Zechariah / Malachi

Our final chapter looks at two prophets who were very different in style and content. Zechariah providing encouragement using visions and Messianic prophecy, while Malachi deals with a specific problem using language and images that are readily understandable and practical to implement.

Zechariah

1. The Prophet

The name Zechariah was a rather common name among the Jews and means "Jehovah remembers" or "whom Jehovah remembers. There are over twenty-five people by this name mentioned in the Old Testament. This one can be identified easily by means of several references to him in the text.

Zechariah was "the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo" (1:1). Ezra refers to him simply as "the son of Iddo" (Ezra 5:1; Ezra 6:14). This is not a discrepancy or error in the Bible. The Hebrew language does not have a word corresponding to our word "grandson". The word "son" was therefore used to signify a son, a grandson or, in an even more general sense, a descendant of more distant generations.

Zechariah was not only a prophet but also of a priestly family. He was born and reared in Babylon during Judah's captivity there. He returned from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 536 BC (cf. Nehemiah 12:1, 4, 16). He was still a very young man when he began prophesying in 520 BC and his youthful zeal was undoubtedly complementary to the old prophet Haggai in their contemporary ministries.

It is interesting to note both Zechariah and Haggai were called into ministry in the same year and only a few months apart.

In the second year of Darius the king, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,
- Haggai 1:1

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying,
- Zechariah 1:1

Aside from his parentage (son of Berechiah and Iddo (priests during exile) and the fact that he preached to the people in Jerusalem while they rebuilt the city and Temple after their return from exile, no other information in the Bible is given about Zechariah.

2. The Prophet's Time

The ministries of Haggai and Zechariah occurred in the same historical setting.

The seventy-year captivity in Babylon was over and the Jews had been back in their homeland for sixteen years. They had been tending to their own personal affairs during this period but had neglected their responsibilities to God. The temple was not yet rebuilt, Jerusalem and its walls were in ruins and the people were dispirited.

It was under these circumstances, in 520 BC, that Haggai received his first message from the Lord for the people. Two months later, Zechariah was called to the same kind of work. Whereas Haggai's work lasted only a few months, Zechariah's ministry relative to the rebuilding of the temple covered at least two full years. Charles Pledge compares the two in his book entitled, "Getting Acquainted with the Old Testament." He writes:

"The work of Haggai and Zechariah complement each other as does all work of faithful evangelists today. Haggai offered some stern rebuke and plain admonition as well as encouragement, but Zechariah dealt primarily in encouraging words and visions which would bolster the sagging faith of a weak people. As some of the older men recalled the former glory which they had enjoyed, especially the Temple, and then observed their present weakness, it is easy to understand the disheartening attitude that developed. However, with the combined efforts of Haggai and Zechariah, the work of the Lord was accomplished. They were a great pair; the old and the young together working for God."

After the initial excitement and enthusiasm experienced by the Jews at their Providential return to their homeland and the rush to begin rebuilding the Temple – reality set in with opposition from neighboring peoples and the magnitude of the work. The people were in shock and had fallen back to the safety of the familiar.

3. The Prophet's Message

Zechariah is the longest book of the Minor Prophets. The average length of books by the other Minor Prophets was about 5 chapters, however, Zechariah's book was almost three times as long at 14 chapters.

His book is the most complex as it contains apocalyptic symbolism as well as numerous visions, not easily interpreted. Add to these abundant references to a future Messiah (more than any other minor prophet) and you have a very challenging work to summarize and explain in the brief time and space that we have.

One helpful thing we can do is to provide you with some basic information about apocalyptic symbolism, a literary device used by several prophets of the Old Testament (Daniel, Zechariah), as well as figures in the New Testament (Jesus in Matthew 24-25; Apostle John – Revelation).

Apocalyptic symbolism typically deals with themes related to the "end times", Divine judgment, and/or the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.

The word Apocalypse comes from the Greek word Apokalypsis which means to uncover or remove the cover. Apocalyptic symbolism refers to the uncovering or revealing of certain truths concerning the end times, the judgment of God, or the coming triumph of God's will and kingdom using symbolic imagery, vision, or language.

