ZECHARIAH
The prophet Zechariah ministered with Haggai as they encouraged the Jewish remnant to rebuild the temple. God gave Zechariah eight visions concerning Jerusalem and the Jews (chaps. 1–6) and two burdens (oracles) about the nation’s future (chaps.
The focus is on Jerusalem, which is named over forty times in the book, and the key text is, “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal” (1:14). The city seemed to be forsaken, but God would remember His people and keep His promises. (Zechariah means “God remembers.”) For God’s people, the best is yet to come!
Haggai and Zechariah worked together, yet each ministry was unique. Haggai’s book is brief and records no visions; Zechariah wrote a long book containing eight visions. Haggai focused on the present work of the people; Zechariah challenged them to look ahead. Both kinds of ministry were needed then to encourage God’s people to work, and both are needed today. Like Ezekiel and Jeremiah, Zechariah was also a priest (1:1;