Zechariah

Visions and messages that encourage the returned exiles to rebuild. Zechariah looks ahead to a humble king riding on a donkey, a pierced one mourned by his people, and the Lord reigning over all the earth.

Author

The prophet Zechariah

Written

From 520 BC

Chapters

1. 1Zechariah 1“Return to me, and I will return to you.” A vision of horsemen patrolling the earth, and God’s mercy on Jerusalem.
2. 2Zechariah 2A man measures Jerusalem, but God will be a wall of fire around it and the glory within it.
3. 3Zechariah 3The high priest Joshua stands in filthy clothes, accused by Satan. God removes his sin and clothes him in clean garments, and promises his servant, the Branch.
4. 4Zechariah 4A lampstand and two olive trees: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” Don’t despise the day of small things.
5. 5Zechariah 5A flying scroll and a woman in a basket: wickedness is removed from the land.
6. 6Zechariah 6Four chariots go out across the earth. Joshua the priest is crowned as a picture of the Branch who will build the Lord’s temple.
7. 7Zechariah 7The people ask about fasting. God wants justice, mercy and compassion rather than empty ritual.
8. 8Zechariah 8God will return to Zion. Old people will sit in the streets and children will play, and people from every nation will seek the Lord.
9. 9Zechariah 9“Rejoice greatly, daughter Zion! Your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey.”
10. 10Zechariah 10God will care for his people like a shepherd and bring them home.
11. 11Zechariah 11The good shepherd is rejected and paid thirty pieces of silver.
12. 12Zechariah 12Jerusalem will be defended. “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and mourn for him.”
13. 13Zechariah 13A fountain will be opened to cleanse sin. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”
14. 14Zechariah 14The day of the Lord: the Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives and be king over all the earth.