Zechariah

Of all the Bible’s prophets, Zechariah is perhaps the most difficult to follow. Mysterious, hard-to-understand visions; prophesies about places we have perhaps never heard of; symbols of ancient things little-known to moderns.

And yet, the overall message is familiar to readers of the Bible: Israel will be restored; the Messiah will rescue His people; and we must make ourselves ready by repenting and changing our evil ways.

We will present Zechariah in three broad sections. The first is a straightforward call to repentance, paired with the promise God will give His support to those who respond appropriately. The second is a series of strange visions, each with a point to make about sin, judgment, and the coming Messiah. The third is a series of prophesies, each by itself understandable though presented a bit cryptically, and thrown in a rapid fire sequence without context.

Section One – Repentance and Restoration

As Zechariah begins, the Lord reminds people how things were before the Babylonian Captivity. He starts,

“The Lord was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of armies, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of armies. “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.”’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me,” declares the Lord. – Zechariah 1:2-4

God had sent prophet after prophet to His pre-captivity people, calling them to quit their evil ways. In spite of occasional revivals, overall they refused.

“Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they [preach] forever? But did My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, not overtake your fathers?” – Zechariah 1:5-6a

Eventually God stopped calling them to repentance, and judgment came: the Babylonian army destroyed the promised land and took its people to Babylon as captives.

Their descendants realized their degraded state was because they abandoned God.

“‘Then they repented and said, ‘Just as the Lord of armies planned to do to us in accordance with our ways and our deeds, so He has dealt with us.’” – Zechariah 1:6b

Now the few and powerless people who have returned to rebuild Jerusalem wait for God’s help. God spoke to Zechariah in a strange dream of men on horseback patrolling the area around Jerusalem. An angel explains:

“These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.” So they responded to the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees and said, “We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is still and quiet.” – Zechariah 1:10b-11

Meaning, nothing was happening to change the helpless situation.

Then the angel of the Lord said, “Lord of armies, how long will You take no pity on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been indignant for these seventy years?” And the Lord responded to the angel who was speaking with me with gracious words, comforting words. So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.”’” – Zechariah 1:12-14

God declares He will again support His people. The building of the Lord’s Temple had halted, but it will be completed. Construction projects would be undertaken. People would live at peace.

“‘Therefore the Lord says this: “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it,” declares the Lord of armies, “and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.”’ Again, proclaim, saying, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”’” – Zechariah 1:16-17

God gave Zechariah another vision of the restoration of Jerusalem.

Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. So I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see how wide it is and how long it is.” – Zechariah 2:1-2

The usual reason for measuring a place is to prepare to build things. The angels in Zechariah’s vision speak of how vast and successful it will be.

And he said to him, “Run, speak to that young man there, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited as open country because of the multitude of people and cattle within it. But I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a [protective] wall of fire to her on all sides, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” – Zechariah 2:4-5

The Invitation to Return

Some of God’s people had returned from Babylon to the promised land. He invites them all to return.

We moderns think of Babylon (present day Iraq) as east of the promised land, because we are accustomed to maps and globes. But no one traveled straight across the desert; Babylon’s army followed the rivers northwestward, then invaded Israel from the north. So people in Israel thought of the Babylon threat as “from the north”.

“You there! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord, “because I have spread you out like the four winds of the heavens,” declares the Lord. “You, Zion! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon.” – Zechariah 2:6-7

The captives’ homes in Babylon may seem secure. God assures them His people are precious to Him. He will take care of them in the promised land.

For the Lord of armies says this: “[For His] glory He has sent me against the nations that plunder you, for the one who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” – Zechariah 2:8

The Lord, long silent, will again be at work among His people.

And the Lord will possess Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem. “Be silent, all mankind, before the Lord; for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.” – Zechariah 2:12-13

The Vision of the High Priest’s Purification

Among those who returned to the promised land was their High Priest, a man named Joshua. Joshua was active in the rebuilding of the Temple, and a natural leader of his people.

