Zechariah

Though Haggai and Zechariah both prophesied in the second year of Darius (Ezra 5:1; Hag. 1:1; Zech. 1:1), Haggai’s focus is the temple and its reconstruction, while Zechariah’s message is broader both in scope and time. Zechariah is occupied with Jerusalem and its history from the captivity to the last days.
God is jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy, and He is sore displeased with the heathen (Zech. 1:14-15). He has executed His government upon Israel through the Gentiles, but each nation has offended and must be judged (Zech. 1:18-21)—Babylon (already fallen at that time), Persia, Greece (Zech. 9:13) and Rome.
The temple was being rebuilt, and under Nehemiah the walls of Jerusalem would be restored, (cf. Zech 2:5). All, however, a precursor of a better deliverance; the restoration of that city in a future day will be glorious (ch. 2). Zechariah lifts the eyes of the feeble remnant, setting their hope on Jehovah—what an encouragement! We too are looking beyond this scene “for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
In chapters 2-6 we have distinct visions that describe the reestablishment of Jerusalem (ch. 2), the cleansing of the people (ch. 3), the perfection of that future administration (ch. 4), the judgment of the wicked and wickedness (ch. 5), and God’s providential government exercised through the four successive Gentile nations, bringing us to Christ the Branch who will build the temple and rule in righteousness (ch. 6).
Chapter 7 begins anew; it is now the fourth year of king Darius. In the remainder of the book we have the Messiah and the consequences of His rejection. Judah is scattered because they refused to hear (ch. 7), yet Jehovah will return (ch. 8) and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, “and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness” (Zech. 8:8).
In chapters 9-10, God’s vengeance is poured out upon the nations. Messiah is here introduced, not in power, but as the lowly One—“behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zech. 9:9). Unrecognized, He is rejected by the nation. “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isa. 53:2). Yet He will make good His claims through judgment. He will bring peace to Israel—both Judah and Joseph (Zech. 10:6)—the basis of which must be the covenant of blood (Zech. 9:11).
Having rejected the Messiah, the Jews will receive another who will come in his own name (John 5:43), the Antichrist, the foolish and idol shepherd (Zech. 11:15-17). While the nation values the true Shepherd at just thirty pieces of silver, the faithful remnant (the poor of the flock) observe and see that it is all according to the word of the Lord (Zech. 11:11-12).
The subject of the Antichrist and his judgment (Zech. 11:17) introduces the times of the end. Nations will besiege Jerusalem for a final time, only to be destroyed (ch. 12). Judah will look upon Him whom they have pierced and will be filled with great sorrow (Zech. 12:10). All will be cleansed and the false prophet and idol purged (Zech. 13:1-4).
Christ was the Prophet (Deut. 18:15)—in contrast to the false prophets—but was rejected. He became a servant of man (Zech. 13:5 JND), but was wounded in the house of his friends (beloved; Zech. 13:6). Yet this humble Man, smitten of God, is none other than Jehovah’s fellow, perfect in atonement, perfect in sympathy (Zech. 13:7). Judah’s judgment will be severe; a third part will be brought through the fire (Zech. 13:9).
Chapter 14 takes us back to Jerusalem and the day of the Lord. God will gather all nations against Jerusalem and the city will be taken (Zech. 14:2)—this is the first siege, the overflowing scourge (Isa. 28:15). Jehovah will come forth to fight and deliver Jerusalem; He will stand upon the Mount of Olives, and it will cleave in two (Zech. 14:4). Plagues will smite the nations (Zech. 14:12). Though they will gather for a second time, they will resort to infighting, slaying one another, with Judah joining the fight (Zech. 14:13-14).
“And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one” (Zech. 14:9). Those that remain of the nations will go up to Jerusalem “from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16).