet by 15 
 feet) - Zech 5:1-2
 2. The scroll is explained as being the curse going out on the
 whole earth - Zech 5:3-4
  a. According to what is written on one side, every thief will
 be expelled
 b. According to what is written on the other side, every 
 perjurer will be expelled
 c. Thus it will enter and consume the houses of thieves and
 those who swear falsely
 -- Such people were responsible for the downfall of Israel and
 Judah (cf. Hos 4:2-3; Mic 2:2-3); this vision ensures such 
 will be removed from God's people
 
 C. THE WOMAN IN THE BASKET (EPHAH)...
 1. Zechariah is directed to see a large basket, in which sits a
 woman - Zech 5:5-7
 2. As the woman is explained to represent wickedness...
 a. She is thrust down into the basket with a lead cover over
 the top - Zech 5:8
 b. Two women with wings like those of a stork lift the basket
 to take it a house in the land of Shinar (Babylon) - Zech
 5:9-11
 -- This vision symbolizes that wickedness will be removed from 
 the land
 
 D. THE FOUR CHARIOTS...
 1. Zechariah sees four chariots coming between two bronze 
 mountains - Zech 6:1-3
 a. The first chariot had red horses
 b. The second chariot had black horses
 c. The third chariot had white horses
 d. The fourth chariot had dappled horses
 2. He is told what the chariots represent - Zech 6:4-8
 a. They represent the four spirits of heaven
 b. The chariot with the black horses is going to the north 
  country, followed by the chariot with the white horses
 c. The chariot with the dappled horses is going to the south
 country
 d. The chariots go throughout the earth, with those going to
 the north giving rest to God's Spirit in the north country
 3. This final vision appears to correspond with the first (cf.
 Zech 1:7-11)
 a. In the first vision, the four horses report that the earth
 was at peace, while the temple lay uncompleted
  b. Now, it is God's Spirit which is given rest in the north 
 country (Babylon?)
 -- Perhaps this vision reflects that God would be at ease once 
 His purposes concerning Jerusalem (restoration of its temple)
 and Babylon (judgment for its sins) were completed
 
[With these eight visions in one night, Zechariah had a message to 
encourage Zerubbabel and Joshua in their efforts to rebuild the temple.
The message would be reinforced with yet another given to Zechariah...]
 
II. THE COMMAND TO CROWN JOSHUA
 
 A. THE INSTRUCTIONS TO ZECHARIAH...
 1. Take the gift from the captives and make an elaborate crown 
 - Zech 6:9-11a
 2. Set the crown on the head of Joshua the high priest - Zech
 6:11b
  3. Speak the following words to Joshua - Zech 6:12-13
 a. Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH!
 b. From His place He shall branch out
 c. He shall build the temple of the LORD
 d. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and reign on the His
 throne
 e. He shall be a priest on His throne, with the counsel of 
 peace
 4. The elaborate crown to be a memorial in the temple - Zech 6:14
 5. Those from far away will help build the temple - Zech 6:15
 
 B. THE MESSIANIC ELEMENTS OF THIS SYMBOLIC CROWNING...
 1. Certainly this symbolic crowning was intended to encourage
 Joshua and those captives who had returned to build the temple
 2. But Joshua appears to be a type of the coming Messiah., i.e.,
 Jesus
 a. Jesus was called "a Nazarene" (branch) - Mt 2:23; cf. Zech
 3:8
 b. He would "branch out" - cf. Isa 11:1-2; 53:2
 c. He would build the "temple of the Lord" (i.e., His church)
 - Mt 16:18; Ep 2:21-22
 d. He would "rule on His throne" - 1 Co 15:25; Re 1:5; 2:27-28
 e. He would be "a priest on His throne" - He 8:1-2; Re 3:21
 f. He would provide the "counsel of peace" - Ep 2:14-17
 -- And so this symbolic crowning was not only to encourage 
 Joshua, but those who looked forward to the coming of the 
 Messiah, whom Joshua represented!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Through the use of such visions and symbolic representations...
 a. Zechariah succeeded in motivating Joshua, Zerubbabel, and the
 captives who returned with them to rebuild the temple - cf. Ezra
 6:14-15
 b. Zechariah likely increased their anticipation of the future as
 well, as they would wonder about the fulfillment of these visions
 
2. Zechariah's work is not finished, however...
 a. He will provide answers to questions the people had regarding
 certain fasts
 b. He will have more to say about the future of Jerusalem and the
 coming Messiah
 ...which we shall consider in the next couple of lessons
 
Having been reminded in this study of our Lord's role as both king and
priest, perhaps we can close by asking:
 
 Are you submitting to the Kingship of Jesus Christ?
 
