Read the Passage: Zechariah 9-14
Arrival and Restoration (9:1–10:12)
Zech. 9–14 are the most challenging chapters in this book to interpret, as in this section Zechariah records two prophecies about the appearance of the promised Messiah. Note that these eschatological chapters contain several passages that are directly applied to Jesus in the New Testament (cf. Zech. 9:9; 11:12–13; 12:10; 13:7). The two distinct prophecies about the arrival of Christ are found in Zech. 9:1–11:17 and Zech. 12:1–14:21. The first prophecy begins with judgment being announced against the nations that surrounded Israel (cf. Zech. 9:1–7). Next, God promised to protect His people as the Messiah would arrive in peace, riding on a donkey (cf. Zech. 9:8–10). As is sometimes true in Messianic prophecies, in this passage Zechariah mentions details about both Jesus’ first arrival (cf. Zech. 9:9, 11), and about Christ’s second coming (cf. Zech. 9:12, 17).
In Zech. 10:1–12 God reveals facts about the restoration of His people. This passage applies to the original readers of this text, to those who follow Christ, and to those whom God will restore at His second coming. In this passage God notes that He is the one who provides for His people, not dumb idols or false shepherds (cf. Zech. 10:1–4). In Zech. 10:5–8 God speaks in lofty terms to describe the restoration of Isreal, saying, “They shall be as though I had not cast them aside. . . . They shall increase as they once increased” (Zech. 10:6, 8). Next, in language reminiscent of his earlier prophecies in Zech. 8:20–23, God records that the scattered people will be gathered from all nations unto Himself (cf. Zech. 10:8–10). This will occur, writes Zechariah, for God will remove every obstacle from their path and God will give strength to those who follow Him (cf. Zech. 10:11–12).
Rejection and Judgment (11:1–17)
Zechariah 11 presents a symbolic drama about Israel’s rejection of their true Shepherd, as well as the resulting judgment. This chapter moves from devastation, to the rejection of the faithful and true Shepherd, and finally to the rise of a foolish and abusive shepherd. This chapter begins in Zech. 11:1–3 with a description of the destruction of Israel. Next, Zechariah assumes the role of a shepherd who possesses two staffs, Beauty (or Grace or Favor) and Bonds (or Unity or Union), which symbolize the blessings God has given to His people (cf. Zech. 11:4–14). Both of these staffs are then broken, symbolizing the people’s rejection of their Shepherd, and God’s judicial rejection of them. Finally, in Zech. 11:15–17, God appoints a foolish shepherd over His people, which is what the people implicitly choose in rejecting Him. The foolish shepherd is then judged by God.
Deliverance and Cleansing (12:1–14:21)
12:1f Zechariah’s second prophecy about the coming of the Messiah is found in Zech. 12:1–14:21. This prophecy begins in Zech. 12:1–9 with God describing the destruction of Jerusalem and then its restoration. Writing about future victory of Israel, God declares, “The one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them” (Zech. 12:8). Next, in Zech. 12:10–14, God describes Israel’s future recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. In this passage Zechariah writes, “And I will pour on the house of David . . . the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” The mourning here seems to be a lament over having rejected Christ at His first coming.
Zech. 13:1–9 describes the cleansing and purifying of the land, as well as God’s people once they return to Him. This passage seems to be describing a Jewish revival prior to the return of Jesus, as there still remains false prophets who will deny their identity and vocation (cf. Zech. 13:3–6). As is the case with several of the other prophets—including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Zephaniah, and Malachi—so Zechariah writes about the “day of the Lord” in Zech. 14. In this chapter Zechariah gives details about the arrival of God (cf. Zech. 14:1–5), the establishment of God’s kingdom (cf. Zech. 14:6–11), and God’s judgment upon the nations (cf. Zech. 14:12–15). Finally, in Zech. 14:16–21, God reveals that all the nations will gather to worship Him (cf. Zech. 14:16–19), and the entire earth will be consecrated to the Lord (cf. Zech. 14:20–21).
Application Questions:
- If Israel was awaiting the arrival of Christ, what are the main reasons why they rejected Jesus as the Messiah?
- What is the goal of prophetic and eschatological literature? How can this genre of literature been misunderstood?
- In what ways is the picture of a shepherd an appropriate image to convey God’s care for His people?
- Will believers feel guilt, regret, or sadness in God’s presence on the new heavens and new earth?
- Why does God allow His people to suffer and to be afflicted before He rescues them and establishes His kingdom?
