DOCSLIB.ORG

The Book of Zechariah

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Book of Zechariah The Book of Zechariah Study – 1 May 20th 2012 2 Peter 1:19-21 (New King James Version) 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Minor Prophets - Introduction • Origin of the Prophetic Office (Deuteronomy 18:15-22) • This title originated in Augustine’s time (late fourth century A.D.) • Minor only in that they are each shorter than the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel (called “major prophets”) not in Importance • ‘The Twelve’ – a single book Old Testament Prophesy – View of the future Minor Prophets – Outline • Basic Ingredients – warning of impending judgment because of the nations’ sinfulness – a description of the sin – a description of the coming judgment – a call for repentance – a promise of future deliverance. • Divisions – They use an introductory or concluding formula like “This is what the Lord says…” Minor Prophets – Themes Prophet Meaning of name Theme Hosea Salvation God’s love for Israel Joel Jehovah is God Day of the LORD Amos Burden bearer Righteousness of God Obadiah Servant of Jehovah Destruction of Edom Jonah Dove God’s love for the nations Micah Who is like the Lord? Wrath of God upon Samaria & Jerusalem Nahum Consolation The Destruction of Nineveh Habakkuk Embrace Problems of faith Zephaniah Jehovah hides Day of the Lord Haggai Festive Rebuilding of the temple Zechariah Whom Jehovah remembers God’s program in history Malachi My messenger Formal worship 931 BC 722 BC 586 BC 209 Years Israel Jeroboam ---Hoshea Assyrian Captivity David Ezra Nehemiah Solomon Haggai 70 Malachi Yrs Judah Rehoboam ---Ahaz ---Zedekiah Zechariah 345 Years Babylonian Captivity Chronology Uncertain 8th Century 7th Century 6th Century 5th Century • Obadiah • Jonah • Zephaniah • Haggai • Malachi • Joel • Amos • Nahum • Zechariah • Hosea • Habakkuk • Daniel • Micah • Jeremiah • Ezekiel • Isaiah Zechariah – Who Wrote the Book • Author – Zechariah – God remember – Berechiah – God blesses – Iddo – At the appointed time – God remembers, God blesses, at the appointed time – Neh 12:4,16 - Iddo was head of the priestly families coming back from exile – Zechariah, like Ezekiel and Jeremiah is Prophet and Priest • Multiple author theory – no justification for this • Christ as God's Servant (3:8); the Branch (3:8; 6:12); the Stone (3:9); the King (9:9); the Shepherd (13:7) Zechariah – When Was It Written 520 – 480 B.C. – Jerusalem – Post Exilic (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) – BC 536 - Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a decree authorizing exiles to return – The first contingent returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 1 – 6). – A second contingent returned under the leadership of Ezra (Ezra 7 – 10). – 50-60 years elapsed between the two (Esther events took place during this time). – Ezra - rebuilding of the temple Nehemiah - rebuilding of the city wall. – The sad conditions set out in Nehemiah 13 had deteriorated still further by the time Malachi began to write Zechariah – Why Was It Written • Backdrop – Ezra 4.24-5.1 - Temple work ceased till 2nd yr of Darius. Zechariah, with Haggai, was deeply involved with the rebuilding of the temple with no confusion or collision between them. – Hag. 1. 1 - Haggai preached his first message 'in the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month‘ - 24 days later, the Jews recommenced rebuilding the temple. – Hag. 2. 1 – 4 weeks later, Haggai delivered his second message – Zech. 1. 1 - In the next month, God called Zechariah to confirm and supplement Haggai's preaching,. – Hag. 2. 10 - The following month saw Haggai back in action. – Zech 1.7 - Two months later, it was Zechariah's turn again, in the ninth month – Zech 7.1 – Two Years later • Theme Present – the people needed constant encouragement and help in the work of rebuilding Future – final fulfillment of God's purposes for Israel – Old Testament prophets addressed the present in the light of the future. – Zechariah therefore describes the still future glory of Jerusalem (chapters 6. 13-15 and 14. 20-21) Zechariah – Key Ch1vs2,3 (Punctuated by ‘Lord of Hosts’) – Section 1: An angry God calls for repentance (1:1-6) – Section 2: Return to me (1:7 – 6:15) – Section 3: I will return to you (7:1 – 14:21) An angry God calls for repentance (1:1-6) The Lord of Hosts('the Lord of sabaoth‘ - Romans 9.29 and James 5.4),Dan 4.35,1 Sam1.3 (first time) – His power to bless (1.3) Mal 3.10 – His power to judge(1.6) The Fathers – They displeased God (1.2)- Apostle Paul - 'Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him (well-pleasing unto Him, R.V.) – They disregarded God (1.4) - Our Lord Jesus said, 'Take heed therefore how ye hear', Luke 8. 18 – They were judged by God (1.5) - died in disgrace and defeat – They acknowledged God (1.6) The Prophets – They cried (1.4) - Acts 18. 