 Are you making proper use of His intercession as our High Priest?
 
How you respond to His gospel will answer such questions!

－－《Executable Outlines》

 
Zechariah - I Am Zealous For Zion (7:1-8:23)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Thus far in our survey of the book of Zechariah...
 a. We noticed "A Call To Repentance" - Zech 1:1-6
 b. We surveyed the "Visions In The Night", of which there were eight
 1) The rider and the horses - Zech 1:7-17
 2) The four horns and four craftsmen - Zech 1:18-21
 3) The man with the measuring line - Zech 2:1-13
 4) Joshua the high priest - Zech 3:1-10
 5) The gold lampstand and two olive trees - Zech 4:1-14
 6) The flying scroll - Zech 5:1-4
 7) The woman in a basket - Zech 5:5-11
 8) The four chariots - Zech 6:1-8
 c. We considered "The Command To Crown Joshua" - Zech 6:9-15
 
2. In these different ways God used Zechariah...
 a. To motivate Joshua, Zerubbabel, and the captives who returned 
 with them to rebuild the temple - cf. Ezra 6:14-15
 b. To increase their anticipation of the future as well, as they 
 would wonder about the fulfillment of these visions
 
3. Zechariah's work was not yet finished...
 a. About two years later, as the temple was still in construction, 
 he was asked concerning the observance of certain fasts
 b. This provided the Lord the opportunity to do two things:
 1) To remind the people of what prompted their exile
 2) To once again proclaim His great zeal for Zion (Jerusalem)
 
[An important lesson or two can be gleaned from this section (Zech 7:1-
8:23) that Christians would do well to remember. Also, God's zeal for
Zion as expressed in this section appears to have Messianic
ramifications...]
 
I. THE QUESTION ABOUT THE FIFTH MONTH FAST
 
 A. THE PRIESTS ARE ASKED...
 1. In the fourth year of King Darius (ca. 518 B.C., nearly two 
  years later) - Zech 7:1
 2. When the people send messengers - Zech 7:2
 
 B. THE PEOPLE WISH TO KNOW...
 1. Should they continue to weep and fast in the fifth month? 
 - Zech 7:3
 2. The fifth month was the time of the year the temple was 
 destroyed nearly seventy years before - cf. 2 Ki 25:8,9; Jer
 52:12,13
 
[Perhaps because the temple was being rebuilt, they wanted to know if
they should continue with a fast designed to commemorate the temple's 
destruction. In response, the Lord challenges them to evaluate their 
devotion...]
 
II. THE FAILURE OF THE PEOPLE REVIEWED
 
 A. THEIR FASTS: FOR THE LORD, OR FOR THEMSELVES?
 1. In addition to the fast on the fifth month, there was one on
 the seventh (mourning the murder of Gedaliah - cf. 2 Ki 25:25;
 Jer 41:1-3)
 2. These fasts were developed during their seventy year exile
 3. But the people are challenged to consider whether they had 
 been serving themselves or the Lord in keeping these fasts 
 - Zech 7:4-6
 4. The Lord would have preferred them to obey Him from the 
 beginning - Zech 7:7
 5. Note: Which is better...
 a. To worship God as He first instructed?
 b. Or to develop traditions to bemoan your state after you 
 have disobeyed Him?
 -- Clearly God desired the former
 
 B. THEIR EXILE WAS BECAUSE OF THEIR SINS...
 1. The Lord had asked them to display justice, mercy and 
 compassion - Zech 7:9-10
 2. But the people refused to hear, so God scattered them among
 the nations - Zech 7:11-14
 
[Their fasting, while appearing to express devotion for the loss of the
temple, should never have been necessary. If they had served God to
begin with, there would be no need to fast!
 
As the Lord continues, He explains why their fasts should now be 
occasions for feasting...]
 