But Joshua was a flawed person. We aren’t told the nature of his flaws, but we are told of his need for cleansing. In Zechariah’s vision about Joshua,

Now Joshua was clothed in filthy garments and was standing before the angel. And he responded and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your guilt away from you and will clothe you with festive robes.” Then I said, “Have them put a clean headband on his head.” So they put the clean headband on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by. – Zechariah 3:3-5

God similarly cleanses anyone who asks. And like Joshua, God calls them to His service.

And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, “The Lord of armies says this: ‘If you walk in My ways and perform My service, then you will both govern My house and be in charge of My courtyards, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.’” – Zechariah 3:6-7

A Vision to Encourage the Governor

Like Joshua, Zerubbabel was a leader of the small and troubled group who returned to Jerusalem. Zerubbabel was their governor. Joshua was their religious leader, Zerubbabel their civil leader.

God showed Zechariah a strange vision.

Then the angel who had been speaking with me returned and woke me, like a person who is awakened from his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it; also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.” – Zechariah 4:1-3

The vision didn’t make sense to Zechariah. (Maybe it doesn’t make sense to us either.) The angel later explains the symbols, but the explanation may also seem mysterious. Even so, the message communicated by the vision is clear.

Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” – Zechariah 4:4

The angel explains: Zerubbabel isn’t strong enough to bring about his goals, but God will support his efforts.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of armies. ‘What are you, you great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring out the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’” – Zechariah 4:6-7

The building of the Temple had started, but proceeded by fits and starts. It was slow and difficult, and people doubted its success.

The angel assures God’s people.

Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of armies has sent me to you. For who has shown contempt for the day of small things? But [the Temple furnishings] will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—they are the eyes of the Lord roaming throughout the earth.” – Zechariah 4:8-10

Section Two – Strange Visions

The next section contains a series of visions God showed Zechariah. Each is beyond grasp, so he has to ask the angel to explain them.

We should not be discouraged if we do not understand these visions. They were intended for a different audience, a different time, a different culture. We admit they are hard to understand and hard to explain.

Nevertheless, we will take a brief look at each one.

Vision of a Flying Scroll – Judgment for Sin

First is the flying scroll vision. The vision itself was quite simple.

Then I raised my eyes again and looked, and behold, there was a flying scroll. And [an angel] said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a flying scroll; its length is [ten meters], and its width [five meters].” – Zechariah 5:1-2

The angel explains that the vision announces God’s punishment for the sins of theft and contracts made with intent to break them.

Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the entire land; everyone who steals certainly will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely [i.e., breaks their promises] will be purged away according to the writing on the other side. I will make it go forth,” declares the Lord of armies, “and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My name; and it will spend the night within that house and destroy it with its timber and stones.” – Zechariah 5:3-4

A further strange vision emphasizes how severely God will punish sin.

Then the angel who had been speaking with me went out and said to me, “Now raise your eyes and see what this is that is going forth.” And I said, “What is it?” Then he said, “This is the ephah [i.e., harvest basket] going forth.” Again he said, “This is their appearance in all the land. And behold, a lead cover was lifted up.” He continued, “And this is a woman sitting inside the ephah.” Then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he thrust her into the middle of the ephah and threw the lead weight on its opening. – Zechariah 5:5-8

Vision of Chariots – Judgment against Babylon

Now I raised my eyes again and looked, and behold, four chariots were going out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains. With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong spotted horses. – Zechariah 6:1-3

The vision was beyond understanding; what did it mean?

So I responded and said to the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” – Zechariah 6:4

The angel explains: this vision portends judgment against Babylon, whose conquest of Judah years ago was far more cruel than necessary.