5, where 'pressed in spirit' means, 'constrained by the word', R.V. – They ceased (1.5) - the messenger passes off the scene, but the message remains – They were commanded (1.6) The Word of God – God appeals through His word (1.3) – God warns through His word (1.4) – God is faithful to His word (1.6) Eight Night Visions (Zechariah 1:7-6:15) Chiastic Pattern 1. Waiting in the Calm Before the International Storm 1:7-17 2. Watching the Nations Punish One Another 1:18-21 3. Expecting the Glory of God on Earth 2: 1-13 4. Symbolizing the Removal of Sin All in One Day 3:1-10 5. Receiving God's Spirit for Doing His Work 4:1-14 6. Purging Evil From Israel 5:1-4 7. Removing Wickedness From Israel 5:5-11 8. Executing Judgment on the Gentile Nations 6:1-15 Typical flow of each vision • Begins with what Zechariah "saw" • Followed by the question "what are these [or, "What does this mean"]?" • Concludes with an explanation by the interpreting angel, "Then the angel of the LORD answered and said. .“ • Whilst their symbolism has been interpreted in different ways, the message of each vision is clear • They needed all the encouragement available, and they needed the assurance that God had not forgotten His people, nor cancelled His purposes for them. First vision of Zechariah(1:7-17) What Zechariah saw: • A man riding on a red horse • standing among myrtle trees • Red, speckled & white horses behind What had they done? • Patrol the earth • Brought news of the nations at ease Man riding on a red horse • ‘Angel of the Lord’ - Zech 1.10-11 • Appearance in OT at times of crisis • He is identified with God - Gen16. 7-14; Ex 3.1-14; Ex 23. 20-23; Josh 5.13-15; Judges 6. 12-14. • He is described as 'the angel of His presence' (literally, 'of His face') in Isaiah 63.9. • Hagar, Abraham and Jacob all describe Him as God, Gen. 16. 13,22. 11-14, 48. 15-16. • He accepted sacrifices offered to God, Judg. 6. 17-24; 13. 3-23. • 'the angel of the Lord' - is the Lord Jesus Christ. Standing among the myrtle trees • The myrtle is an evergreen tree • Used as a symbol for Israel in happy and prosperous times, Isa. 41. 19, Isa. 55. 13 • 'Hadassah' - Esther 2. 7 - means 'myrtle'. • The myrtle grove in the vision represents God's people, but not here in very happy conditions. In the bottom • The picture is a glen or hollow - a dark valley. • The lowest part of the Kidron valley outside Jerusalem, where there was once a garden, 2 Kings. 25. 4. • The word 'bottom' means a 'a shady place' • Describes the position of these newly-returned exiles. • But standing among them is the angel of the Lord. • The first practical lesson - encouragement to them • To us as well - lsa. 43. 2, Hebrews 13. 5-6. Red, Speckled, White Horses • Similarities with John’s vision in Revelation 6 (John sees horses of white, red, black and pale) • Behind the 'man riding upon a red horse'. He is their Leader. • Zech 1.10-11 The riders were angels. 'These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth'. • A patrol is reporting. 'We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.‘ • A second lesson emerges. The whole world is under divine surveillance. 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth', 2 Chron. 16. 9. Nothing escapes His gaze. The message from God (1.12-17) • Hag. 2. 7, 22 - God had said through Haggai, 'I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come .... I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms',. But nothing was happening - 'all the earth sitteth still and is at rest'. • 'the angel of the Lord' is with us and also intercedes for them: 'O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem?' • We too have a Representative in heaven. 'Christ is ... entered ... into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us', Heb. 9. 24. • The message is made up of 'good words and comfortable (consoling) words', v.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Notes on Zechariah 202 1 Edition Dr
    Notes on Zechariah 202 1 Edition Dr. Thomas L. Constable TITLE AND WRITER The title of this book comes from its traditional writer, as is true of all the prophetical books of the Old Testament. The name "Zechariah" (lit. "Yahweh Remembers") was a common one among the Israelites, which identified at least 27 different individuals in the Old Testament, perhaps 30.1 It was an appropriate name for the writer of this book, because it explains that Yahweh remembers His chosen people, and His promises, and will be faithful to them. This Zechariah was the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo (1:1, 7; cf. Ezra 5:1; 6:14; Neh. 12:4, 16). Zechariah, like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, was both a prophet and a priest. He was obviously familiar with priestly things (cf. ch. 3; 6:9-15; 9:8, 15; 14:16, 20, 21). Since he was a young man (Heb. na'ar) when he began prophesying (2:4), he was probably born in Babylonian captivity and returned to Palestine very early in life, in 536 B.C. with Zerubbabel and Joshua. Zechariah apparently survived Joshua, the high priest, since he became the head of his own division of priests in the days of Joiakim, the son of Joshua (Neh. 12:12, 16). Zechariah became a leading priest in the restoration community succeeding his grandfather (or ancestor), Iddo, who also returned from captivity in 536 B.C., as the leader of his priestly family (Neh. 12:4, 16). Zechariah's father, Berechiah (1:1, 7), evidently never became prominent.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Biblical Prophecy?
