38 - Zechariah

TLDR: Visions and oracles for the restored community: lampstand, branches, flying scroll; a priest-king; the coming king on a donkey. "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD.

Overarching Storyline

Call to return (ch. 1). Eight night visions (ch. 1–6). Fasting question (ch. 7–8). Oracles: king, shepherd, pierced one (ch. 9–14).

Bible Project: Zechariah overview.

Pegs for Memorizing This Book

• Person: Zechariah, Joshua (high priest), Branch, pierced one.
• Image: Lampstand, flying scroll, king on donkey, pierced one.
• Number: 8 (night visions), 14 (chapters).
• Phrase: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" (4:6); "See your king comes" (9:9).

Highlights

• Zechariah 4:6 — Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD.
• Zechariah 9:9 — See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey (cited Matt 21:5; John 12:15).
• Zechariah 12:10 — They will look on me, the one they have pierced (cited John 19:37).

(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)

Before and After

• Before: Haggai; Zechariah's visions support the same rebuilding era.
• After: Malachi; Zechariah's king on a donkey and pierced one point to Jesus.

Place in the Overarching Biblical Story

Spirit and Messiah. The kingdom comes by the Spirit, not force. The king on a donkey (9:9) and the pierced one (12:10) are fulfilled in Jesus' entry and crucifixion.

Interesting Facts

• Apocalyptic visions — Horses, lampstand, scroll — similar in style to parts of Daniel and Revelation.
• Palm Sunday — Matthew 21:5 and John 12:15 quote Zechariah 9:9 for Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.