Prophesying at the same time as Haggai, and during the return from exile recorded in the book of Ezra, Zechariah rebukes the people for breaking the covenant and calls them to repent and turn to God. There is a strong message about justice in the public square in Zechariah. There are also many references to the coming Messiah, one of which directly connects with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Scripture: Zechariah 1-14, with focus on 6:12; 9:9; 11:12; 12:10; 13:7
Sermon OutlinE
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
Seeing through the Mist: Introducing Zechariah
Eight Visions about God’s Purposes (Zechariah 1-8)
- Visions 1 & 8: Four Horsemen announcing peace and rest for the earth (1:7-17 & 6:1-8)
- Visions 2 & 7: Four Horns and a Woman in a Basket referring to Israel’s past sin and exile (1:18-21 & 5:5-11)
- Visions 3 & 6: A Man with a Measuring Line and a Flying Scroll depicting the rebuilt and purified new Jerusalem (2:1-13 & 5:1-4)
- Visions 4 & 5: The high priest, Joshua, in clean clothes and two olive trees by a golden lampstand symbolizing new leadership (3:1-10 & 4:1-14) – images of Messiah
The True King is Coming with an Everlasting Kingdom (Zechariah 9-14)
- Section 1 (9-11): The humble king and the Lord as Shepherd
- Section 2: (12-14): The purification of God’s people and God’s arrival as King
Jesus the True King and the Purposes of God (Matthew 21:1-11; Revelation 21:1-5)
- Jesus the True (and Humble) King
- The Purposes of God
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Haggai was one of the few successful prophets – his audience actually listened to him. What other minor prophet was successful in getting the people to heed his words? (Hint: He didn’t want to be successful.)
- Look at Deuteronomy 28:15-19 and see the curses God warned His people He would deliver if they disobeyed Him. How do we see these curses play out in the book of Haggai? (See Haggai 1:6, 10-11 and 2:17)
- God also gave the promise of blessings if his people obeyed him. (See Deuteronomy 28:1-6) Why did God say He would stop the “blight, mildew and hail” and bless His people (Haggai 2:19b)?
- God didn’t give this same blessing and curse promise to the church, so we can’t apply it the same way they could in ancient Israel. But reflect on Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” How is our call to put God first similar to the call to the people in Haggai’s day to put God first?
- God allowed Zerubbabel to be appointed governor of Judah by King Cyrus. How might Zerubbabel’s role have helped the people hold on to the hope of a Davidic king?
- The writer of Hebrews quotes Haggai 2:6 in Hebrews 12:26. What does the writer of Hebrews say the Haggai verse refers to?
- Wouldn’t you love to be a signet ring on God’s hand? You’d be safe and secure, and you would know God is using you to write His story. Think about how encouraging Hag 2:23 would have been to Zerubbabel, the prince in the line of David, who wondered if God would still honor His covenant with His people.
- In Haggai 1:13, the Lord tells the people, “I am with you”. If you knew God Almighty was right there with you, is there anything you would be afraid to do?
- Which one of the 4 “Haggai Life Hacks” is speaking to your heart the most?