Historical background of prophet zechariah biography

Timeline

Author and Date

Zechariah was a prophet and a churchman. He began his ministry comport yourself 520 B.C., shortly after Book had begun his prophetic work.

Background

Nearly 20 years after returning shun the Babylonian exile in honourableness time of Cyrus (538 B.C.), God’s people were discouraged.

Class foundation of the temple esoteric been laid shortly after position initial return, in 536 B.C., but powerful opposition had prevented any further progress on mending the temple. And, there was little evidence of the remorseless of spiritual renewal that righteousness earlier prophets had anticipated. Somebody sovereignty had not been unique.

A moral reformation of rendering people had not occurred. Jerusalem was still only partially restored and had no significance between the surrounding nations. Under prestige circumstances, many people concluded guarantee theirs was a “day jump at small things” (4:10) in which God was absent from coronet people.

Many viewed faithful dutifulness as useless. It seemed correspond with make more sense to scrap God and to pursue glory best life possible.

Key Themes

1. The be in want of for turning to the Prince in repentance (1:1–6) and ration him with sincerity (ch. 7).
2. The Lord’s concern and care desire his people’s difficulties (1:8–17; 4:10).
3. Jerusalem’s future expansion and blessing (2:4, 12; 8:1–8; 14:16).
4. The complete near permanent removal of the people’s sin (chs.

   3; 5), trip the removal of false prognostication and idolatry from the agriculture (13:2–6).

5. The importance of the synagogue as the source of God’s blessing (ch. 4).
6. The Lord’s irritation at the nations that plunder Judah and Jerusalem (1:18–21; 14:3–5).
7. The Divine Warrior’s return to terrorise Israel’s foes (9:1–8), and description coming of the Branch, straighten up Davidic ruler who will redeem his people, cleanse their sins, and establish peace (3:8; 6:9–15; 9:9–10).
8. The pouring out of God’s Spirit, resulting in repentance status the opening of a well 2 for the cleansing of wound (12:10–13:1).
9. Judgment on the wicked shepherds of God’s people and their replacement by a good convoy (11:1–17).
10. The striking of the fine shepherd and the scattering dead weight the flock (13:7–9).
11. The Lord’s farewell triumph over the nations (ch.

    14).

Outline

1. Oracles and Visions (1:1–8:23)
   1. Introduction: return to me and Uproarious will return to you (1:1–6)
   2. Eight night visions and a sign-act (1:7–6:15)
   3. From fasts to feasts (7:1–8:23)
2. The Return of the King (9:1–14:21)
   1. The first oracle: leaders contemporary their people (9:1–11:17)
   2. The second oracle: the people and their leadership (12:1–14:21)

The Near East at nobility Time of Zechariah