00:00:02
An introduction to the book of Zechariah.00:00:05
00:00:08
Zechariah began to prophesy00:00:10
00:00:10
in Jerusalem in 520 B.C.E.,00:00:13
00:00:13
17 years after the return00:00:15
00:00:15
from Babylonian exile.00:00:17
00:00:18
He prophesied for at least two years,00:00:21
00:00:21
completing the book bearing his name00:00:23
00:00:23
in 518 B.C.E.00:00:25
00:00:27
His work overlapped00:00:28
00:00:28
that of the prophet Haggai.00:00:30
00:00:32
The rebuilding of Jehovah’s temple
was at a standstill.00:00:35
00:00:35
It appeared to observers
that Jehovah had forsaken the city.00:00:39
00:00:41
The people there were discouraged00:00:43
00:00:43
and focused on personal comforts.00:00:45
00:00:46
Jehovah sent Zechariah
to join the prophet Haggai00:00:50
00:00:50
in encouraging the Jews
to resume the temple construction00:00:54
00:00:54
despite all obstacles.00:00:56
00:00:58
Did you know?00:01:00
00:01:00
Solomon’s temple was completed00:01:02
00:01:02
in just over seven years.00:01:04
00:01:04
In contrast,00:01:06
00:01:06
when Zechariah wrote his book,00:01:08
00:01:08
the reconstruction had been under way00:01:10
00:01:10
for about 20 years00:01:12
00:01:12
but without completion.00:01:15
00:01:18
The book of Zechariah contains 14 chapters.00:01:21
00:01:22
Chapters 1 to 600:01:24
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set forth a series of intriguing visions00:01:27
00:01:27
that ensured divine backing
of the work of rebuilding the temple00:01:31
00:01:31
and the return to pure worship.00:01:33
00:01:34
For example,00:01:36
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one vision features a woman named Wickedness00:01:38
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who is put into a container00:01:40
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and taken far away by two winged women.00:01:44
00:01:44
This illustrates that wickedness has no place00:01:48
00:01:48
among Jehovah’s people.00:01:50
00:01:51
Chapters 7 and 8 urge God’s people00:01:53
00:01:53
to turn from unjust treatment of the poor00:01:56
00:01:56
and to deal with one another
in loyal love and mercy.00:01:59
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Chapter 10 foretells00:02:02
00:02:02
Jehovah’s turning his favorable attention
to his repentant people.00:02:06
00:02:07
Zechariah also recorded00:02:09
00:02:09
several significant prophecies
about the Christ.00:02:13
00:02:14
He indicated that the future King
of God’s Kingdom00:02:17
00:02:17
would triumphantly enter Jerusalem
on a donkey.00:02:20
00:02:21
Zechariah foretold God’s true Shepherd00:02:23
00:02:23
would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.00:02:26
00:02:27
Zechariah also foretold details00:02:30
00:02:30
about this Messianic Shepherd’s death.00:02:32
00:02:34
Chapter 14 states00:02:35
00:02:35
that Jehovah forms a very great valley.00:02:39
00:02:39
This valley
is for the protection of his people00:02:42
00:02:42
and results
in a complete triumph of true worship.00:02:45
00:02:49
As you study the book of Zechariah,00:02:51
00:02:51
notice how Jehovah
makes his work succeed despite adversity,00:02:56
00:02:56
how he describes
the future King of his Kingdom,00:03:00
00:03:00
and how his loyal subjects
will remain safe in his valley of protection.00:03:04
Introduction to Zechariah
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Introduction to Zechariah
An introduction to the book of Zechariah.
Zechariah began to prophesy
in Jerusalem in 520 B.C.E.,
17 years after the return
from Babylonian exile.
He prophesied for at least two years,
completing the book bearing his name
in 518 B.C.E.
His work overlapped
that of the prophet Haggai.
The rebuilding of Jehovah’s temple
was at a standstill.
It appeared to observers
that Jehovah had forsaken the city.
The people there were discouraged
and focused on personal comforts.
Jehovah sent Zechariah
to join the prophet Haggai
in encouraging the Jews
to resume the temple construction
despite all obstacles.
Did you know?
Solomon’s temple was completed
in just over seven years.
In contrast,
when Zechariah wrote his book,
the reconstruction had been under way
for about 20 years
but without completion.
The book of Zechariah contains 14 chapters.
Chapters 1 to 6
set forth a series of intriguing visions
that ensured divine backing
of the work of rebuilding the temple
and the return to pure worship.
For example,
one vision features a woman named Wickedness
who is put into a container
and taken far away by two winged women.
This illustrates that wickedness has no place
among Jehovah’s people.
Chapters 7 and 8 urge God’s people
to turn from unjust treatment of the poor
and to deal with one another
in loyal love and mercy.
Chapter 10 foretells
Jehovah’s turning his favorable attention
to his repentant people.
Zechariah also recorded
several significant prophecies
about the Christ.
He indicated that the future King
of God’s Kingdom
would triumphantly enter Jerusalem
on a donkey.
Zechariah foretold God’s true Shepherd
would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.
Zechariah also foretold details
about this Messianic Shepherd’s death.
Chapter 14 states
that Jehovah forms a very great valley.
This valley
is for the protection of his people
and results
in a complete triumph of true worship.
As you study the book of Zechariah,
notice how Jehovah
makes his work succeed despite adversity,
how he describes
the future King of his Kingdom,
and how his loyal subjects
will remain safe in his valley of protection.
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