1:3 — “Return to Me,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I may return to you.”
The people of Jerusalem returned home, but they soon forgot why the city was so precious to them. They had abandoned their love and commitment to God and inadvertently headed down the same road as their forefathers, whose wickedness, pagan worship, and complacency led to the exile in the first place (Jer. 25:4–11). In order for them to avoid the same judgment as previous generations, God commanded them to follow Him with a whole heart. The same thing happens in our lives when we drift in our devotion to Him. How do we avoid taking the path of judgment? As James admonishes, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). The moment we sense God’s Spirit convicting us to draw nearer to Him, we need to respond with humble hearts—repenting and committing ourselves to Him wholeheartedly. Then sustaining peace will flood in as evidence of His presence within us.
1:17 — “The LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”
God judged Israel and Judah, not to vent His anger, but to bring the hearts of His people back to Him.
2:5 — “‘For I,’ declares the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”
In this passage, Zechariah describes the splendor of the rebuilt Jerusalem—overflowing with people and completely illuminated and protected by the glory and might of the Lord. It also looks forward to the New Jerusalem, where “the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Rev. 21:23). As believers, we also can look forward to the day that God establishes His new kingdom. Second Corinthians 4:6, 7 tells us, “God . . . is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” The encouraging thing that we must remember is that God reveals Himself to us today in countless ways. We have the opportunity to experience touches of His glory, and when we do, we are struck by the awesomeness of His love. Heaven is His future promise to all who believe in Him, but by His amazing grace, we can have a personal relationship with Him right now.
2:10 — “Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the LORD.
We can trust God’s promises because He puts His love and infinite power into making sure they come to pass. This prophecy was fulfilled through Jesus—who is also called “‘Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us’” (Matt. 1:23; also Ezek. 37:27; John 1:14; 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 21:3). And when we know that God is with us and that He desires intimate fellowship with us, how can we not break out in song and rejoice with all our hearts?
2:11 — “Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people.”
It has always been the Lord’s plan to redeem people from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” by the blood of Christ (Rev. 5:9; also Gen. 12:3; 22:18; Gal. 3:7–9). His love covers the world!
3:1 — He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
The Bible calls Satan “the accuser of our brethren,” who opposes God’s people “before our God day and night” (Rev. 12:10). But thank God, we also “have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” (1 John 2:1, 2). Propitiation means “to appease.” The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for mankind’s sin appeased, or satisfied, God’s wrath. Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). The very nature of sin demands a sacrifice, and because the weight of our sin against God is so great, He sent His Son to die for us. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, and through His death, He dealt with the eternal penalty of our sin. Once this was done, He could show mercy to us by removing every trace of guilt and shame through His unconditional love and forgiveness.
3:4 — “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”
Christ Himself makes us worthy of His presence—clothing us in His righteousness through His death and resurrection (Is. 61:10; Col. 3:9, 10).
4:5 — The angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
Never be afraid to admit to God that you cannot comprehend something in His Word. When you come to a passage in the Bible that you don’t understand, ask Him to teach you what it means and how He wants to apply it to your life. He loves to reveal His Word to those eager to hear and obey (James 1:5).
Answers to Life’s Questions
How can I avoid burnout in doing God’s work?
For decades, the Jews that were held in Babylonian captivity prayed for God to allow them to return to Jerusalem so they could rebuild the temple and restore the land they had once called home (Ps. 137:1–6). God answered by sending King Cyrus of Persia to overthrow the Babylonians and send the Jews back to the Promised Land. King Cyrus declared, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel” (Ezra 1:2, 3).
Many took the opportunity and returned to Jerusalem to accomplish the monumental task of restoration. Unfortunately, the work was very challenging, and the people became disheartened. When they ran into opposition, they abandoned the project altogether. For sixteen years the work stood at a standstill.
Do you ever wonder how people serving the living God could become so discouraged or distracted that they would walk away from the important task God had called them to do? In most cases, it seems to make little sense. Sure, there are pressures, but stress is a normal part of life, especially when you are in a position of responsibility. Yet there is a common reason why many of God’s servants are unsuccessful, and it is this: they do not do His work in His way. Consequently, they become easily stressed, distracted, disappointed, and face failure.
God knew the people, like their predecessors, would face opposition. To prepare them for what lay ahead, He encouraged them through the prophet Zechariah, who spoke these memorial words: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6). He encouraged them that He did not expect them to accomplish the work on their own. On the contrary, the construction of the temple could only be completed if they would trust and obey Him.
