Preparations For Messiah Series

Intro

We have completed the first half of Zechariah. Our text today opens the second half. Chapters 1-8 constitute the first half, and chapters 9-14 the second. The style, structure, and tone of the two halves are very different. We have been impressed with the specific dates and context given in Zechariah 1-8. This is absent in the second half. As a result, scholars disagree much more on the timing and contexts in the second half. So much so that the more liberal commentators attribute the second half to an author other than Zechariah and date the messages much later in history.i Therefore, they often refer to them as Zechariah I and Zechariah II.ii

However, the evidence is in favor of one author, Zechariah, who gave the messages in chapters 1-8 early in his life and those in chapters 9-14 late in life.iii The differences in style, structure, and tone are adequately explained by the difference in the gene and purpose. Chapters 9-14 are more apocalyptic and directed at the end of the age. Chapters 1-8 project into the latter days but are also concerned with the immediate context of rebuilding the temple. The messages of chapters 9-14 were given after the temple was complete.

The primary arguments for Zechariah being the sole author of the whole book are:

(1) The inspired introduction in 1:1 presents Zechariah as the author, and nothing is said to indicate that changed later in the second half.

(2) The Jewish compilers of the Old Testament canon always attributed the whole book to Zechariah.

(3) The translators of the Septuagint held to the same position, and

(4) Jesus and the apostles used this Greek translation without questioning Zechariah’s authorship.iv

Quoting W. H. Lowe, Hebrew Student’s Commentary on Zechariah, Baron lists eight internal proofs of this unity agreeing with Lowe’s conclusion that the whole book of Zechariah is “the work of Zechariah, grandson of Iddo.”v

Zechariah received the eight visions in chapters 1-6 on February 15, 519 BC when he began his ministry.vi The question that drives chapters 7-8 came December 7, 518 BC. The prophecies in chapters 9-14 came toward the end of his life. Barker and Walker say those messages came sometime after 480 BC. vii That would make them at least 38 years later. All of this affects the way we interpret our text today.

Zechariah 9:1 begins with this marker: “The burden of the word of the Lord.” That signals a new section in the book. The next section begins in 12:1 with the same statement. Therefore, we know this second half is divided into two parts. The trust of chapters 9-11 is God’s last days dealings with the gentile nations; the focus in chapters 12-14 is God’s preparation of Israel for Christ’s Second Coming. Understanding these inspired divisions, helps us approach the book in a methodical, organized way.

The word translated “burden” in Zechariah 9:1is massa’. It indicates divine utterance or oracle, but its first meaning is “load, burden, judgment.”viii The message Zechariah is giving in chapters 9-11 expresses God’s judgment and defeat of the gentile nations in preparation for Messiah’s millennial reign.

Follow with me as we read or text in Zechariah 9:1-8. “The burden of the word of the Lord Against the land of Hadrach, And Damascus its resting place (For the eyes of men And all the tribes of Israel Are on the Lord); 2 Also against Hamath, which borders on it, And against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. 3 For Tyre built herself a tower, Heaped up silver like the dust, And gold like the mire of the streets. 4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out; He will destroy her power in the sea, And she will be devoured by fire. 5 Ashkelon shall see it and fear; Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; And Ekron, for He dried up her expectation. The king shall perish from Gaza, And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. 6 "A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod, And I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. 7 I will take away the blood from his mouth, And the abominations from between his teeth. But he who remains, even he shall be for our God, And shall be like a leader in Judah, And Ekron like a Jebusite. 8 I will camp around My house Because of the army, Because of him who passes by and him who returns. No more shall an oppressor pass through them, For now I have seen with My eyes.”ix

That passage accurately describes Alexander the Great’s campaign against these nations in 333-332 BC. But that happened over 100 years after Zechariah died. Is it possible that Zechariah could have predicted this so accurately? Since liberal scholars begin with a presupposition that supernatural things like that cannot happen, they need to place the writing of these verses after the event.x That is one reason they reject Zechariah as the author.