    What is Biblical Prophecy? What Biblical Prophecy is NOT, and What It Really IS: Contrary to what many fundamentalist preachers or late-night radio hosts would have you believe, biblical prophecy is not primarily about “predicting the future” or finding clues in the Bible that correspond to people or events in our own day and age! The prophets of Ancient Israel did not look into some kind of crystal ball and see events happening thousands of years after their own lifetimes. The books they wrote do not contain hidden coded messages for people living in the 20th or 21st centuries! Rather, biblical prophets were mainly speaking to and writing for the people of their own time. They were challenging people of their own world, especially their political rulers, to remain faithful to God’s commandments and/or to repent and turn back to God if they had strayed. They were conveying messages from God, who had called or commissioned them, rather than speaking on their own initiative or authority. However, because the biblical prophets were transmitting messages on behalf of God (as Jews and Christians believe), much of what they wrote for their own time is clearly also relevant for people living in the modern world. The overall message of faith and repentance is timeless and applicable in all ages and cultures. To understand what biblical prophecy really is, let’s look more closely at the origins, definitions, and uses of some key biblical words. In the Hebrew Bible, the word for “prophet” is usually nabi’ (lit. “spokesperson”; used over 300 times!), while the related feminine noun nebi’ah (“prophetess”) occurs only rarely.
    [Show full text]
  • A Brand (Stick) Plucked (Taken, Rescued) from the Fire
    Easy Reading Edition 9 May 21–27 A Brand (Stick) Plucked (Taken, Rescued) From the Fire SABBATH—MAY 21 READ FOR THIS WEEK’S LESSON: Zechariah 1–3; Revelation 12:10; Exodus 3:2–14; Ephesians 2:8–10; John 14:15. MEMORY VERSE: “I have taken your sin away. I will put fine clothes on you” (Zechariah 3:4, NIrV). WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT THE GREAT CONTROVERSY (WAR) BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN IS VERY REAL IN OUR LIVES. Wars, crime, riots, rebellions (uprisings), and human suffering are just visible (things that can be seen) examples of the great war that began in heaven (Revelation 12:7). This great struggle touches upon all creation (Romans 8:20–22). We also must never forget that the great controversy is not over Middle East oil or over geographic, political, and economic changes in the world. It is over the salvation of the human race, one soul at a time. Nations come and go. Governments come and go. Grand themes of history and philosophy (study of truth) come and go. Only those people who are covered by the robe of Christ’s righteousness will last forever. Satan does not care about money, power, or politics. He cares only about taking as many souls down to ruin with him as pos- sible. Through His death, Christ has made it possible to save everyone from that ruin. The important issue of the great controversy is people choosing eternal ruin or eternal life. Nothing else in this life is as important. 61 Lesson 9 A BRAND (STICK) PLUCKED (TAKEN, RESCUED) FROM THE FIRE SUNDAY—MAY 22 EAGER FOR JERUSALEM (Zechariah 1; Zechariah 2) Read Zechariah 1 and 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Zechariah in Revelation
    Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament • 2. Reihe Herausgeber/Editor Jörg Frey Mitherausgeber / Associate Editors Friedrich Avemarie • Judith Gundry-Volf Martin Hengel • Otfried Hofius • Hans-Josef Klauck 199 Marko Jauhiainen The Use of Zechariah in Revelation Mohr Siebeck MARKO JAUHIAINEN, born 1967; 1993 M.Sc. Tampere University; 2000 M.C.S Regent College; 2004 Ph.D. Cambridge University; currently Systems Analyst at Tampere Polytechnic. ISBN 3-16-148663-3 ISSN 0340-9570 (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe) Die Deutsche Bibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliographie; detailed bibliographic data is available in the Internet at http://dnb.ddb.de. © 2005 Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, Germany. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that permitted by copyright law) without the publisher's written permission. This applies particularly to reproductions, translations, microfilms and storage and processing in electronic systems. The book was printed by Druckpartner Rübelmann GmbH in Hemsbach on non-aging paper and bound by Buchbinderei Schaumann in Darmstadt. Printed in Germany. Preface This book is a revised version of my doctoral thesis, '"Behold, I Am Coming': The Use of Zechariah in Revelation", submitted to the University of Cambridge for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in July 2003. The revision consists primarily of addressing and clarifying some of the issues raised by my doctoral examiners, Drs. James Carlton-Paget and Steve Moyise. Their constructive comments were valuable, even at points where I have chosen to follow a different path. I am sincerely thankful to Prof. Jorg Frey, editor of WUNT 2, who deemed the manuscript worthy of being published in the series.