III. A TIME FOR FEASTING, NOT FASTING
 
 A. THE LORD'S ZEAL FOR JERUSALEM...
 1. The Lord is zealous for Zion with great zeal - Zech 8:1-2
 2. He will return to Zion, and dwell in Jerusalem - Zech 8:3a
 3. Jerusalem will be called "the City of Truth", "The Mountain of
 the LORD of hosts", and "The Holy Mountain" - Zech 8:3b
 
 B. THE LORD'S FUTURE FOR JERUSALEM...
 1. It will be place of peace for the elderly and young - Zech 8:
 4-6
 2. The Lord will bring His remnant back, and He shall be their
 God - Zech 8:7-8
 3. Those building the temple should take heart, for the Lord
 shall make them a blessing - Zech 8:9-13
 4. Just as God once sought their punishment, now He is determined
 to do good for them - Zech 8:14-15
 
 C. THE LORD'S DESIRE FOR JERUSALEM...
 1. For the people to speak truth, show justice and peace, not
 evil (to do what should have been done before the exile!)
 - Zech 8:16-17
 2. To let the fasts be a time for joy, gladness and cheerful
 feasts - Zech 8:18-19
 a. The fast of the fourth month had commemorated the breaching
 of the walls when Jerusalem was destroyed - 2 Ki 25:3,4;
 Jer 52:6,7
 b. The fast of the fifth month commemorated the destruction of
 the temple
 c. The fast of the seventh month commemorated the murder of
 Gedaliah
 d. The fast of the tenth month commemorated the beginning of
 the siege of Jerusalem - 2 Ki 25:1,2; Jer 39:1; 52:4,5
 -- But now these were to be replaced with feasting!
 
 D. THE LORD'S PROMISE FOR JERUSALEM...
 1. Many nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem
 - Zech 8:20-22
 2. People of every language will seek to know the God of the Jews
 - Zech 8:23
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. How comforting and exciting this must have been to those in 
 Zechariah's day!
 a. It certainly should have encouraged them to continue with 
 rebuilding the temple
 b. It should have encouraged them to look forward to the future
 
2. While there may have been a partial fulfillment to these prophecies
 with the rebuilding of the temple and walls of Jerusalem, it is 
 likely that there are Messianic elements as well...
 a. With fulfillment beginning with the establishment of the church
 in Jerusalem - cf. Isa 2:2-3; Ac 2:1-47; He 12:22
 b. With fulfillment culminating with the ushering in of the "New 
 Jerusalem" in the "new heavens and new earth" following the 
 Lord's second coming - cf. He 11:16; 13:14; 2 Pe 3:10-13; Re 21:
 1-22:5
 
3. Finally, is there a not a lesson to be learned about "self-imposed 
 religion"?
 a. The exiles had begun fasting by their own design
 b. What the Lord preferred was for them to have heeded His Word in
 the beginning!
 c. Jesus taught that man-made traditions lead to vain worship - Mt 
 15:8-9
 d. Paul described the inability of self-imposed religion to deal 
 with the flesh - Co 2:20-23
 
If we desire to truly be citizens in the "New Jerusalem", then let's 
concentrate on doing the will of the Father, not on making up new ways
to worship Him. As Jesus warned:
 
 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom
 of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
  (Mt 7:21)
 
In our acts of devotion, are we doing the Father's will, or things 
devised by men?

－－《Executable Outlines》

 
Zechariah - I Am Zealous For Zion (9:1-11:17)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The last six chapters of the book of Zechariah contain two "burdens"
 (i.e., weighty words of judgment)...
 a. The "burden" against Israel's enemies - cf. Zech 9:1-2
 b. The "burden" against Israel herself - Zech 12:1
 
2. There is a sharp contrast between these chapters and the first 
 eight...
 a. Prompting some to suggest they may have been written by a 
 different author
  b. While others (myself included) believe they were written much 
 later in the life of Zechariah
 
3. Though the temple was completed by this time, and Zechariah's 
 initial work a success...
 a. His work as a prophet was not over
 b. Through him the Lord has much to say about the future of Israel,
 with glimpses concerning the coming Messiah (Jesus)
 
[In this lesson, we shall survey the first "burden", which contains
words of judgment against Israel's longtime enemies, while offering 
words of hope to Israel herself...]
 
I. JUDGMENT AGAINST ISRAEL'S ENEMIES
 
 A. AGAINST SYRIA...
 1. Against its leading cities: Damascus, Tyre, Sidon - Zech 9:
 1-2
 2. Despite her strength and wealth, the Lord will bring 
 destruction - Zech 9:3-4
 -- Many commentators point to the conquests of Alexander the 
 Great as the fulfillment of this prophecy (ca. 333 B.C.)
 
