A fresh start.
Historical
background and purpose of the book
The Spirit
of God has power to changes situations. According to Zechariah all human effects
and labor in vain if God is not a part.
Zechariah
prophesied at the time of Haggai around 520 BC, in a period of to years. But
some is written much later. He ,together with Ezra and Haggai. The lates event
mentioned, focuses on rebuilding the Temple. Zechariah was in many ways Haggai
counterpart. They complemented each other in a good way. While Haggai spoke to the
people about what would happen in their near future if the temple was rebuilt,
Zechariah looked it into a larger context, and prophesied a much larger
restoration that would happen when Messiah would come .
Zechariah
had many visions and dreams. As often in prophecies there are promises,
admonitions, strict words and comforting words. Much of what Zechariah said was
pointing towards Jesus. Some of the visions were complicated, and God himself
gave the answer. The answers were often short and quite understandable- They
would have a major impact on what would happen in the future for Israel and for
the world at large.
Main Bible
verses:
" Not by might, nor by power, but
by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty " 4:6.
God turns
it clear that without him we are helpless. This principle we find in many
places in the Bible.
Overview:
A. Eight
visions while the temple is rebuilt: 1:1 - 6.15
B. Four
message while building the temple: 7:1 - 8.23
C. Two
parables after the completion of the temple: 9:1 - 14.21
NB:p.271
The book is
67 quotes 67 times in NT. So we can see that this book was relevant for NT -
people at their own time. (Greg)
Theme tracing:
What does the book show about the
character and nature of God?
“Return to
me, and I will return to you, says the Lord “ 1.3
Speaks kind
and comforting Words 1.13
God’s love
is passionate and strong 1.14, He calls his people “ precious possession” – the
apple of His eyes”
He is angry
1.15
Keeps His
word 1.6
God is
determined to bless Jerusalem and the people. He returns to show mercy 2.16. He
will be with His people, live among them 2.10. He will protect His people,
9.15. He will rescue His people 9.26, strengthen and restore them, and hear
their cry 10.6
Encouraging - don’t be afraid
Giving
instruction “But this is what you should do:” Truth , just, lead to peace 8.16
and similar in 7.9 where these word are mentioned: mercy, kindness , take care
of orphans, widowers, foreigner and the poor.
Gives
hope 8.22
Zechariah
is using these words for God: righteous, victorious and humble.
What does this book show
about God´s redemptive plan for mankind?
“
You are symbols of thing to come” 3.8
3.7-8
A
spiritual picture of God’s spirit will be an everlasting oil – to keep the
light on in the temple - us
CH.6.10-13
– Jesus as a King and High priest together. This was a very new thoughts for the people , to be both
- but it says there will be perfect harmony. V.13. In Hebr .7.12 Paul is
discussing how Jesus also is a High Priest.
“God
is planting a seed of peace….” 8.12
Jesus
coming on a donkey is foretold here in 9.9 – as mentioned in Matt.21.5,
John.12.15
In
8.7 , Jes.43.5-6 and Matt 8.11-12 it speaks
about the people that believes in God will be collected from all corners of the
world.
Application
questions
Personal application:
Steve Greg showed us in an impressive way
how the visions and prophecies foreshadow both the years between the end of the
OT and until the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. It was much to grasp, and
I can’t re write it – but only that I can see God’s plan and fulfillment as
really encouraging, and it is a eye opener how much of the OT and eg. Zephaniah
is quoted in NT.
I made a little circle for myself – most
for fun, pulling out some headlines from the 8 visions. It made some sense for
me how similar it was to our life today. I have to work more on this – it is
very light summary, not made any deep study or found the word references, but
taken from my mind and understanding of the life in Christ.
POP
on separate paper
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