    [Show full text]
  • The Structure of Zechariah 8 and Its Meaning
    Journal of Hebrew Scriptures Volume 12, Article 12 DOI:10.5508/jhs.2012.v12.a12 The Structure of Zechariah 8 and Its Meaning ELIE ASSIS Articles in JHS are being indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, RAMBI, and BiBIL. Their abstracts appear in Religious and Theological Abstracts. The journal is arch ived by Library and Archives Canada and is accessible for consultation and research at the Electronic Collection site maintained by Library and Archives Canada. ISSN 1203–1542 http://www.jhsonline.org and http://purl.org/jhs THE STRUCTURE OF ZECHARIAH 8 AND ITS MEANING ELIE ASSIS, BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY Chapters 1–8 and 9–14 of Zechariah are considered by most scholars today to be two separate prophetic books; only chs. 1–8 are attributed to the post-exilic time of the beginning of the 5th century BCE1 Most scholars believe that Zech 7–8 should be regarded as one unit. This conviction is based mainly on the fact that 8:19 is the prophet’s answer to the people’s question in 7:1–3 as to whether fasting for the destruction of the Temple should be continued even after its construction had begun.2 This approach is based on two main arguments, the first of which is formal, and the second of which concerns content. The formal argument is that 7:1 opens with a new formula that includes a date, as do 1:1 and 1:7. The second argument is that the people’s question to the priests in 7:3 is answered in 8:19.
    [Show full text]
  • Haggai and Zechariah 1-8: Diarchic Model of Leadership in a Rebuilding Phase
    http://scriptura.journals.ac.za/ Scriptura 102 (2009), pp. 579-593 HAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH 1-8: DIARCHIC MODEL OF LEADERSHIP IN A REBUILDING PHASE Danie O’Kennedy Old and New Testament University of Stellenbosch Abstract Yahwists in the post-exilic community in Jerusalem envisioned their future in diverse ways. The books of Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 emphasize that in a rebuilding phase God does not merely use a holy place but also special leaders. These books advocate a diarchic model of leadership in which the responsibilities are shared by a religious leader (Joshua) and a political leader (Zerubbabel). This article focuses on this diarchic model of leadership and offers possible responses to the following questions: What do we know of these two leaders? Why did Joshua need purification (Zech 3)? Who was the most influential leader or was there a balance of leadership? Was there conflict between these leaders? The article concludes with a comparison between the diarchic model of leadership in the post-exilic community in Jerusalem and leadership in the first years of a new democratic South Africa. Keywords: Haggai, Zechariah 1-8, Joshua, Zerubbabel, Leadership Introduction Birch et al. (1999:423-424) discuss the diverse ways in which Yahwists in the post-exilic community1 envisioned their future. According to them Haggai, Ezekiel 40-48 and Zechariah 1-8 (either Proto-Zechariah or First Zechariah)2 present the most concrete options. Ezekiel’s restoration vision represents a belief that Israel should be a hierocracy, a nation ruled by priests. Haggai seems to believe in the restoration of the Davidic monarchy through Zerubbabel, a member of the Davidic house.
    [Show full text]
  • The Book of Zechariah Prophecies for Today !
    THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH PROPHECIES FOR TODAY ! ABOUT THE COVER The Book of Zechariah contains many gloomy prophecies for the immedi- ate future of mankind, prior to Christ’s Return, but it also has much to say about the Messiah’s rule on and over this earth during the Millennium. At that time, there will be a physical temple in Jerusalem, and people all over the world will live in prosperity, peace and happiness. This booklet is a free educational service, provided by the “Global Church of God” in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the “Church of the Eternal God” in the United States of America and the “Church of God, a Christian Fellowship” in Canada. Printed in England 2009. This booklet is not to be sold. Scriptures in the booklet are quoted from the New King James version ((c)1988 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers) unless otherwise noted. Author: Norbert Link, with additional material provided by David Harris. Editorial Review Team: Norbert Link, David Harris, Rene Messier, Brian Gale, Wray Zehrung, Bill Koeneke, Phyllis Bourque, Margaret Adair, Joan R. Pope and Johanna Link Graphic Design: Shelly Bruno; Cover Image: Shelly Bruno/Bigstockphoto.com Contents Introduction ..............................................................1 Historical Background ............................................1 Who Wrote the Book? ...........................................3 Part 1 The Nine Visions of Zechariah .............................5 The First Vision The Horses ..........................................5 A World at Rest .....................................................7
    [Show full text]
  • Visions in the Night
    NOVEMBER 1, 2015 ANONYMOUS SPOKESMEN ZECHARIAH PASTOR JIM LARSON CAMARILLO EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH Visions in the Night “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6 (NIV) AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR DEFEATED PEOPLE ‐ October/November 520 B.C. (Messages of Haggai, 8/29/520 B.C.; 10/17; 11/18) God often gives similar messages from varied sources in the same time frame to reinforce his message. Religious activity can never replace a heart for God. IMPORTANT VISIONS THAT MOTIVATED CONTINUED WORK Zechariah’s eight night visions Horses and Myrtles (1:7‐17) Israel blessed and restored Horns and Craftsmen (1:18‐20) The punishers punished The city walled only by God; protected and The Measuring Line (2:1‐13) prosperous; enemies vanquished High Priest in Clean Clothes (3:1‐10) External and internal deliverance Lampstand and Olive Trees (4:1‐14) God’s Spirit, not man’s power the key to success Flying Scroll (5:1‐4) The pure justice of God on unrepentant evildoers Woman in a Basket (5:5‐11) The removal of sin and rebellion – God’s forgiveness Four Chariots (6:1‐8) The God’s sovereignty; his will prevails 1 Two visions to bring it home The Priest and his Garments (Zech 3) A desire to change can’t undo the past; there must be forgiveness. God’s forgiveness is rooted in the sacrifice of a single day. Our forgiveness by God implies a new reason for living.
    [Show full text]
  • Joshua the High Priest and the Interpretation of Zechariah 3
    Joshua the High Priest and the Interpretation of Zechariah 3 JAMES C. VANDERKAM University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46556 TkE PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH are one of the most important sources for reconstructing the status of the high priest at the time of the return to Zion. Joshua, the first to hold the office after the exile, is mentioned in Ezra as a leader of the first group that returned to Jerusalem (2:2 = Neh 7:7; 1 Esdr 5:5, 8). Ezra 3:2 further identifies him as a son of Jozadak, who was in turn the son of the last reigning high priest of the first temple (2 Kgs 25:18; 1 Chr 6:15; Jer 52:24). Joshua himself is never given the title high priest in Ezra—a fact which is in harmony with the tendency of the book to avoid titles.1 Among the activities of Joshua, the book notes that he participated in constructing the altar, that he offered sacrifices on it, joined in starting construction of the second temple, and played a role at least at the beginning of the successful drive to complete the structure (3:1-13; 5:1-2; 1 Esdr 5:47-58; 6:1-2). Strangely, he does not figure in the celebratory passage about the dedication of the temple (6:15-22; 1 Esdr 7:4-15). His only other appearance in Ezra is in 10:18 (1 Esdr 9:19), where it is reported that some of his descendants married foreign women whom they agreed to expel under heavy pressure from Ezra.
