Who, When, Where

Written by Zechariah.
During the reign of Darius. Specifically around 520BC.
Around the same time as Haggai, as the exiles were starting to return from the Babylonian exile.
Zechariah was born during the exile. Presumably in Babylon, and he dates his visions based on the Persian king of the time, Darius. So he probably started there.
But his visions are about Jerusalem, and her future.

Summary

Zechariah had several visions and some prophecy about the future.
Kind of like Yahweh’s pep talk to his people now that they were finally returning home to start again.
You are my people. You’ve been away for a while because you stuffed up before. But yoru future is bright and exciting. Let’s get things cleaned up and restored around here and move on together.

Before You Read

There are some amazing visions/revelations given to Zechariah. As you read them you will recognise quite a few things which are quoted in the New Testament, and a lot of them were fulfilled in Yeshua.
But some of them are still to come.

And you might see some similarities with the revelation given to John (The book of Revelation).

As you read. Imagine you have been in exile in a foreign land for 70 years and you are finally returning to your homeland.

Key Verses

Zechariah 2:8

… he who touches you touches the apple of his eye.

Can you imagine how you would feel if God said this to you?
You are the apple of God's eye. How awesome.
He said this about the Jews. But Christians are God's people too. He feels that way about us too.

Zechariah 4:6

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Yahweh of Armies.

The Old Testament has a lot of war and battle stories. A lot of stories of struggle and of overcoming.
In all of them, the victor was determined by God. Not by who was the strongest, or who had the biggest army, but by the spirit of Yahweh.
That is how you overcome.
Remember that next time you're struggling. Stop trying to win victory for yourself and let Yahweh win it for you.
This is the big message of Zechariah. Even when little Israel is surrounded by the armies of every nation on earth. Yahweh will win the battle for them.

Zechariah 7:5

… Did you at all fast to me, really to me?

Motives are important. We can claim we are fasting for Yahweh. We can even think that we are. But are we really?
Always check your motives, not just your actions.

Zechariah 7:10

‘Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother

This is what Yahweh wants from us. Kind of like the part in James where he tell us what "true religion" looks like.

Zechariah 9:9

Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Remember reading that about Yeshua? There is a lot of prophecy about Yeshua in Zechariah. Some of it is yet to be fulfilled.

Zechariah 11:1

12I said to them, “If you think it best, give me my wages; and if not, keep them.” So they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver.

Here is some more. Remember Yehuda Iscarioth and his 30 pieces of silver… It was all prophesied more than 500 years before.

After You Read

What verses really stood out to you?

How would you summarize this book in a sentence or two? What is it about? What is God trying to say to us?

Overall the message is Yahweh will eventually take control of this planet and bless his people.
What specific things do you think you should be looking for in the future?
Can you see nations gathering against Israel?

How do you think you would have read this 200 years ago. When Israel looked like it was a forgotten nation, having ceased to be in 70AD when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and scattered the people around the world.