The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out after taking their stand before the Lord of all the earth, with one of which the black horses are going out to the north country; and the white ones are to go out after them, while the spotted ones are to go out to the south country.” When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to patrol the earth. And He said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. Then He called out to me and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who are going to the land of the north have appeased My wrath in the land of the north [Babylon].” – Zechariah 6:5-9

Vision of the Crown – the Coming Messiah

Earlier, Zechariah’s vision called exiles still in Babylon to return to their homeland. In this next section, a group returns, and we meet their leaders.

The word of the Lord also came to me, saying, “Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah; and you shall go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.” – Zechariah 6:9-10

At the home of Josiah, the returning leaders present a contribution to the rebuilding effort.

Also take [their gifts of] silver and gold, make an ornate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. – Zechariah 6:11

We met Joshua above, when God purified him and commissioned him to lead in the rebuilding. Here, after giving him the crown, God tells about the coming Messiah, whom He refers to as “Branch”. Joshua was building the Temple in Jerusalem; the Messiah would someday build another temple. He would be both king and priest; no one had ever been both.

“Then say to him, ‘The Lord of armies says this: “Behold, there is a Man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the majesty and sit and rule on His throne. So He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”’” – Zechariah 6:12-13

Section Three – Prophecies

The final section of Zechariah is a series of prophecies. These are not as mysterious as the visions.

The Question about Fasting

A few people had escaped the Babylonian Captivity and had survived in the promised land those 70 years. One group sent a delegation to Jerusalem to ask if all their religious activities were worth it. After all, things didn’t look good for God’s people. Should they continue, or was it a waste of effort?

Now the town of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech and their men to seek the favor of the Lord, speaking to the priests who belong to the house of the Lord of armies, and to the prophets, saying, “Shall I weep in the fifth month and fast, as I have done these many years?” – Zechariah 7:2-3

God provides His answer: their actions were no different from before the captivity, when people performed their religious ceremonies while still loving their evil ways.

Then the word of the Lord of armies came to me, saying, “Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted? And when you eat and drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? Are these not the words which the Lord proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and carefree along with its cities around it, and the Negev [the southern region of the promised land] and the foothills were inhabited?’” – Zechariah 7:4-7

God tells us to first treat people well. Otherwise our religious observances are meaningless.

Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, “This is what the Lord of armies has said: ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’” – Zechariah 7:8-10

But the pre-captivity generation wouldn’t listen. That’s why the Babylonian Captivity happened in the first place.

“But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and plugged their ears from hearing. They also made their hearts as hard as a diamond so that they could not hear the Law and the words which the Lord of armies had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the Lord of armies.” – Zechariah 7:11-12

That old message was still God’s message to these people. And so far, they also had not listened.

God’s Strong Support for Jerusalem

The small and weak community of returnees must have wondered whether they were following God’s guidance, or a pipe dream. God speaks to Zechariah to emphasize His plan for Jerusalem.

This section speaks of Zion, which was a prominent district of Jerusalem. It was where God’s Temple had been, and was being rebuilt by these people.

Then the word of the Lord of armies came, saying, “The Lord of armies says this: ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’” – Zechariah 8:1-2

In view of the people’s commitment to sin, God had removed Himself. But He would return to Jerusalem.

“The Lord says this: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of armies will be called the Holy Mountain.’ The Lord of armies says this: ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each person with his staff in his hand because of age.’” – Zechariah 8:3-4

Feeble people weren’t safe when Jerusalem was abandoned and subject to marauders. But God will change that. He continues.

“‘And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its squares.’ The Lord of armies says this: ‘If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?’ declares the Lord of armies.” – Zechariah 8:5-6

Because of God’s promised support, the people should not be afraid to engage in the difficult job of rebuilding.

“The Lord of armies says this: ‘Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of armies was laid, so that the temple might be built.’” – Zechariah 8:9

In recent times, anything built was subject to theft and vandalism.

“For before those days there was no wage for man nor any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no peace because of his enemies, and I sent all the people against one another.” – Zechariah 8:10

But God is putting a stop to that.

