The words of the prophet Zechariah are ones of hope and revival with a call to repentance. There comes a time in the lives of people who call upon the name of Jesus to change their ways and begin to act like Him. Many times in our walk we fail God but with the new heart that He places in us, the Holy Spirit, we can rise above our human way of thinking and start listening to what He is quietly saying to our spirit.
Unless God builds the house, His Church, it will not stand!
Encouragement and hope are the underlying themes of the prophecies of Zechariah. The prophet Zechariah was one of the three prophets, along with Haggai and Malachi, who ministered to the exiles returning to Jerusalem. These exiles faced the ruins of what had once been a splendid city and a glorious temple. There was much to be sad about, but Zechariah encouraged the exiles with visions of judgment on Israel’s enemies and of the complete restoration of the city of Jerusalem. Yet the most thrilling vision of all was the prediction of a coming King—the Messiah who would bring eternal salvation and the promised eternal kingdom.
The name Zechariah means “Yahweh Remembers,” emphasizing God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises and to His people.
Zechariah’s prophecies had two purposes. First, they challenged the returning exiles to turn to the Lord, to be cleansed from their sins and to experience again the Lord’s blessing. Second, Zechariah’s words comforted and encouraged the people regarding the rebuilding of the temple and God’s future work among His people.
The words return to Me remind us of the depth of God’s unconditional love.
Zechariah teaches a great deal concerning the First and Second Comings of Jesus the Messiah. He refers to the Messiah as the “BRANCH”, God’s “Servant”, and God’s “Shepherd”. The NKJV Study Bible
Zechariah 1:1–4 (NKJV)
1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2 “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord.
Zechariah 1:6 (NKJV)
6 Yet surely My words and My statutes,
Which I commanded My servants the prophets,
Did they not overtake your fathers?
“So they returned and said:
‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us,
According to our ways and according to our deeds,
So He has dealt with us.’ ” ’ ”
30“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.
Ezekiel 18:30
11So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11
17 The Lord has done what He purposed; He has fulfilled His word Which He commanded in days of old. He has thrown down and has not pitied, And He has caused an enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the horn of your adversaries.
Lamentations 2:17
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