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1:1 This superscription, or introductory statement, classifies the book of Zechariah as an oracle, an authoritative message inspired by God. The prophet Zechariah was God’s emissary, designated to speak with God’s authority. • King Darius’s reign (521–486 BC) was in the early years of the Persian Empire (539–331 BC).
1:10 Patrol suggests the angelic riders’ ongoing scrutiny of the earth.
1:11 The man sitting on a red horse among the myrtle trees (1:8) is called the angel of the Lord (cp. Gen 16:7-13; Exod 23:23; 32:34; Judg 13:21-22).
1:14 My love . . . is passionate and strong: This phrase, sometimes translated as “I am very jealous,” reflects intense, single-minded devotion that could produce hatred and envy or zeal and devotion. God is jealous—as the one true and living God, he has exclusive rights to his creatures’ worship (see Exod 20:5; 34:14). • Jerusalem signifies the territories...
1:14 My love . . . is passionate and strong: This phrase, sometimes translated as “I am very jealous,” reflects intense, single-minded devotion that could produce hatred and envy or zeal and devotion. God is jealous—as the one true and living God, he has exclusive rights to his creatures’ worship (see Exod 20:5; 34:14). • Jerusalem signifies the territories ruled by Judean kings; Mount Zion was the site of the Lord’s Temple.
genesis 16:7-13
exodus 20:5
exodus 23:23
exodus 32:34
exodus 34:14
deuteronomy 28:15-68
judges 13:21-22
1 samuel 7:2-11
Returning to the Lord
Returning to the Lord The Old Testament prophets often communicated—both before and after the Exile—the need for the people of Israel to return to the Lord (see, e.g., Isa 55:6-7; Hos 6:1-3; Hag 1:12; Mal 3:7). Their abandonment of the true God—and their turning toward other gods—precipitated his judgment, which culminated in the destruction of the Temple and exile from their land. The future restoration and blessing of God’s people was dependent on their returning to him. This is the core message of Zechariah to those returning to Jerusalem from exile, as seen in his opening statement: “Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (Zech 1:3). Zechariah’s call to repentance was a call for the people of Israel to renew their commitment to their covenant relationship with God. Zechariah warned his audience to learn from their ancestors’ past violation of the covenant, which had devastating consequences (7:11-14). Zechariah’s interest in Israel’s covenant relationship with God extended to issues of social justice. Returning to the Lord leads naturally to obedience and to the practice of justice, honesty, fairness, mercy, and kindness (7:9-10; 8:16...