There are two ways to approach God’s work. First, you can do it in the flesh, depending on your own influence, personality, gifts, resources, education, and experience. Or second, you can accomplish the task God’s way—through the direction of and in the power of the Holy Spirit. What is the difference? First Corinthians 3:13–15 explains, “Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss.” What is the work that will be consumed? Anything we do according to the flesh—those things we do for ourselves and not in keeping with God’s plans and commandments. In the end, the only things that will remain are those things that have been done in obedience to Him.
As believers, we have been commissioned to be involved in what God is doing throughout the world (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8). We can be confident that there is no immovable obstacle or unconquerable challenge. When God’s Spirit is at work through us, we will accomplish the goals He helps us to set. When we submit to His plan, we gain fresh strength and courage. No matter how overwhelming, complicated, or impossible the task may seem, God provides exactly what we need. He also assumes full responsibility for helping us reach these goals. When we obey Him, He does mighty things. We will never go wrong trusting the Savior.
See the Life Principles Index for further study:
24. To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.
4:10 — “Who has despised the day of small things?”
To Judah’s enemies, the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem seemed completely unnecessary (Hag. 1:2). And to those who had seen the house of the Lord in its former glory, this new building seemed dishearteningly small and inconsequential in comparison (2:3). However, God promised in Haggai 2:9, “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former . . . and in this place I will give peace.” The important point is this: God longs to dwell among His people and work through us in awesome ways. We should never despise the tasks that appear minor or ignore the assignments He asks us to do. Others may deem them as being insignificant, but the Lord knows the priceless value of a willing heart and a surrendered life. There will be times when we do not understand how He can work through us, but He always does in amazing ways when we obey Him.
Life Examples
A Picture of the Messiah
The high priests of Israel had always worn turbans, not ornate crowns (Ex. 28:4, 36–38). But in the days of the prophet Zechariah, God commanded that a kingly crown of silver and gold be made for Joshua the high priest and that it be set upon his head.
Furthermore, the Lord said through the prophet, “It is He . . . who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices” (Zech. 6:13). From early on, the Jews recognized this passage as a prophecy of the Messiah to come. In the Messiah, both the priestly and royal roles would merge in majesty and holiness—something completely unprecedented and unique. The high priest, Joshua (whose name means “God saves”), provided a compelling picture of the Savior—Jesus (a different form of the same name). The Lord serves as our High Priest and Holy Lamb of God (John 1:29; Heb. 9:11–14; Rev. 21:22), and He will also reign as our eternal King forever and ever (Rev. 17:14; 19:16).
See the Life Principles Index for further study:
3. God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.
6:15 — It will take place if you completely obey the LORD your God.
Many of God’s promises, in both the Old and New Testaments, are conditional. When you see the word “if,” understand that God is making His action contingent upon our obedience.
7:5 — “When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted?”
During their captivity, the Jews fasted to commemorate the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. However, once the city and the house of the Lord were being rebuilt, they wondered if they should continue the practice (Zech. 7:3). Yet He reminded them that He is not interested in religious observances or rituals. Rather, He wanted them to serve Him out of love and reverence (7:5–11). God desires a genuine, heartfelt relationship with us. He wants us to obey Him, not out of obligation but with a willing, loving heart (1 Sam. 15:22; Ps. 51:16, 17; Jer. 7:22, 23; Hos. 6:6; Mark 12:33). The depth of the intimacy that we have with Him determines the impact and fruitfulness of our lives. Therefore, we need to make sure that whatever we do is in step with His will and plan for our lives (John 15:4, 5).
7:9 — “Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother.’”
When we have a genuine and dynamic relationship with God, our lives will show it (Matt. 5:3–12; John 13:34, 35; 1 Cor. 13:4–8; Gal. 5:22, 23; 2 Pet. 1:5–8). We will express Christ’s character by treating others with the same love, comfort, forgiveness, and truth He has shown to us, and we will represent Him faithfully to whomever we meet (2 Cor. 1:3–7; 5:20; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12–17).
8:6 — “If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?”
What is impossible to us is very easy for the Lord (Gen 18:14; Jer. 32:27; Matt. 19:26; Luke 1:37; 18:27). That is why we can trust Him, no matter how difficult our situation may seem.
8:9 — “Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets.”
