Interpretive Commentary Assignment

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Interpretive Commentary Assignment OBST520: Old Testament Orientation II (D02) April 30, 2023 Table Of Contents

2 Introduction to Zechariah 12-14………………………………………………………………. 3 Historical Setting and Date…………………………………………………………………….. 3 Authorship and Audience……………………………………………………………………… 4 Major Theological Themes…………………………………………………………………… 4 Jerusalem’s Opponents Destroyed…………………………………………………………… 5 Jerusalem’s Deliverance………………………………………………………………………... 6 Day of Atonement…………………………………………………………………………….… 8 Cleasing From Sin………………………………………………………………………………. 8 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………... 12 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………… 13 Introduction to Zechariah 12-14

3 Historical Setting and Date Zechariah authored the book of Zechariah to give hope to God’s chosen people. They received hope from God, revealing the future deliverance from the Messiah. The book of Zechariah was written in two different periods. Zechariah One through Eight was written from approximately 520 B.C. to 518 B.C, while Zechariah Nine through fourteen was written from approximately 480 B.C. During this period, the Israelites were returning from their captivity in Babylon. The exiles had returned from Babylon to complete the building of the temple. The Jew's primary goal was to restore their nation to its pre-exile status. 1 Although restoration seemed simple based on the promises made by the prophets, they fell short of expectations on multiple occasions. In Zechariah 12-14, oracles began to prophesize God returning to his chosen people to establish his kingdom. Zechariah 12 discusses how God will bring destruction to those who are godless in Jerusalem. In chapter 12, many nations seek to overtake Jerusalem due to the Jews’ sin. Zechariah 13 mentions the return of God and what the Jews needed to do to receive the desired blessing. The Jews must repent for their sins as God delivers them from their enemies. Overall, chapter 13 discussed many actions the Jews must take to receive salvation from God. First, they must cleanse themselves from their sinful desires, such as worshipping false prophets and idols. These nations lacked the power of God and failed in the long run. Zechariah 14 discusses the conquences of those who oppose God’s authority. This chapter also explains the Glory the Israelites will receive by giving total devotion to God. In return for their unconditional devotion, the Israelites will have everything that belongs to them returned. Although the 1 Mark J. Boda, The Book of Zechariah (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2016), 369.

4 Israelites have turned their back on God in the Past, God will continue to forgive, love, and protect his chosen people. Authorship and Audience Zechariah authored the book of Zechariah to give hope to God’s chosen people. The book of Zechariah is the eleventh book of the Minor Prophets and the thirty-eighth book of the Bible. 2 Zechariah served multiple titles while in Babylon during their exile. As a Priest and Prophet, Zechariah was a known leader during the exile. Although he was born during exile in Babylon, he knew he would return to Jerusalem one day. Upon returning to Jerusalem, Zechariah persuaded the people to restore the temple in Jerusalem. Major Theological Themes Zechariah 12-14 had many major theological themes, as most books in the Bible. The four major theological themes mentioned in chapters 12-14 are the rise of the Messiah, purification, forgiveness, and God overall. Zechariah prophesized the rise of the Messiah, which he envisioned. Some did not highly accept Zechariah’s prophecy because of the current condition the Jews were experiencing during that period. Zechariah also envisioned the Messiah's second coming, where he would deliver his people from the wicked forces who opposed them. Zechariah saw in a vision the Messiah's first coming to earth and His people’s rejection of Him. Based on Zechariah’s prophecy, he will begin to purify and refine his people when the Messiah arrives. This process requires us to remove all the wickedness they developed in exile. Idoltry was a major sin God’s people must rid themselves of because Idol worship led to other immoral acts that God despised. 3 For God to successfully purify, they as God’s chosen people must believe that he is their One and only savior. Worshipping many gods other than the one true 2 Andrew E. Hill, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi an Introduction and Commentary (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2012), 225. 3 Richard D. Phillips, Zechariah (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2007), 121.

5 God is the reason they were exiled in the first place. Giving themselves completely to God was the only way they could transition to forgiveness. As many Bible leaders recognized, changing your heart is the most expedient way to salvation and love from God. Zechariah encouraged the people to accept that the Messiah is Lord overall. The Messiah will be their Lord and Savior, who will defeat all of their enemies for what they have done to them for decades. Jerusalem’s Opponents Are Destroyed Chapter 12 begins with the surrounding nations gathering against Jerusalem to attack. Chapter 14 ends with the survivors from the opposing nations traveling to Jerusalem to worship and acknowledge God as supreme. 4 Zechariah 12:1 depicts the upcoming oracle as the trouble of the word of the LORD regarding Israel. It is troubling because it troubles the prophet with a sense of necessity to minister to God’s people. Zechariah 12: 1(English Standard Version) states, “The oracle of the word of the Lord concerning Israel: Thus declares the Lord, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him.” The oracle does not only alarm the Israelites but also the Jews and Gentiles working together as one unit under Christ. The oracle emits from God, and Zechariah will preach the word to his people. The topic of the oracle will focus primarily on the Church’s upcoming spiritual warfare following the exile. Zechariah 12:2 states,“Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah.” This verse acts as a metaphor that describes the impact Jerusalem will have on all of those who opposed them. Jerusalem was described as a cup of wine that entices its users to become drunken with God’s judicial blindness. God’s judicial blindness will cause them to fall victim to God’s judgments. In verse 3, imagery is used throughout the message the explain God’s intentions for those surrounding Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:3 states, “ On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone 4 Barry G. Webb, The Message of Zechariah : Your Kingdom Come (InterVarsity Press, 2003),155.

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