Zechariah

God calls for repentance — don't be like your ancestors who ignored the prophets. Zechariah sees a vision of horsemen among myrtle trees who patrol the earth and report peace. God promises to return to Jerusalem with compassion and rebuild His house.

A vision of a man measuring Jerusalem — but the city will be unwalled because of the multitude within it. God will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem and glory within it. Many nations will join the Lord in that day.

Joshua the high priest stands before the angel of the Lord with filthy garments, and Satan accuses him. God rebukes Satan, removes Joshua's filthy clothes, and gives him clean robes — a powerful picture of justification. God promises the Branch is coming.

A golden lampstand fed by two olive trees — representing God's Spirit empowering Zerubbabel to complete the temple. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord. The mountain of obstacles will become a plain before Zerubbabel.

Two visions of judgment: a flying scroll bringing curses on thieves and liars, and a woman called Wickedness stuffed in a basket and carried to Babylon. Evil is being purged from the land and sent back to its proper home.

Four chariots patrol the earth, and Joshua the high priest is crowned — combining priestly and kingly roles in the Branch who will build the Lord's temple. This unique dual crown points to Christ who is both priest and king.

The people ask about continuing traditional fasts. God responds: your fasting was never really for Me. What I want is justice, mercy, and compassion — don't oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, or the poor. Their ancestors refused this message and were scattered.

God promises a glorious future for Jerusalem: old men and women will sit in its streets while children play. The fasts will become festivals of joy. People from many nations will grab the sleeve of a Jew, saying let us go with you, for we have heard God is with you.

The king comes to Zion — righteous, victorious, humble, and riding on a donkey! This prophecy is fulfilled at Jesus's triumphal entry. His dominion extends from sea to sea. God will use Judah as His bow and Ephraim as His arrow against the nations.

God, not idols, sends rain and shepherds. He will strengthen Judah and save Joseph, bringing them back from exile because of His compassion. They will be as though He had never rejected them, and their children will remember and return.

Zechariah acts out a disturbing parable as a rejected shepherd. He breaks two staffs — Favor and Union — ending God's covenant and the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. The shepherd is valued at thirty pieces of silver — the price of a slave, and precisely what Judas received for betraying Jesus.

In the last days, Jerusalem becomes an immovable rock — all nations who try to move it will injure themselves. God pours out a spirit of grace and supplication, and they will look on the one they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only child — a stunning messianic prophecy of the crucifixion.

A fountain will be opened for sin and impurity. On that day, idols and false prophets will be cut off. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered — Jesus quotes this at Gethsemane. A refined remnant will emerge through fire, and God will say they are My people.

The final apocalyptic vision: all nations attack Jerusalem, the Lord stands on the Mount of Olives which splits in two, living waters flow from Jerusalem, and the Lord becomes king over all the earth. Even the bells on horses will be inscribed Holy to the Lord.