Zechariah | Resources
Introduction to Zechariah
Zechariah prophesied to a group of discouraged Israelites, announcing that it was a new day for God’s chosen people. He sought to inspire those who had returned from captivity to rebuild the temple and rededicate their lives to the Lord. The message of encouragement involved surrealistic visions and vivid poetic images, focused on a reversal of God’s judgment, and called for a reversal of the people’s behavior.
D. Brent Sandy, “Zechariah,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1449.
Memory Verse
“So he answered me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord of Armies.’” Zechariah 4:6 (CSB)
Bible Reading
Take time to engage with God’s Word this week. Answer these questions: What is the main idea of this passage? What’s something that stood out? How does this passage point to Jesus? How can I live out what I read?
– Day 1 — Zechariah 1–3
– Day 2 — Zechariah 4–6
– Day 3 — Zechariah 7–9
– Day 4 — Zephaniah 10–12
– Day 5 — Zechariah 13–14
Discussion/Reflection Questions
1) Summarize the story that is being told.
2) Zechariah’s mission was to call the people to repent and to assure them of God’s concern. Why is it essential that the people receive both emphases?
3) What are some of the positive results of going through trials? How have you seen these in your life?
4) What does this book teach us about God, ourselves, or the gospel?
5) How is the Holy Spirit prompting you to repent or obey?
Devotional
My stepmother celebrated her 90th birthday this year. Unfortunately, I was the only one of her six kids that forgot to call her. I checked in a week late, and I could feel her pain that I had forgotten her. Fortunately, her pain was short-lived when she realized I had ordered a couple of chicken pot pies from KFC and that DoorDash would soon knock on her door. I may have forgotten her birthday, but I was the only one who remembered her affection for KFC.
It was a good reminder that no one likes to be forgotten. It’s true about us, and it was true about the Israelites.
There is significance in the meaning behind Zechariah, “God remembers.” It’s appropriate since so much of the book tells of the hope that God would remember His promises to His people. The people of Judah returned from their 70 years of exile in Babylon. It would have been easy for them to believe that God had forgotten them and that the promises of a coming Messiah were empty. Through a series of eight visions, he anticipated the temple’s completion and the Messiah’s future reign. He reminded us that God hadn’t forgotten his mandate to flee sin, nor did He forget that the people would be cleansed and restored.
God didn’t forget Israel. He didn’t forget Judah. And God hasn’t forgotten us.
The next time you feel lonely and forgotten, remember God remembers you. He has a plan and is working it out in His time. Be patient, and if it helps, go out and get a chicken pot pie!