 B. AGAINST PHILISTIA...
 1. Her cities (Gaza, Ekron, Ashkelon) will be dismayed - Zech 9:5
  2. Strangers will abide there; those that remain will be for God
 - Zech 9:6-7
 3. In contrast, God will protect His house, or Israel - Zech 9:8
 -- Alexander the Great did not destroy Jerusalem as he made his 
 way through Palestine (cf. Josephus, Antiquities Of The Jews)
 
[Verse 8 might actually belong to what follows. If so, then it begins
what appears to be designed to provide comfort to Israel concerning her
future...]
 
II. ISRAEL'S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
 
 A. HER KING IS COMING...
 1. The promise of the King - Zech 9:9a
 2. The character of the King - Zech 9:9b
 3. The nature of His kingdom - Zech 9:10
 a. A peaceful kingdom
 b. A universal reign
 -- That Jesus fulfilled this passage is taught in the New 
 Testament! - Mt 21:1-7; 28:18; Ep 1:22; 2:14-17
 
 B. GOD WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE...
 1. Her prisoners will be delivered, even from her enemies like
 Greece - Zech 9:11-13
 2. The Lord lead them to victory and glory - Zech 9:14-17
 -- The fulfillment of this passage may be figurative, alluding to
 the spiritual victory we have in Christ (cf. Lk 4:16-21);
 some, however, believe Zechariah is returning to the theme of
 Israel overcoming the Greeks in the time of Alexander
 
 C. ISRAEL WILL BE RESTORED...
 1. The people are encouraged to seek blessings from the Lord, not
 idols - Zech 10:1-2
 2. The Lord will provide proper shepherds - Zech 10:3-5
 a. The old leaders removed
 b. New leaders raised up to lead them to victory
 3. Both Judah and Joseph (Ephraim) will be redeemed and restored
 - Zech 10:6-8
 4. Though sown among the nations, they shall remember and return
 - Zech 10:9-11
 5. Strengthened in the Lord, they shall walk in His name - Zech 
 10:12
 -- While speaking in terms that may have been meaningful to the
 Israelites of that day, this section may also have its 
 fulfillment in the work of Christ through the gospel
 
 D. BUT NOT WITHOUT JUDGMENT...
 1. With great imagery, coming judgment is described - Zech 11:1-3
 a. Coming by way of the north (Lebanon)
 b. In which the shepherds in particular wail for their loss
  2. Zechariah is told to feed a flock destined for slaughter 
 - Zech 11:4-6
 a. Whose owners and shepherds do not pity them
 b. For a time is coming when the Lord would not pity His flock
 3. Zechariah does so, but not for long - Zech 11:7-14
 a. He starts by making two staffs, one called "Beauty", the 
 other "Bonds"
 b. He feeds the flock, but not without opposition from the 
 other shepherds
 c. He gives up on the flock, breaking his staffs
 1) The breaking of "Beauty" symbolizing the breaking of the
 covenant
 2) He is paid 30 pieces of silver, and is told to throw it
 to the potter
 3) Then he breaks "Bonds" which symbolizes the break of the
 brotherhood between Judah and Israel
 4. Zechariah is then told to take the implements of a foolish 
 shepherd - Zech 11:15-17
 a. For the Lord will one day raise up a foolish shepherd
  b. One who will not care for the flock, upon whom judgment 
 will come
 5. What is this chapter about? 
 a. Many see in it the destruction that befell Israel and 
 Jerusalem by the hands of the Romans in A.D. 70
  b. Because Israel's shepherds (leaders) rejected its Good 
 Shepherd for which they paid a paltry 30 pieces of silver
 (cf. Mt 27:1-10), they were rejected by God
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The last six chapters of Zechariah have been described as some of 
 the most difficult in the Bible...
 a. The difficulty lies in discerning the true fulfillment of these
 prophecies
 b. Not only their initial fulfillment, but whether a double 
 fulfillment was intended as well
 -- Even the apostles were unable to fully discern Old Testament 
 prophecy without the Lord's help - cf. Lk 24:44-47
 
2. As with all Old Testament prophecy, I recommend the following...
 a. Where the inspired writers of the NT have provided inspired
 interpretation, we should certainly hold to what they wrote
 b. But on those prophecies of the OT where NT writers have not 
 commented, we should be very cautious:
 1) We can offer our understanding as to what they pertain
 2) But we should abstain from developing doctrines or practices 
 based upon our uninspired interpretations of such prophecy
 
3. Indeed, if the Lord had wanted us to know...
 a. I am persuaded the New Testament would have made it known
 b. Just as it did the "mystery" of the gospel - cf. Ro 16:25-26; 
 Ep 3:3-5
 
Part of that "mystery" that had been hidden so long was contained in 
these very words of Zechariah:
 
 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of 
 Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and
 having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal
 of a donkey. (Zech 9:9)
 
And again...
 
 Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages;
 and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty 
 pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the 
 potter"; that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty
 pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for
 the potter. (Zech 11:12-13)
 
Yes, the mystery concerning One who was coming to be their King. He has
come, but some rejected Him for 30 pieces of silver (cf. Mt 27:1-10)!
 
Have you rejected Jesus from being your King, for what is a paltry sum
in comparison to the blessings He provides? - cf. Ac 2:36-38

－－《Executable Outlines》

 
Zechariah - I Am Zealous For Zion (12:1-14:21)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. With this final lesson on the book of Zechariah, we come to the
 second of two "burdens" which make up the last six chapters...
 a. The first "burden" was against Israel's enemies, though it also
 spoke of Israel's hope for the future - cf. Zech 9:1-2,9-10
 b. This second "burden" is against Israel herself, though it too
 speaks of a glorious future for Jerusalem - cf. Zech 12:1;
 14:8-11
 
2. As previously mentioned, these last chapters are among the most
 difficult in the Bible...
 a. Some look for a literal fulfillment of what is described,
 concluding it has yet to come
 b. Others suggest this section is figurative, and is fulfilled with
 the coming of Christ and His kingdom, the church
 
3. I confess I am challenged by this section of Scripture; what I will
 do in this lesson is:
 a. Briefly survey the main points presented in Zechariah's prophecy
 b. Offer some thoughts as to what this prophecy refers to
 
[As we have seen from the very beginning, the main theme of the book is
"I Am Zealous For Zion" (cf. Zech 1:14). This last section certainly
resounds with that theme as it describes...]
 
I. THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM
 
 A. THE LORD'S CARE FOR JERUSALEM...
 1. Jerusalem is depicted in some future time as under siege by
 the nations - Zech 12:1-9
 2. "In that day" (12:3,4), the Lord will use Jerusalem:
 a. As a "cup of drunkenness" to all the surrounding peoples
 b. As a "very heavy stone" for all peoples
 -- I.e., Jerusalem will be a means by which God judges the 
 nations
 3. "In that day" (12:6,8,9), the Lord will defend Jerusalem, and
 destroy her enemies
 
 B. THE LORD'S CLEANSING FOR JERUSALEM...
 1. Cleansed from her sins - Zech 12:10-13:6
 a. The Lord will pour out on Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and
 supplication
 b. They will look on Him whom they have pierced, and mourn "in
 that day" (12:11) as they did when Josiah died - cf. 2 Chr
 35:20-25
 c. "In that day" (13:1,2,4), the Lord will...
 1) Open a fountain for sin and for uncleanness
 2) Cut off the idols from the land
 3) Cause the prophets and unclean spirit to depart from the
 land, prompting...
 a) Parents to kill their sons who dare to prophesy
 b) Those who prophesy to be ashamed and admit they are
 not prophets
 2. Refined through persecution - Zech 13:7-9
 a. The Shepherd will be struck and His sheep scattered - cf. 
 Mt 26:31-32
 b. But the Lord will use this to refine and test the people of
 God - cf. He 12:3-11
 
 C. THE LORD'S DELIVERANCE FOR JERUSALEM...
 1. "The day of the Lord" is coming when the Lord will gather all
 the nations to battle against Jerusalem - Zech 14:1-3
 a. The city will be taken and rifled, the women ravished
 b. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant
 will not be cut off
 2. But then the Lord go forth and fight against those nations 
 - Zech 14:4-7
  a. He will stand on the Mount of Olives, which will cause a
 great valley
 b. Through the valley the people will flee for safety
 c. "In that day" (14:6) there will be no light until evening
 
