Minor Prophets

Zechariah 10+11 takes us through a view of the leaders (Shepherds) in Israel. They had been leading the people astray, and so Zechariah 10 reveals the Good Shepherd who is going to regather His sheep and be their help.

The word of the Lord comes to Zechariah encouraging the people saying: ‘Let your hands be strong!’ Ever felt like giving up with something before? But the Lord reminds them that He has great things in store for His people. So don’t give up! We have a great promise of future blessing as well. So regardless of what you’re going through, keep pressing on – it will all be worth it. Bible Text: Zechariah 8:9-23

Why do you do the things you do? In your worship of God, have some things become just a routine that has lost all sense of reason behind it? This was the case in Zechariah 7. While in Babylon, the people had instituted various fast days and wondered if they needed to keep some of these traditions going. It’s important to evaluate what it is we are doing and make sure it is truly done with the right heart and not just out of ritual. Bible Text: Zechariah 7:1-8:8

Zechariah receives his last of 8 visions, and it has some similarities to the first one. They serve as a kind of bookends to bring confidence and assurance to those in Jerusalem that despite the circumstances or conditions that the people are dealing with, God is on the move and is carrying out His work. Don’t give up but have hope in the plans of the Lord! Then Zechariah is told to crown Joshua, which was unusual for a high priest. But it pointed ahead, building up their faith again in the One who would be their perfect King-Priest. Bible Text: Zechariah 6:1-15

Zechariah receives his fifth vision and this is a word for Zerubbabel. As he is leading the rebuilding of the temple, things just looked bleak. ‘Can this ever get finished, will this ever look like it used to?’, was their thought. But the Lord speaks a word of encouragement to Zerubbabel, reminding him that it’s not by his might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that this work will be accomplished. An important truth for us today as well. Bible Text: Zechariah 4:1-14

In Chapter 3 Zechariah receives his fourth vision – it’s a vision of Joshua the high priest in filthy garments. And it’s a glimpse at the sin of Israel, but we see the work Jesus is coming to do in cleansing, clothing, and commissioning His people. Bible Text: Zechariah 3:1-10

The work of rebuilding the temple was underway, but there was still some worry and doubt. The people were wondering: “Is God really going to see us through? Is God really leading us to do this?” Well, in a single night Zechariah receives 8 visions that are meant to encourage the people in Jerusalem and fill them with hope not only for their day, but for the future. God is indeed at work and will be their help! A great encouragement for us as well. Bible Text: Zechariah 1:7-2:13

Some of the people of Israel have returned home from their captivity in Babylon and are now faced with a monumental task of rebuilding the temple. When opposition set in the work stopped and many of them just moved on to focus on their own lives. It was a discouraged and despondent group. But they were missing out on the blessings of God because of their apathy. So here in the beginning of Zechariah we hear God calling out to return to Him. It’s one of the greatest invitations in Scripture. We are invited to turn ourselves to a holy God. And as we do, we will find Him and be blessed. The book of Zechariah is meant to bring encouragement to the people as they see that God is still for them and is doing a work among them. Bible Text: Zechariah 1:1-6