    [Show full text]
  • Minor Prophets Fall, 2014
    HB 750: Minor Prophets Fall, 2014 Instructor: Paul Kim Werner Hall 218 (By appointment preferred) (740) 363-1146 email: [email protected] website: http://www.mtso.edu/pkim COURSE DESCRIPTION In this course we will study the twelve minor prophets (Hosea ~ Malachi) in light of historical, canonical, and theological perspectives. Primary attention will be given to the interpretation of selected texts with regard to their socio-historical environments, to the intertextual correlation within the book and the canon, and to their theological implications for the life of the church and contemporary issues in a global context. OBJECTIVES With regard to several focal goals, through this course, we intend to: Read closely the entire twelve prophets in English at least once in this course; Engage in the exegetical practices of select texts from the twelve prophets; Become familiar with the contents, backgrounds, and scholarly issues; Become enamored with the “major” messages of these “minor” prophets; Make a conscientious effort of applying biblical texts toward preaching & ministry. TEXTBOOKS Required: Terence E. Fretheim, Reading Hosea – Micah: A Literary and Theological Commentary (Macon, Ga.: Smyth & Helwys, 2013) James D. Nogalski, The Book of the Twelve: Hosea – Jonah (Macon, Ga.: Smyth & Helwys, 2011) James D. Nogalski, The Book of the Twelve: Micah – Malachi (Macon, Ga.: Smyth & Helwys, 2011) Recommended: John Goldingay and Pamela Scalise, Minor Prophets II (Understanding the Bible Commentary Series; Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2009) Daniel Berrigan, Minor Prophets: Major Themes (Eugene, Ore.: Wipf & Stock, 2009) Ronald L. Troxel, Prophetic Literature: From Oracles to Books (Oxford: Wiley- Blackwell, 2012) 2 REQUIREMENTS 1. Faithful Attendance and Participation in All Sessions: assigned readings should be done prior to each class session and students should be prepared to discuss the issues raised in the readings.
    [Show full text]
  • Zechariah 4/9/07 12:26 PM Page Iii
    Phillips, Zechariah 4/9/07 12:26 PM Page iii Zechariah R ICHARD D. PHILLIPS R Phillips, Zechariah 4/9/07 12:26 PM Page iv © 2007 by Richard D. Phillips All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—except for brief quotations for the purpose of review or comment, without the prior permission of the publisher, P&R Publishing Company, P.O. Box 817, Phillips- burg, New Jersey 08865-0817. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Italics within Scripture quotations indicate emphasis added. Page design by Lakeside Design Plus Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Phillips, Richard D. (Richard Davis), 1960– Zechariah / Richard D. Phillips. p. cm. — (Reformed expository commentary) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-59638-028-8 (cloth) ISBN-10: 1-59638-028-4 (cloth) 1. Bible. O.T. Zechariah—Commentaries. I. Title. BS1665.53.P45 2007 224'.98077—dc22 2006101519 Phillips, Zechariah 4/9/07 12:26 PM Page v To Sinclair B. Ferguson, Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., William S. Barker, William Edgar, and my other teachers in divinity and pastoral ministry at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia With thanks for their zeal for truth, reverence for God’s Word, and love for Christ and to The Lord Jesus Christ, “The Branch .
    [Show full text]
  • Jesus in Zechariah Part 1 Zechariah 1-8 16021-D March 13, 2016
    Jesus in Zechariah Part 1 Zechariah 1-8 16021-D March 13, 2016 I. Jesus was always giving people hope. Not just pep talks, but real hope for the future. A. There was a sense when you were with Him that everything was going to be OK. B. Yet, he told the absolute truth, even when it was not warm and fuzzy. (Lk.14:25ff) C. That’s why even when they were confused, they stayed with him. Jn.6:68 II. Zechariah brought a strong message of hope. A. The Prophet: A.1. A priest as well as a prophet, like Jeremiah & Ezekiel, A.1.a) Descendant of Iddo, one of the priests that came from Persia A.1.b) Zechariah may have been born in captivity A.1.c) Younger than Haggai A.2. Primarily interested in the internal and spiritual motivations of the people, where Haggai was concerned with just getting going on the project. A.2.a) Both approaches were and are needed. B. The Circumstances in 520 BC. Discouragement and distraction. B.1. The people were discouraged (Ezra/Nehemiah) B.1.a) They had come back from Babylon (not all, but many, some 50,000) in 538-7 BC. B.1.b) But initial enthusiasm had given way to struggle in the face of political and economic stress. Struggling community of faith in 520 BC, rag-tag, discouraged pioneers. (B.1.b.1) Without consensus (some were not into the project) (B.1.b.2) Without a temple—the central relational connection with YHWH (B.1.b.3) Without a serious identity in the surrounding world (no respect) (B.1.b.4) Without confidence in God’s blessing -- Feeling guilty: (B.1.b.5) Without a clear understanding of the difference between Babylonian life and Covenant life in the Land.
    [Show full text]