Whenever you feel weak and in need of spiritual strength, spend extended time in Scripture. God delights to give you strength through His Word. Yet also remember the importance of obedience. Doing what He commands you to do always leads to blessing.
8:13 — “I will save you that you may become a blessing.”
God blesses us so that we might be a blessing to others. Though Israel and Judah had suffered many years of hardship and suffering, the Lord would turn everything around for them and give them a time of peace and blessing. God had promised Abram, “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen 12:3). The Lord had not forgotten His covenant with His faithful servant, and here, He renews His pledge saying, “In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you’” (Zech. 8:23). God fulfilled His promise through Abraham’s seed—the Lord Jesus (Gal. 3:6–29). Likewise, He wants us to function as a conduit of blessing to those around us and lead others to faith in Christ as well.
9:9 — Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey.
This prophecy was fulfilled 500 years later with Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1–11; John 12:12–16). Our humble Savior rode a donkey, showing His rightful, royal status as the kingly Messiah and David’s heir (1 Kin. 1:33). This is why the people greeted Him by saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD; hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9; Hosanna means “save us” or “praise to You”). How could we not praise, worship, and gladly welcome such a glorious King?
9:16 — The LORD their God will save them in that day as the flock of His people.
God is our loving Shepherd, ready and eager to rescue us from the vicious enemies and troubles that would otherwise overwhelm us (Ps. 23; 28:9; Is. 40:10, 11; Ezek. 34:11–31; John 10:11, 14; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4; Rev. 7:17).
10:6 — “I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back.”
Here, God promises to restore both Judah (the southern kingdom) and Joseph (or Israel, the northern kingdom). We also know from Ezekiel 37:15–28 that the Lord would merge the two into one nation in the Land of Promise (which was fulfilled on May 14, 1948) and would eventually reunite them forever under one King—the Messiah, our Lord Jesus. Even in judgment, God shows mercy. He does not desire to punish or cast aside anyone, but in love calls everyone to repentance and life (Ezek. 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).
10:12 — “I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.
God wants us to become His representatives in the world—living testimonies of His love, grace, mercy, and holiness. However, the only way for that to happen is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.
11:13 — The LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.”
Judas Iscariot fulfilled this prophecy when he betrayed the Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14–16; 27:1–10), which was the amount paid for a slave that had been gored to death by an ox (Ex. 21:32). In this, the Lord revealed how the religious leaders of the day really viewed Him—the “magnificent price” was a reflection of their insulting rejection of the One True God.
12:1 — The LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.
The same God who designed and created the vast universe around you, who devised and fashioned the earth you live on, also molded and shaped you. He knows you inside out—and wants you to know Him.
12:10 — “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced.”
This prophecy first saw its fulfillment during Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given to indwell believers (Acts 2). However, it also foretells a future time when the world finally understands that Jesus is the one true everlasting King (Zech. 12:8–14; 14:9; also Is. 45:22–25; Joel 2:28–32; Rom. 14:10–12; Phil. 2:9–11; Rev. 11:15). What a day that will be!
13:1 — “In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity.”
Psalm 36:9 tells us, “With You is the fountain of life.” And truly, the Lord is our source of salvation and our spring of living water, overflowing with mercy and grace (John 4:10). Revelation 22:17 beckons, “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” Have you been washed clean of your sin and impurity? Have you accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior?
13:7 — “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate.”
Think of it: the Lord called for the sword against His Son, Jesus Christ. He planned the events of the Cross; He willingly bruised His only Son (Is. 53:10; Acts 4:27, 28). And He did it for you—so that you can be reconciled to God and will have the opportunity to enjoy His fellowship forever (Rom. 5:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:18, 19).
14:5 — The LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!
Did you know that the Bible contains almost three times as many prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Christ as it does for His First Advent? Here, Zechariah describes the time when Jesus will come to judge the nations. Matthew 25:31, 32 explains, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (also Rev. 19:11–21). Jesus is coming again, friend, and He wants you to be ready (Matt. 24:44).
14:8 — In that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem.
The living water of the Lord Jesus brings eternal life (John 4:10; Rev. 22:17). Here, Zechariah pictures the day when the gospel would flow like a river—east, west, and all over the world—washing away the sins of all who partake of it in faith (Heb. 10:22).
14:9 — In that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one.
One day, the Lord says, “To Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance” (Is. 45:23)—and they shall all say, “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:11).