Zechariah
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III A Series of Revelatory Oracles E Return, Text: 14:1-21 Title: The City on a Hill Introduction This closing chapter of Zechariah is often interpreted in a literalistic fashion. I do not mean literal. It is interpreted in a way that betrays the meaning but sounds good to the carnal ear. Thus many interpreters think…
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III A Series of Revelatory Oracles D Redemption, Text: 12:1-13:9 Title: The Pierced Shepherd of Israel Introduction In interpreting these passages one only has two options. Either their fulfillment is material and physical in the distant future, or it is spiritual in the victory of Christ over sin and death that began at the cross…
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III A Series of Revelatory Oracles C Rejection, Text: 11:1-17 Title: Unwanted Shepherd Introduction The message of this portion of Zechariah is probably summed up best by the Apostle John in his gospel. In John 1:10-13, He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.…
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III A Series of Revelatory Oracles B Reception, Text: 9:9-10:12 Title: The Advent of the King Introduction I cannot remember an Easter week when I did not preach on the first two verses of our text on Palm Sunday, Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you,…
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III A Series of Revelatory Oracles A Retribution, Text: 9:1-8 Title: Conquered and Converted Introduction There are two ancient people groups whose names should be easy to remember. The first is Phoenicia and I am sure you have heard of the phonetic alphabet which was passed down to us from the ancient Greeks and Romans.…
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II Four Explanatory Messages B The Response 4 Rejoicing, Text: 8:18-23 Title: The Oil of Joy for Mourning Introduction This passage in Zechariah’s prophecy supplies the full correction for the erring question brought by the men of Bethel regarding fasting. It reminds me of God’s promises to Israel in Isaiah 61:1-3 which is the scroll…
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II Four Explanatory Messages B The Response 3 Restoration, Text: 8:1-17 Title: After the Storm Introduction We cannot understand Biblical prophecy apart from the fate of Jerusalem. The theme of this passage is God’s promises to bless Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the city of God. Of course that means it is His dwelling, but it also…
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II Four Explanatory Messages B The Response 2 Repentance, Text: 7:8-14 Title: Necessary Roughness Introduction There is a current TV show titled Necessary Roughness. The title is a kind of pun because the focus is a professional football team and you know how rough that is. However the roughness in view is the roughness of…
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II Four Explanatory Messages B The Response 1 Rebuke, Text: 7:4-7 Title: Don’t Play at Worship Introduction In some circles condemning modern innovations in worship is tantamount to condemning homosexuality at a gay and lesbian meeting. It draws a great deal of ire. My own experience with this is limited, but I remember mentioning the…
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II Four Explanatory Messages A The Requirement Text: 7:1-3 Title: Trivial Pursuits Introduction I was engaged in evangelism on a street in downtown Philadelphia when I was accosted by a man who inquired as to whether I had spoken in tongues. When he heard me say, “No,” he wondered why I was out there trying…
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I The Eight Symbolic Visions C The Concluding Acts 3 The Mystery, 6:14 and 15 Title: They Will Come to Zion Introduction I have called this section a mystery because that is what Paul calls it. In Ephesians 1:9 Paul writes, He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good…
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I The Eight Symbolic Visions C The Concluding Acts 2 The Message, Text: 6:12 and 13 Title: Wait for Peace Introduction Starting immediately after Saul, David was made king and only descendants of the house of David had a right to the throne. Only the tribe of Judah was the royal tribe. Levi had not…
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I The Eight Symbolic Visions C The Concluding Acts 1 The Marriage, Text: 6:9-11 Title: Priest and King Introduction This is a coronation. Why is it important? Because for the first time in the history of Israel the offices of king and priest are married together. Other great leaders such as Moses shared in both…
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I The Eight Symbolic Visions B The Communication of the Visions 8 The Vision of the Heavenly Spirits, Text: 6:1-8 Title: No Escape for the Wicked Introduction This vision forms a climax to the whole series. in chapter 1 the nations were at ease and the Lord was angry with them and we read in…
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I The Eight Symbolic Visions B The Communication of the Visions 7 The vision of the Harlot, Text: 5:5-11 Title: The Final Captivity Introduction As in the first 4 verses of this chapter God is still dealing with the sins of the people because they have resumed the wayward path that led them to the…
