Summary of Zechariah 1:1
“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo”
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 2: Zechariah 1:1
3a) Zechariah was a prophet of the Lord who was called to prophesy to the people. His grandfather was a priest who returned with Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and with Joshua to Jerusalem, who was the head of a priestly family.
b) The timing of Zechariah’s prophecy sets it two months after Haggai’s first prophecy (Haggai 1:1) and within a month after another prophecy of Haggai (Haggai 2:1). This was between October and November of 520 B.C.
4a) Zechariah and Haggai were trying to get the people to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Jerusalem was paralyzed by fear and apathy. Temple construction had ceased for 14 years due to political enemies. The people prioritized their own luxury homes while God’s house lay in ruins, causing severe economic hardship. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah arrived to shatter this stagnation and spark immediate action.
b) That He cares about them and loves them infinitely. It reveals a relentless desire to dwell with His people. God refuses to abandon them to apathy or fear. By initiating contact, He shows that He remembers His covenant and values their relationship above their failures, actively intervening to restore their hope, purpose, and future glory.
c) He has guided me in the right direction and corrected me, too, if I misstepped. He always has the answers if we pray and listen and take the step we believe is right.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1
Wouldn’t it be cool if God called us now like He did in OT times? I am grateful for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but to have God’s direct words from others must have been something to behold!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1
Zechariah is a prophet who lived at the same time as Haggai. He encouraged the Israelites to return to God and rebuild the temple. He wanted the Israelites’ spirits to renew and harken for God.
Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers.”
This is after the people have returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. Note that there is no king of Judah or Israel at this time. Darius sits on the throne of Persia.
Be on the lookout for pictures and symbols that Zechariah is fond of using.
Fun Fact: There are at least 27 different Zechariahs mentioned in the Bible.
Zechariah encouraged the people by telling them how much God cares for them and wants to use them for His purposes.
It’s interesting to note that Jesus mentioned Zechariah in Matthew 23:35
Fun Fact: Zechariah refers to Jesus more than any other Old Testament prophet except for Isaiah.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Zechariah 1:1 serves as the historical and theological anchor for the entire book.
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Historical Reality: By dating the prophecy to the “second year of Darius” (approx. Oct/Nov 520 BC), the text acknowledges that Israel is currently under foreign (Persian) domination, not a sovereign kingdom. It places the message two months after Haggai began preaching, creating a united front for spiritual renewal.
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Thematic Hope: The prophet’s name, Zechariah, means “Yahweh remembers.” His lineage (son of Berechiah) implies “Yahweh blesses.” This immediately counters the people’s fear that God had forgotten them in their post-exile struggle.
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Divine Authority: The phrase “the word of the LORD came” validates that this is a direct revelation from God, not merely social commentary or human wisdom.
Conclusion
God is sovereign over human calendars and foreign kings; even in times of political weakness and delay, He remembers His covenant and intervenes in history at the exact right moment.
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