The Strand Study Bible

ZECHARIAH ZECHARIAH (depicting CHRIST as the Light of the world – Jn 8:12), the table of showbread (depicting CHRIST as the Bread of life – Jn 6:47-51), and the altar of incense (depicting CHRIST as our intercessor and mediator – I Tim 2:5). Thus the measurement of the scroll is symbolic. If the scroll depicts the written Word and the judgment it can have on us if we don’t abide by it (Deut 28:15-68), then the porch and the Holy Place depict the Word as well. Meaning: If you want access to God (Holy of Holies), and you want it without coming into judgment, you first have to approach Him via the porch entrance (the written Word) and the Holy Place (the Living WORD ). NOTE – Getting to God without getting judged is a matter of going through the Word/ WORD (Rom 10:8-9,17). 5:3 The scroll represents God’s Law and its curse on sin. It is unrolled so it can be read. It is large so that its words are plain to read. God has not hidden His standard of righteousness or His curse on those who violate His Law (Deut 28:15-68). The scroll’s ability to fly shows the impossibility of escaping God’s judgment; the scroll will find you… it will fly to where you are no matter where you reside (Mt 19:16-26 and Gal 6:7 ). Harold L. Willmington in Willmington’s Bible Handbook notes: Zechariah saw a giant scroll (the law) flying through the sky, signifying to both present and future Israel that God is quite capable of removing sin from their land in order to fulfill his plans for them. 1 The reason for the sixth vision was to show God’s people that even their sin couldn’t stop God’s WORK (Temple work – Rev 21:3, Ezk 37:27 & Exo 29:42-45), which is saving sinners ( Jn 6:28-29 , Exo 14:13,30-31 , Psa 74:12 , Jonah 2:9 , Hab 1:5 , Mt 7:13-14 , Jn 4:14 & 5:29 , Rom 13:11 , Titus 3:5a and Heb 6:1c ), from continuing. Ultimately, God’s Word will win out. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Sin may hinder the message, but it can’t halt the message (Jere 36) 5:6 An ephah was the largest dry measure used by the Jews to measure grain. It equaled about 10 omers (Exo 16:36). 5:7 The “ woman ” here represented the sins of Babylon, which Israel picked up while in captivity for seventy years. 5:8 The reason for the seventh vision was to show God’s people that, if they were to finish the Temple and continue the sacrifices (which pictured CHRIST’S WORK of redemption), then they were to leave in Babylon the sins that had carried them there. NOTE - God will not allow Christ’s WORK to be misrepresented by careless Christians. 5:9 These “ two women ” here pictured those nations ( Assyria and Babylon ) used of God in times past to carry off His people into captivity because of their wickedness. Thus, the significance of the seventh vision is that wickedness (vs 8) must be removed if blessing from above are to shower the people of God. This, of course, is an impossible task from man’s point of view, however from God’s point of view it’s really quite simple –just remove the wicked people via invasions from other nations ( Assyria and Babylon ) and the present problem of wickedness is solved. 6:1 These four chariots (winds; spirits – vs 5) represented God’s divine messengers against such nations as Babylon and Egypt (Dan 7:2, Zech 6:5, Jere 49:36, Mt 24:31 and Rev 7:1-2). NOTE - The significance of the “colored horses” (vs 2-3) are: * Red horses - represented war and bloodshed; * Black horses - represented distress and death upon Babylon (the north country - vs 6); * White horses - represented guaranteed victory over Babylon (the north country - vs 6); * Grizzled horses - represented plague and pestilence upon Egypt (the south country - vs 6). 6:5 The reason for the eighth vision (Zech 6:1-15) was to show God’s people that those who aided Satan in destroying God’s work ( Babylon and Egypt ) would be judged by the “ four spirits of the heavens ” (divine messengers of God used as His instruments in executing His judgment and pouring out His wrath upon the earth). The Liberty Bible Commentary notes: The significance of the vision of the four chariots to the Israel of Zechariah’s day was that God’s judgment has finally and fully rested upon Babylon. Even though there might be a flare up (which was realized in the fifth year of Darius’ reign–just three years later); they need not let that deter them from building the Temple (which was not completed until the sixth year of Darius’ reign). God has all things under complete control. The vision of the four chariots reveals to the Israel of the future why Messiah can reign universally over all the world–all enemies are judged and none can rise up against the authority of the King. 2 NOTE -Just like Satan is going to be judged someday (Isa 14:12-17, Ezk 28:15-19 and Psa 9:17), so those who worked for him (knowingly or unknowingly) would be judged. God’s work would not be hindered by those nations ever again. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: If you don’t want to be in the same place where God’s judgment is about to fall, then you must avoid being associated with those whom God is ready to judge 6:12a The phrase ( And speak unto him, saying ) means that CHRIST Himself is speaking for the LORD OF HOSTS ( God the Father ) here. This is why the “words” of the LORD OF HOSTS are not in blue within this chapter ( Obad 1:1a , Mic 1:1a , Nah 1:1b , Zeph 1:1 , Hag 1:1 , Mal 1:1 and Isa 48:1 ). 6:12b CHRIST here ( ANGEL – vs 4) was speaking of Himself ( Behold the MAN whose name is The BRANCH – Jere 23:5-6) and the future role He would play as the God-Man (Mt 1:23 and I Tim 2:5). James Smith and Robert Lee in Handfuls On Purpose note: “The Branch” is one of the most significant of Messiah’s Names. A branch bears the fruit and reveals the character of the tree. Christ as Jehovah’s Branch, revealed by His words and deeds the true character of His Father. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches,” the fruit-bearing part of the vine. Just as if God should say: “I am the True Vine, and Jesus Christ is the Branch , from which my fruit is found.” All the blessings that hang on this Branch for our present and future life are the outcome of the love of the Eternal Father. As a Son, Christ is a true and faithful Branch of the Godhead. O the multitudes who have sat under the shadow of this Branch with great delight! 3 6:13 An “Enthroned Priest” ( and he shall be a PRIEST upon his throne ): What a blessed combination –a KING to govern His people and a PRIEST crowned to bear His people’s needs. 1435

1 Willmington, Harold L. Willmington Bible Handbook , Wheaton, Ill Tyndale, 1997. Print. 2 Falwell, Jerry. Liberty Bible Commentary , Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, 1983. Print 3 James Smith and Robert Lee. Handfuls On Purpose , Grand Rapids, MI, Eerdmans Pub, 1947. Print