“‘But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ declares the Lord of armies. ‘For there will be the seed of peace: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce, and the heavens will provide their dew; and I will give to the remnant of this people all these things as an inheritance. And it will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’” – Zechariah 8:11-13

Because of the people’s sin, God brought disaster on them. But because of God’s determination to build His people and His city, He will bring relief.

“For this is what the Lord of armies says: ‘Just as I determined to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to anger,’ says the Lord of armies, ‘and I have not relented, so I have again determined in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear! These are the things which you shall do: speak the truth to one another¹; judge with truth and judgment for peace at your gates. Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these things are what I hate,’ declares the Lord.” – Zechariah 8:14-17

God returns to the subject of religious fasting, mentioned earlier. If the people live according to God’s law, their fasts will please Him.

Then the word of the Lord of armies came to me, saying, “The Lord of armies says this: ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, jubilation, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’” – Zechariah 8:18-19

Prophecies against Nearby Nations

Zechariah names several nearby places whose evil has come to God’s attention.

The pronouncement of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place
(for the eyes of mankind, especially of all the tribes of Israel, are toward the Lord),
And Hamath also, which borders on it;
Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.
For Tyre built herself a fortress,
And piled up silver like dust,
And gold like the mud of the streets.

– Zechariah 9:1-3

What will happen to these places?

Behold, the Lord will dispossess her
And throw her wealth into the sea;
And she will be consumed with fire.

– Zechariah 9:4

Other nearby people will live in fear that the same will overtake them; and they are correct.

Ashkelon will see it and be afraid.
Gaza too will writhe in great pain;
Also Ekron, because her hope has been ruined.
Moreover, the king will perish from Gaza,
And Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
And a people of mixed origins will live in Ashdod,
And I will eliminate the pride of the Philistines.

– Zechariah 9:5-6

But in the middle of all that trouble, God will protect His people.

But I will camp around My house because of an army,
Because of him who passes by and returns;
And no oppressor will pass over them anymore,
For now I have seen with My eyes.

– Zechariah 9:8

Prophecy of Restoration for God’s People

Zechariah had spoken earlier about the Messiah, calling Him “Branch”. This time he refers to Him as “king”.

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is righteous and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey².

– Zechariah 9:9

God does this because He is determined to keep His promise, even if His people have been faithless. That’s why He brought them back from Babylon.

As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you,
I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.

– Zechariah 9:11

God again invites exiles to return.

Return to the stronghold [Jerusalem], you prisoners who have the hope;
This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.

– Zechariah 9:12

God truly treasures His people.

And the Lord their God will save them on that day
As the flock of His people;
For they are like the precious stones of a crown,
Sparkling on His land.
For how great will their loveliness and beauty be!
Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine, the virgins.

– Zechariah 9:16-17

Prophecy against Unfaithful Leaders

In a time of need, we ought to ask God …

Ask for rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain—
The Lord who makes the storm winds;
And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each person.

– Zechariah 10:1

… rather than whatever else we might trust to meet our need.

For the household idols speak deception,
And the diviners see an illusion
And tell deceitful dreams;
They comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep,
They are wretched because there is no shepherd.

– Zechariah 10:2

God will punish the leaders who have pushed people in that direction.

“My anger is kindled against the shepherds [leaders],
And I will punish the male goats [the ones in charge];

– Zechariah 10:3a

But in spite of this, God will build up His people.

“For the Lord of armies has visited His flock, the house of Judah,
And will make them like His majestic horse in battle.”

– Zechariah 10:3b

God will restore His people’s fortunes as in old days.

“And I will strengthen the house of Judah [one of Israel’s tribes],
And I will save the house of Joseph [another tribe],
And I will bring them back,
Because I have had compassion on them;
And they will be as though I had not rejected them,
For I am the Lord their God and I will answer them…
I will whistle for them and gather them together,
For I have redeemed them;
And they will be as numerous as they were before.”

