The Book of Zechariah

[CJ.23]

Ok, I know this particular section of the board s really for individual verses, but I read Zechariah last night, for the first tim in years at least, and barring a few passages of 'Social Gospel' it appears to be in the main a series of visions and revelations, filled with symbolism. problem is I have not got the slightest clue what it actually means!

Can anyone explain the meaning, purpose and history of the book to me?

cj x

 

[TrevorL]

Howdy "CJ.23",

Greetings. "CJ.23" wrote:

"

Can anyone explain the meaning, purpose and history of the book to me?"

An important historical aspect is the building of the 2nd Temple after the return of the Jews from Babylon after the 70 years captivity.

Ezra 5:1-2 (KJV): "1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them."

The visions at the beginning of the book use many of the details of this rebuilding as their basis, to encourage the initial building and also prophesying of greater things to come, that have been and will be fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

Ok, I know this particular section of the board s really for individual verses, but I read Zechariah last night, for the first tim in years at least, and barring a few passages of 'Social Gospel' it appears to be in the main a series of visions and revelations, filled with symbolism. problem is I have not got the slightest clue what it actually means!

Can anyone explain the meaning, purpose and history of the book to me?

cj x

CJ.23,
Zechariah, whose name means "The LORD remembers," was a priest and a prophet who ministered in the post-exilic period. As Trevor pointed out, he was a contemporary of Haggai and Ezra, all of whom encouraged the Jews to complete the building of the temple.

Zechariah began preaching in late 520 BC. His eight night visions (chs 1-6) came to him a year later on a single night in early 519 BC. A year later Zechariah wrote chapters 7-8 to urge the Jews to repent and live righteously so that the LORD would bless them. Ezra 6:15-18 records the dedication of the temple, which happened in 516 BC. Many years after 500 BC, Zechariah wrote the two prophetic oracles (chs 9-14). So the writing of the book itself spanned a 30-40 year period.

The book's main theme is revealed early in 1:3: God declared that if the people of Judah return to Him then He would return to them. Zechariah's visions were to encourage the people in his time to return to the LORD. He not only encouraged the Jews to rebuild the temple, but also exhorted them to live righteously in the land. The book has strong emphases on Messianic, apocalyptic and eschatological themes. Multiple passages of Zechariah were referenced in the Gospels and cited as fulfilling prophecy regarding the Messiah Jesus.


Lamorak Des Galis

 

[plmarquette]

Ok, I know this particular section of the board s really for individual verses, but I read Zechariah last night, for the first tim in years at least, and barring a few passages of 'Social Gospel' it appears to be in the main a series of visions and revelations, filled with symbolism. problem is I have not got the slightest clue what it actually means!

Can anyone explain the meaning, purpose and history of the book to me?

cj x

Prophecies in Zechariah , fulfilled in Jesus ministry
1. will come into Jerusalem upon a colt of a donkey
2. will be betrayed by his own people
3. be wounded in his hands
4. will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
5. will buy a field for foreigners with blood money
6. persecution , testing , trial - Zech 13.8