The Book of Zechariah is hardly the works of a “minor prophet.” The fourteen chapters of this book contain many fascinating prophecies, and especially prophecies regarding the Return of the Lord Jesus and the coming Messianic Kingdom.

It is interesting that this book falls into the Hebrew Alphabetic Design as an Ayin book. The letter Ayin is said to mean “sight and insight.” The first eight prophecies given to Zechariah were in the form of things that he looked up and saw, by sight (verses 1:8, 1:19, 2:1, 3:1, 4:2, 5:1, 5:5 and 6:1).

In the first two chapters of Zechariah the Lord made great promises to Jerusalem and Mount Zion (my emphasis).

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.” – Zechariah 1:14

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.” – Zechariah 1:18

“ … for he that toucheth you (Zion - RT) toucheth the apple of his eye.” – Zechariah 2:8

“And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” – Zechariah 2:11

“… for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.” – Zechariah 3:8

“… and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” – Zechariah 3:9

Zechariah had two interesting visions in chapter five. The first was a “flying (sc)roll,” (megilla Strongs’s H4039). The scroll was huge, fifteen feet by thirty feet, and contained a curse against thieves and liars.

The second vision was of a woman sitting in something like a bushel basket. The woman was “wickedness,” and was held in the basket by a lead cover. The basket was carried by two women with wings like those of a stork, an unclean animal (Leviticus 11:19). She was being carried to the land of Babylon where a house, temple or prison (bayit – Strong’s H1004) would be built for her. This woman could be Mystery Babylon (Revelation chapter 17), but the symbolism is a mystery to me.

After the eight visions reported by Zechariah, the Word of the Lord came to him. In chapter eight the word of the Lord of Hosts came to the prophet. Showing the great might of the Lord and His intent for Israel, the title Lord of Hosts or as we would say, “God Almighty,” appears fifty-three times in this one book. Chapter eight contains more Messianic promises for Israel.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.” – Zechariah 8:2

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” – Zechariah 8:7-8

“Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.” – Zechariah 8:22

The Book of Zechariah has so much information and so many clues regarding the Last Days and the Return of the Lord Jesus and the coming Messianic Kingdom. It is a great blessing to read this book. I thank the Lord for all His Holy Bible. Praise His name always!