– Zechariah 10:6, 8

And His people will one day be faithful to Him.

“And I will strengthen them in the Lord,
And in His name they will walk,” declares the Lord.

– Zechariah 10:12

Parable of the Doomed Flock

This next section is an elaboration of the above prophecy against the corrupt ones among Israel’s leadership.

There was a sheep ranch whose sheep were failing, dying off and dwindling, because of the exceptionally poor work of those hired to shepherd them. The workers stole sheep and ate or sold them, and did not take care of the sick or feeble sheep.

God sent Zechariah to be the new shepherd for this flock.

This is what the Lord my God says: “Pasture the flock doomed to slaughter. Those who [tend] them slaughter them and go unpunished, and each of those who sell them says, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich!’ And their own shepherds have no compassion for them.” – Zechariah 11:4-5

The shepherds were a metaphor for leaders who were committed to selfishness.

“For I will no longer have compassion for the inhabitants of the land,” declares the Lord; “but behold, I will let the people fall, each into another’s power and into the power of his king; and they will crush the land, and I will not rescue them from their power.” – Zechariah 11:6

So Zechariah took the job as foreman of the shepherds. Initially his primary duty was to nurse the ill sheep back to health.

So I pastured the flock doomed to slaughter, therefore also the afflicted of the flock. – Zechariah 11:7a

To do the job he needed to make or obtain tools. And in the custom of the day, he named his tools.

And I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Favor, and the other I called Union; so I pastured the flock. – Zechariah 11:7b

Favor was a symbol of God’s covenant with his people, which granted them great favor when obeyed. Union was a symbol of unity for Israel’s people, who were splintered and in conflict with each other.

But the project didn’t go well. The previous shepherds were still on staff, and still harming the flock. Zechariah finally determined he could not help the sheep while those hurting them remained. So he fired them.

Then I did away with the three shepherds in one month, for my soul was impatient with them, and their soul also was tired of me. – Zechariah 11:8

Even so, the work was too much for Zechariah. He couldn’t hire honest help, and he couldn’t do it alone. So he quit before his contract was complete.

Then I said, “I will not pasture you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to perish, let it perish; and let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.” – Zechariah 11:9

To emphasize that he was actually quitting and not just complaining, he destroyed his shepherd staff.

And I took my staff Favor and cut it in pieces, to break my covenant which I had made with all the peoples. – Zechariah 11:10

Again, this was a symbol of the people, who had broken their covenant with God.

The ranch owners realized he was serious about breaking his contract. Even the sheep seemed to know something bad was happening.

So it was broken on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me realized that it was the word of the Lord. – Zechariah 11:11

Zechariah had performed good work and so deserved some pay; but since he terminated his contract, the owners weren’t obligated to pay anything.

And I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!” So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages³. – Zechariah 11:12

God gave Zechariah instructions about that token payment. Near where the Temple was being rebuilt was a community of pottery makers. And near that was a field where potters discarded broken pots and other rubbish. God told Zechariah to throw his pay in the garbage publicly.

Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter [near] the house of the Lord⁴. – Zechariah 11:13

And to further emphasize his feeling about the failed project, the prophet destroys his other shepherd staff.

Then I cut in pieces my second staff Union, to break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. – Zechariah 11:14

God had given Zechariah an assignment, but he had quit without completing it. God sends him back to finish his contract. It wasn’t about the sheep; His goal was to complete the symbol of destruction caused by poor leadership.

And the Lord said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd. For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for the perishing, seek the scattered, heal the broken, or provide for the one who is exhausted, but will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs.

Woe to the worthless shepherd
Who abandons the flock!
A sword will be on his arm
And on his right eye!
His arm will be totally withered,
And his right eye will be blind.”

– Zechariah 11:15-17

Prophecy of God’s Defense against Impossible Odds

One day there will be a horrible attack against Jerusalem and the entire nation of Israel.