Some of the characteristics of apocalyptic symbolism used by all prophets including Zechariah include the following:

1. Vivid imagery – cosmic events, supernatural beings, heavenly visions to evoke awe and wonder in the reader.
2. Symbolic numbers and colors – used to convey abstract concepts or spiritual realities (#7 = completeness/perfection; color white = purity).
3. Animal Imagery – Depictions of strange or other worldly creatures (dragons, hybrid creatures – lion with a man's face) to symbolize worldly powers, cosmic entities, spiritual powers.
4. Cosmic Catastrophes – Blood moon, stars falling, etc. – signs of Divine Judgment or the impending end of a certain age.
5. Angels and Demons – playing the role of messengers, warriors, or agents of Divine Judgment.
6. Dualism – presenting the cosmic struggle between God and Satan, light and darkness, forces of good vs. forces of evil.
7. End – Time (eschatological) Themes – the end of the world, judgment, resurrecting Divine thrones, New Jerusalem.

Apocalyptic symbolism serves to convey profound spiritual truths to stimulate awe and confidence in the believer towards the ultimate victory in the plans of God no matter the present circumstances one is in.

4. The Prophet's Book

1. A call to repentance – 1:1-6
2. Eight visions and their meanings – 1:7-6:15
3. The questions of fasting – 7:1-8:23
4. Prophesies concerning the nations and the kingdom – 9:1-14:21
   1. First Message – 9:1-11:17
   2. Second Message – 12:1-14:21

Some main elements and details of this book include the fact that Zechariah's book is the longest and most difficult book of the 12 Minor Prophets. This, of course, is due to the fact that there is a great deal of Apocalyptic symbolism throughout the book which is not easily familiar to the modern Western mind.

A key thought, however, is that the book was designed to encourage God's people. The triumph of God's purpose among men is assured. However, Zechariah insists that for this to happen, man must be in submission to God's will.

One other fact to note about Zechariah's preaching is his abundant references to the Messiah – commentary writer, Merrill Unger, says that:

Zechariah has more to say about Christ than all of the other Minor Prophets.
(Zechariah, p8, M.U.)

Very briefly then, here are the main ideas that make up the content of Zechariah's book.

The First Section – 1:1-6 calls on the people to turn to God in sincere repentance. The prophet urges them to be better than their fathers had been. In their case this would mean returning to the task that had been abandoned – rebuilding the temple.

The Second Section – 1:7-6:15 is a series of visions which are a comprehensive revelation concerning the future of the people God and His kingdom among men. After this he is given the task of crowning Joshua.

Zechariah describes:

A. Horsemen among the myrtle trees – 1:7-17

An angel explains that they are sent by God to patrol the earth and report on its condition. The vision assures the Jews that God is aware of their situations and will bring about restoration and peace.

B. Vision of Four Horns and Four Craftsman – 1:18-21

The horns represent nations that have scattered Israel. The craftsman represents God's judgment on their nation.

C. Visions of man with measuring line – 2:1-13

Represents Jerusalem being rebuilt but rebuilt beyond its present site. This signifies growth and prosperity in the future as well as God's protection.

D. Vision of Joshua, the high priest – 3:1-10

Joshua in priestly garb before the angel signifies the renewal of acceptable worship to God by the Jews. This renewed priesthood will bring forgiveness of sin for the people.

E. Vision of the Golden Lampstand and the two olive trees – 4:1-14

The two olive trees represent Zerubbabel and Joshua (one a leader of the people and the other a high priest) in the presence of the Spirit of God. This imagery signifies God's appointed leaders once again doing God's work in leading His people in the power and direction of the Holy Spirit – how it once was (Moses and Aaron) and as it is meant to be in order to accomplish God's work in any age.

F. Vision of the flying scroll – 5:1-4

The scroll is the curse that goes over the land of those who steal and swear falsely. It is divine and not human justice – the kind that rules in the kingdom of God.