 D. THE LORD'S GLORY FOR JERUSALEM...
 1. What is said of Jerusalem "in that day" (14:8,9) - Zech 14:
 8-11
 a. Living waters shall flow from Jerusalem both east and west,
 summer and winter
 b. The Lord will be King over all the earth
 c. The land from Geba (6 mi. NE of Jerusalem) to Rimmon (35
 mi. SW of Jerusalem) will be turned into a plain, while 
 Jerusalem will be built up and safely inhabited
 2. What is said of Jerusalem's enemies "in that day" (14:13) 
  - Zech 14:12-15
 a. The Lord will strike them with a plague
 b. The Lord will send a great panic among them
 c. Judah will fight for Jerusalem, with the wealth of the
 nations gathered
 d. The plague will afflict even the animals
 3. What is said of Jerusalem "in that day" (14:20,21), continued
 - Zech 14:16-21
 a. Those of the nations which remain will worship the King,
 the LORD of hosts and keep the Feast of Tabernacles
  b. Those who do not will experience drought and the plague
 c. "Holiness to the Lord" will be engraved on the bells of the
 horses - cf. Exo 28:36-38
 d. The pots in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the
  LORD of Hosts
 e. There shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the
 LORD of hosts
 
[Can you see why it has been said that these last six chapters are 
among the most difficult in the Bible? What is this talking about? 
Has it been fulfilled?]
 
II. SOME PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS
 
 A. THIS SECTION NATURALLY RAISES QUESTIONS...
 1. Are we to expect a literal or figurative fulfillment?
 2. Was it fulfilled at the beginning of the Messianic period?
 (His first coming)
 3. Or is it to be fulfilled toward the end of the Messianic 
 period? (His second coming)
 
 B. SOME THOUGHTS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION...
 1. As mentioned previously, I recommend the following regarding 
 OT prophecy:
  a. Where the inspired writers of the NT have provided inspired
 interpretation, we should certainly hold to what they wrote
 b. But with prophecies of the OT where NT writers have not
 commented, we should be very cautious
  1) We can offer our understanding as to what they pertain
 2) But we should abstain from developing doctrines or 
 practices based upon our uninspired interpretations of 
 such prophecies
 3) Indeed, many false doctrines and cults are based upon
 speculative interpretations of OT prophecies
 2. Those who believe in a literal fulfillment say it is yet to be
 fulfilled
 a. The pre-millenialist, for example, believes this section 
 pertains to events surrounding literal Jerusalem just prior
 to the coming of Christ
 b. But what little is quoted by Jesus and NT writers is 
 applied to His first coming
 1) Compare Zech 13:7 with Mt 26:31-32; Mk 14:27
 2) Compare Zech 12:10 with Jn 19:37
 3. I believe this section is intended to be understood 
 figuratively
 a. For that is how inspired men in the NT often explained OT
 prophecy; e.g....
 1) Notice how James applied Amos 9:11-12
 2) He applied the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David to
 the establishment of the church - cf. Ac 15:14-17
 b. If so, then Jerusalem throughout this section should be 
 understood as the church
 1) As seen in He 12:22-24
 2) That the Lord is illustrating how His care, cleansing,
 deliverance and glory for His people would continue
 3) But it is written in terms meaningful to the people of
 Zechariah's day
 4. I am not closed to the idea that there may be futuristic 
 elements of this prophecy
 a. For Peter indicates that some of Isaiah's prophecies were
 yet to be fulfilled - cf. 2 Pe 3:13-14 with Isa 65:17-19;
 66:22
 b. But if there are, I would tend to view Zechariah's prophecy
 in the same time frame as Re 20:7-22:25
 1) I.e., a depiction of the church in its last tribulation
 and ultimate glory
 2) In which both Zechariah and John describe it in terms
 particularly meaningful to the people of their day
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. While the book of Zechariah may continue to challenge us, its main
 purpose is evident...
 a. Zechariah was sent to encourage the people of God
 b. This he did, through visions, teachings, and prophecies
 c. His theme throughout is the same: "I Am Zealous For Zion"
 
2. As Christians in the church of our Lord...
 a. We have come to "Mt Zion and to the City of living God, the
 heavenly Jerusalem" - He 12:22
 b. We can rest assured that regarding His church today the Lord is
 still "zealous for Zion"!
 
In light of the wonderful truth expressed by Paul...
 
 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but
 fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of
 God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and
 prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in
 whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a
 holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built
 together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ep 2:19-22)
 
...may we be diligent in building the "temple" (church) of the Lord 
today!

－－《Executable Outlines》