Zechariah - Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Zechariah was born in Babylon during the Exile and returned to Jerusalem in 538 B.C.; he was among the exiles who returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua (see Haggai 1:1). Thus Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai (see Ezra 5:1; 6:14); like Haggai, he was called upon to motivate the newly returned exiles to complete the rebuilding of the temple.

Zechariah’s major theme, therefore, is one of encouragement. But his encouragement is not limited to the rebuilding of the temple; Zechariah looks ahead to the coming of the MESSIAH, to the defeat of the enemies of God’s people, and to the establishment of God’s rule on earth. Indeed, Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will come to build God’s future temple, and that He will reign as king and priest (Zechariah 6:12–13). He also prophesies that the Messiah will enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, that He will be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, and finally that He will be struck down (Zechariah 9:9; 11:12–13; 14:7). No wonder Jesus said to the disciples after His resurrection: “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me” (Luke 24:25–27,44).

Zechariah’s name means the Lord remembers. “The Lord remembers” The Lord “remember” His covenant promises, and He always acts to fulfill them. Just as the Lord promised to restore the Jewish exiles to their homeland, so through Zechariah He promises a much greater restoration to take place when the Messiah comes to establish His kingdom.

For further historical background, see Haggai: Introduction.