G. Vision of a woman in a basket – 5:5-11

A woman called wickedness carried off in a basket by storks to Babylon. This symbolizes the cleansing of the land of the wicked influences carried back to the holy city and Temple from Babylon, now being purified and sent back to its source.

H. Vision of the four chariots – 6:1-8

Zechariah sees four chariots coming out from two mountains of bronze. These represent the four spirits of heaven going out to patrol the earth – N.S.E.W. These symbolize divine judgment upon the nations and the establishment of God's rule over the entire earth.

I. The crowning of Joshua – 6:9-15

This action represents the dual nature of Joshua's rule as king and priest which symbolizes a restoration of the ideal theocratic government. The crowning is also a Messianic foreshadowing in that when the Messiah would come, He would perfectly fulfill both kingly and priestly roles. Also, the naming of one of the crowns as "branch" uses another common figure for the Messiah to come. In the end, God's command to crown Joshua in Zechariah 6:9-15 symbolizes the restoration of spiritual and political leadership in Israel, anticipating the coming of the Messiah, and offering hope for a future of peace and prosperity under God's rule.

Note that even though the visions are bizarre and disheartening, even difficult to understand, none of them represent a curse or punishment on the Jews. Each one represents a blessing of some kind and taken together provide a great encouragement for them at a time of difficulty and challenge.

Getting back to the summary of the content of Zechariah's book:

1. A call to repentance – 1:1-6
2. The eight visions and command to crown Joshua – 1:7-6:15
3. An admonition that nothing can be substituted for complete and sincere obedience to God – 8:23. The problem was a familiar one. Religious leaders emphasizing rules on fasting and other religious practices while neglecting to practice basic justice and mercy for those who were weak and in need.
4. God's promises for the future – 9:14-21
   1. In conflicts between Jerusalem and heathen nations, Jerusalem would be victorious. The future would bring doom to these nations but would also bring the Messiah to Jerusalem – Ch. 9-11.
   2. The future would bring a sifting that would separate fleshly Israel from spiritual Israel.

Lessons for Today

1. Repentance is the first step in the process of renewal.

Note that before Zechariah described his visions of blessings and success for the future, he insisted that God required repentance first. The Jews had to change their ways. For them it wasn't great sins like idolatry or sexual immorality , it was returning to the original work of rebuilding the Temple which they had abandoned and thinking that personal acts of religious devotion (fasting) was a substitute for treating others with kindness and mercy.

To this day, any spiritual progress from becoming a Christian, to becoming a better or more mature Christian begins with repentance. Repentance prepares us for spiritual life because in repentance we let something go (some fleshly habit, attitude, thought, act, etc.) and we embrace something spiritual (belief, Jesus, greater submission to Jesus). So, if you ever pray to God and ask Him to help you, change you, prepare you, improve you – the first thing he will ask of you every time will be to repent.

2. Have faith because we win!

The people he was encouraging were a tiny remnant of the Jewish nation who were rebuilding a city and Temple in order to maintain a spiritual and cultural heritage so that through them some 400 years into the future the Messiah would come to offer Himself for sin and establish the kingdom/church here on earth which would for 2,000 more years preach the gospel, calling people into the kingdom and prepare for Jesus' return some day! Look how far back they were in the scheme of things; how much they didn't know and yet they were stuck with it because God sent them a prophet who used various visions to remind them that at the end... we win! It may not look like it sometimes (rumors of wars, climate change, people leaving the church and sometimes the church leaving people – but Zechariah, John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, John, Paul, and today the Bible being spoken by Mike says, "Don't be afraid and don't be discouraged because Jesus is coming and, we win!"

Malachi

As I mentioned before, Zechariah's period was in 520 BC. We now go forward almost a full century in order to review the last of the Minor Prophets, Malachi.

