Zechariah: Minor Prophet With A Major Message -- By: Stephen C. Ger

Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 03:8 (Apr 1999)
Article: Zechariah: Minor Prophet With A Major Message
Author: Stephen C. Ger


Zechariah: Minor Prophet
With A Major Message

Stephen C. Ger

Director
Sojourner Ministries, Dallas, TX

Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem… (Zech. 8:3)

Purpose Statement

Zechariah relays God’s word to encourage the returned Jewish exiles to “take heart” amidst uncertain circumstances and finish rebuilding the Temple, because the Lord plans to establish the Temple as the center of His Kingdom when He personally returns and glorifies His city, Jerusalem. This will result in the fulfillment of all covenant promises, the final deliverance of His people, Israel, and their employment to facilitate the universal worship of the Lord.

Introductory Concerns

The book of Zechariah, although a prophetic work of singular importance in developing an understanding of Biblical eschatology and the role of the promised Messianic King, is one of the most overlooked and least studied of the Old Testament books. This, despite being one of the most quoted and alluded to Old Testament works within the New Testament corpus. The New Testament authors directly quote or allude to Zechariah’s content on some forty separate occasions.1 In fact, because of the diminutive size of Zechariah’s book, it could be argued that it is the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament, pound for pound (or shekel for shekel). Yet in perusing the computer index of the dispensational journal par excellence, Bibliotheca Sacra, from 1955–1995, not one article on Zechariah’s book or specific subject matter could be located.

It is not as if the content of Zechariah is lacking relevance or profundity for Bible prophecy scholars. Students of the book of Revelation will readily recognize certain symbols and motifs strewn throughout this book. Additionally, Zechariah reveals more about the coming Messiah than all the other Minor Prophets combined. He is truly the minor prophet with the major

message. Within the pages of Zechariah are found many of messianic prophecy’s “greatest hits”.2 In the emphasis of its subject matter on the restoration of Jerusalem and the coming Messianic King to His people, it is tempting to informally think of Zechariah as Isaiah, Jr.

As with the message of Isaiah, it has become common practice within some circles to challenge the unity of this book and propose a Deutero-Zechariah. The demonstration of Zechariah’s authorial unity has been well defended by others

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