[God speaking] “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes staggering to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.” – Zechariah 12:2

The attack will be unstoppable. Jerusalem’s soldiers will be terrified.

“And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. On that day,” declares the Lord, “I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with insanity.” – Zechariah 12:3b-4a

But in spite of the hopeless situation, God will rescue His people.

“But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the [attacking] peoples with blindness. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are a strong support for us through the Lord of armies, their God.’” – Zechariah 12:4b-5

In that time of distress, Israel will realize they did not recognize their Messiah, and killed Him. Their grief will be intense.

“And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of pleading, so that they will look at Me whom they pierced⁵; and they will mourn for Him, like one mourning for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” – Zechariah 12:10

Prophecy against False Prophets

Once Israel recognizes their Messiah, God will purify them.

“And it will come about on that day,” declares the Lord of armies, “that I will eliminate the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the [idol] prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.” – Zechariah 13:2

People will respect the Old Testament’s prohibition against false prophets. They will invoke, literally or figuratively, the capital punishment specified for that crime.

“And if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the Lord’; and his father and mother who gave birth to him shall pierce him through when he prophesies.” – Zechariah 13:3

Anyone who has the Biblical gift of prophecy will hide that fact. People dressed according to their career, so these prophets would put on the garb of a different profession. Careers, including prophecy, were often handed down within families, so these prophets would alter their heritage.

“Also it will come about on that day that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not put on a hairy robe in order to deceive; but he will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I am a cultivator of the ground, because a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’” – Zechariah 13:4-5

These prophets were at risk from their own people because of their gift and career. Zechariah continues with this cryptic prophecy, foreshadowing how the Messiah would die.

“And someone will say to him, ‘What are these wounds [in] your hands?’ Then he will say, ‘Those with which I was wounded at the house of my friends.’” – Zechariah 13:6

And then this poem, also about the Messiah.

“Awake, sword, against My Shepherd,
And against the Man, My Associate,”
Declares the Lord of armies.
“Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered⁶;
And I will turn My hand against the little ones.”

– Zechariah 13:7

Prophecy of God’s Ultimate Victory

Zechariah repeats that someday the entire world would attack Jerusalem.

For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be taken, the houses plundered, the women raped, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be eliminated from the city. – Zechariah 14:2

But in that horrible time, God will defend His city.

Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. – Zechariah 14:3

Near Jerusalem was a hill known as the Mount of Olives. Centuries later Jesus would frequent there. In the still-future attack, God’s defense will come from there.

On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west forming a very large valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and the other half toward the south … Then the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! – Zechariah 14:4, 5b

When the battle is over, flawed human control will finally end, and God will rule all.

And the Lord will be King over all the earth; on that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one. – Zechariah 14:9

For the attackers, the end will be stunningly sudden.

Now this will be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth. – Zechariah 14:12

Who in ancient times could imagine a weapon capable of that?

The survivors among them will be in such panic they will attack each other.

And it will come about on that day that a great panic from the Lord will fall on them; and they will seize one another’s hand, and the hand of one will be raised against the hand of another. – Zechariah 14:13

Those who remain will recognize that God is unbeatable, and will render their submission.

Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of armies, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. – Zechariah 14:16

The Feast of Booths was a harvest-time thanksgiving event, initiated in Moses’ day, to be celebrated annually. In that future day, it will be celebrated worldwide.

And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of armies, there will be no rain on them. And if the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no rain will fall on them; it will be the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths. This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths. – Zechariah 14:17-19

God will rule over all.

Epilogue

Weird visions. Cryptic symbols. Obscure prophecies.

And yet the message of Zephaniah is simple and consistent with what we already know about the Bible and God.

God will not tolerate sin; not forever. His judgment will come.

God will defend His people. His Messiah will be their rescuer.

He offers restoration to any offenders who abandon their destructive ways and join Him.

His victory is certain. And it includes a wonderful outcome for all who stand with Him.