1. The Prophet

The name Malachi means "my messenger". This man was the last writing prophet to serve as Jehovah's messenger to the people under the Law of Moses. His prophecy was followed by the four hundred "silent years" of history. There was no further special revelation from God and His will until the time of John the Baptist and Jesus. No details of the prophet's life are available to us. We know nothing more of him than is revealed in this one book of Scripture. Malachi was possessed of an intense love for the people of God. He, therefore, spoke to them with great urgency in the streets and marketplaces. He spoke boldly and claimed the authority of God for his message. This prophet used a style of teaching and writing known as the didactic-dialectic method. This method later became universal in Jewish schools and synagogues. It is still quite effective in teaching and preaching. It was a kind of Q&A method. For example:

First, the speaker makes a charge or accusation; then the questions or objections of the accused are raised; these are then answered by a withering refutation. Seven distinct examples of this method of (1) affirmation, (2) interrogation and (3) refutation have been noted in his book.

2. The Prophet's Time

The date of this prophecy is determined by material within the book. Scholars are in general agreement that its content agrees with the situation described by Nehemiah. This would place the writing of Malachi at some time between 445 and 425 BC – the time of Nehemiah's governorship.

By way of summary, the people had been home from the exile in Babylon for approximately one hundred years. The Temple had been rebuilt and so had the wall around Jerusalem. However, the condition of the people themselves was spiritually poor. They had returned to their former spiritual indifference and lethargy. The priests were lax and wicked as tithes and offerings were being perverted. The people were questioning the love and justice of God because of their poverty and hard times.

3. The Prophet's Message

Malachi came among this wicked and despairing people charging them with apathy and disloyalty to God. He reassured them the Messiah was coming, but that he would have to punish them because of their sins which he then specified. He thus issued a call for the people to learn obedience to God.

4. The Prophet's Book

The book of Malachi may be outlined briefly as follows:

1. God's Love for His People (1:1-5)
   1. Declared (1:1-2)
   2. Demonstrated (1:3-5)
2. Condemnation of the Unfaithful Priests (1:6-2:9)
   1. Their unworthiness (1:6-14)
   2. God's curse upon them (2:1-9)
3. People Rebuked for Profaning Marriage (2:10-16)
   1. Alien marriages (2:10-12)
   2. The sin of divorce (2:13-16)
4. The Coming of the Lord and the Purging of Israel (2:17-4:6)
   1. A question concerning God's justice (2:17)
   2. The Messiah's coming in judgment (3:1-6)
   3. Neglect of tithes and offerings (3:7-12)
   4. God's justice defended (3:13-4:3)
   5. A call to obedience (4:4)
   6. Elijah and his work (4:5-6)

The first section of the book (1:1-5) is an affirmation of the love of God for His people.

The second section (1.6-2:9) moves immediately to show how that love had been spurned. The priests had been faithless and had become stumbling blocks to the entire nation.

Section three (2:10-16) is a strict rebuke of the people in general for their widespread sins against marriage. God would no longer accept their sacrifices because of their participation in and toleration of alien marriages, unfaithfulness and sinfulness resulting in divorce. (Their faithlessness in marriage was a reflection of the failure in their relationship with God).

The fourth section of Malachi (2:17-4:6) begins with a rebuke against the Jews for having lost faith in God. The prophet asks,"Do heathens appear to prosper while God's people suffer?" God's reckoning with people is not to be judged in the light of a temporary physical condition, but in view of the coming separation of the righteous from the wicked. Thus, the people are urged to be obedient. The Messiah will come and bring blessings to the faithful, but he will also bring judgment!

The Old Testament closes with the work of John the Baptist.

⁵"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. ⁶He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."
- Malachi 4:5-6

It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
- Luke 1:17

This is an angel speaking to Zacharias, John the Baptist's father, in announcing that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son.

Lessons for Today

1. Simple indifference toward worship and service to God is judged as a grievous sin.

God cannot bless such a person until his attitude changes. Sometimes there's a connection between our lack of worship and lack of blessings. God still requires sincere worship even if our worship today is less complex and demanding than the sacrificial system under the law.

2. There really is a judgment coming!

¹For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze," says the Lord of hosts, "so that it will leave them neither root nor branch." ²"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. ³You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing," says the Lord of hosts.
- Malachi 4:1-3

The simple message of the last prophet in the Old Testament is that God will judge the wicked and reward the faithful. If all the prophesies made were fulfilled, there is no reason to doubt that this final one will also be fulfilled.