Zechariah

Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

      Zechariah wrote this book during the reigns of King Darius (1:1, 7:1). The original readers had just returned back to Jerusalem. Zechariah was a prophet as the temple was being built and completed by Zerubbabel (14:6-10). The people had just seen their temple built but their city was still in ruins. They must have had questions whether God was good, or if he would really restore them. Zechariah wanted them to start out right. He wanted them to enter into their land and remain holy. God gave him messages that called the people to live righteously (7:9-13). The main reason this book was written is to give hope to the people that God is still with them. What God says to Zerubbabel in 4:6 is key to this book. The angel says to Zerubbabel that, “is is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies.”

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

      God is a loving father for his people. His is quick to punish those around who have oppressed or abused his people (9:1-8). God says in 2:8 that Judah is his most precious possession and that he will crush all those harmed them. God is protective of his children and his love for them is great. God is a just God and commands his people to be just with one another (7:9). He cares for the weak and the broken ones. He protects them and stands up for those who can't stand for themselves.

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

      I found two examples of God's redemptive plan for mankind. One are Messianic prophecies about the one who is coming to rule and forgive the sins of the world (3:8-10, 6:12-14, 9:9-11, 14:9). The next are prophecies of restoration for Judah. That God will live among them and that they will again be a nation (2:10-13, 8:4-14, 10:6). My favorite of the Messianic prophecies is 9:9-11. Because I have read about the fulfillment and gives me excitement to know that God fulfilled even the small prophecies such as Jesus riding on a donkey. God is an amazing God of mercy. In 10:2 God says they are like sheep without a shepherd, but later in verse 6 he says he hears their cries and in verse 7 says that they will be like mighty warriors. What a shift in just 3 verses as God loves, cares, leads and protects his people. restored 2:10-13 8:4-14 10:6

Personal Application

      Zechariah 4:6 has been one of my favorite verses and so I had to choose this as a verse for personal application. The truth in this verse is so powerful and simple yet so hard to do. Its not by force or strength, God says, but by His Spirit. I so often try by my own strength. Probably multiple times a day. I think that I can do it and so I do it. It seems logical. If I think I am capable why do I need to be led by the Spirit? Of course that's a terrible way for the Christian to think and the angel in Zech 4:6 says that God has another way for us to do things. Its not by our own strength but its by the power of God. Nebuchadnezzar thought that everything he had accomplished was his doing and God had a strong reaction to Necuchadnezzar's pride (Dan 4:30-32). Pride is what says that I can do it on my own. God hates pride and tells us over and over again through the scriptures that it is by his power that we can do anything. He is sovereign and he has all power. Who am I to think that I can accomplish anything on my own. Anything I do void of his Spirit is not worth doing at all. In everything I do and throughout the day I need to rely and trust in the power of God. Whether in work duty, or in conversations with friends I need to be led by his Spirit. He can turn the mundane into radical. He can use me in places that I have overlooked and that I thought I just needed to get through. God is not limited to certain parts of my day and his desire for me is to seek him all throughout the day. To live by his Spirit.