The Book of Zechariah
The book of Zechariah is
among the twelve "minor prophets" and is thus overlooked by many
people. It is perhaps the best known of the minor prophets
aside from Jonah however. It is quoted and alluded to in the
New Testament numerous places because of several Messianic
prophecies contained in it.
Zechariah is set in the
same time period of Haggai. The exiles have returned from
Babylon and like Haggai, Zechariah exhorts them to rebuild the
temple.
Perhaps the greater
significance of the book is found in the numerous Messianic
prophecies though. Zechariah foretells:
-
Christ's coming in
lowliness (6:12)
-
his humanity (6:12,
13:7)
-
his rejection and
betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (11:12-13)
-
his crucifixion (by
the "sword" of the Lord) (13:7)
-
his priesthood
(6:13)
-
his kingship (6:13,
9:9, 14:9,16)
-
his coming in glory
(14:4)
-
his building of the
Lord's temple (6:12-13)
-
his reign (9:10)
-
his establishment of
enduring peace and prosperity (3:10, 9:9-10)
(List taken from the
NIV Study Bible chapter introduction notes.)
Aside from the Messianic
predictions, Zechariah looks further into the future at the end
times and prophesies what will take place in a yet future time.
So the book still holds prophetic significance to those awaiting the
second coming of the Messiah as well.
This study was
contributed by Paul George, author of the
Haggai Bible study and several
sermons featured on
this site as well.
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