Zechariah

Zechariah

We have already seen the connection of this prophet with Haggai. He was probably a priest as well as a prophet. (See Nehemiah 12:16) His first prophecy occurred just after the time of discouragement, when the people had begun to rebuild the Temple, and he warns them not to disappoint God, as their fathers had done. He has a special word of encouragement to the ruler Zerubbabel, who must have been conscious of his own weakness, and that it was indeed a “day of small things.” “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6-10). He promised that the mountains of difficulty should be removed, and that he who had laid the foundation should have the joy of bringing forth the headstone with rejoicing, crying, “Grace, grace,” unto it.

Christ is both the Foundation-stone and the Headstone of the corner.

Eight Visions. Zechariah’s second prophecy consists of eight visions concerning God’s final dealings with Israel. First, of Myrtle Trees, a picture of Israel today, outcast but never 218forgotten by Jehovah. Second, of Horns and Smiths, foretelling the overthrow of Israel’s enemies. Third, of the Measuring Line. This shows the future prosperity of Jerusalem. The presence of Jehovah as a wall of fire round about His people will make walls unnecessary, the extent of the city will make them impossible. Fourth, of Joshua, a picture of Israel cleansed and restored to the priestly position of access to God. Fifth, of the Candlestick, or, as it should be, lamp-stand, Israel as God’s light-bearer. The two olive-trees in this vision refer in the first place to Zerubbabel the ruler and Joshua the priest, and thus through them to both offices fulfilled in the person o£ the Messiah. Sixth, the Flying Roll, government of the earth. Seventh, the Ephah, restriction of wickedness. Eighth, the Chariots, the administrative forces of righteousness (Dr. Campbell Morgan, Westminster Record for September, 1907).

Then follows the symbolic act of crowning the High Priest (Zechariah 6:9-11). By this act the two great offices of priest and king are united in his person, type of the person and work of the Man whose name is the Branch (Zechariah 6:12; Zechariah 3:8), who shall sit on His throne of glory as a Priest, the Builder of the eternal Temple of the Lord, and “bear the glory.”

“Thy king cometh unto Thee.” More than any other of the Minor Prophets, Zechariah foretells the Savior. Twice He is announced as the Branch; God speaks of Him as My Servant (Zechariah 3:8). We have the prediction of His entry into Jerusalem, riding upon an ass’s colt (Zechariah 9:9). In contrast to the false shepherds we see Him as the Good Shepherd, saving His flock, caring for the poor of the flock (Zechariah 9:16; Zechariah 11:11). We see Him as the Smitten Shepherd, with the sheep scattered (Zechariah 13:7). In the words “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the Man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts,” we have a specially clear revelation of Christ, both in His Divine and human nature; the Man, the smitten Shepherd, is spoken of by God as His fellow, on an equality with Him and yet distinct in His personality.

Zechariah speaks of “the blood of the Covenant” (Zechariah 9:11), which our Lord applied to His own blood. “This is My blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many unto remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28, r.v.). We have the prophecy of His betrayal by Judas for thirty pieces of silver, even to the fact that the money was “cast to the potter in the house of the Lord” (Zechariah 11:12-13).219

Zechariah prophesies the conversion of his people to the Lord in the day that the Spirit is poured out upon them, and when they shall look on Him whom they have pierced, and the sin of the nation shall be washed away through that fountain opened through their Messiah’s death on Calvary (Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 13:1). He speaks of the wounds with which He was wounded in the house of His friends (Zechariah 13:6). The third part of the remnant shall be brought through the fire and purified in the time of Jacob’s trouble (Zechariah 13:9). The last chapter foretells the Great Day of the Lord, which is always associated with the coming of Christ to judgment. He who ascended from the slopes of Olivet shall so come in like manner as those who watched Him saw Him go. “And His feet shall stand upon the mount of Olives… and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee…. It shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord… at evening time it shall be light…. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be One Lord, and His name One.”