On Zechariah
A Timely Message
by
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In His earthly ministry, Jesus originally came to and for only those of Israel (John 1:11). And again, while in Judea, He didn’t go out to fight (Luke 14:27, 22:67; Matt. 26:52; John 8:59, 11:54). Jesus slipped through the crowds or they dispersed before Him without a fight (except perhaps at the turning over of the money changers’ tables to make a statement). He didn’t have to go out to fight, but the disciples were sent out from Jerusalem to tell and to baptize (Matt. 28:18). So what does it mean the Lord shall “go out” or “go forth”?
Significantly, the resurrected Jesus did go “out” to fight when He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9), and He is still fighting against the nations of the worldly. But He had to come first. Zechariah’s words show that the Lord Jesus came and went out to fight (Zech. 13:7, 14:1, 4). He went “out” during that scene in which Zechariah noted His feet stood “on the Mount of Olives” (Zech. 14:4). So here in Zechariah’s oracle on Israel is an item of great significance to the church and its birth.
And his [the Lord’s] feet shall stand in that day on the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall split in the middle thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain [of Olives?] shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (Zech. 14:4)
Historically the Angel of the Lord fought and protected those of Israel as the “family of God” on many occasions (Ex. 14:13–30; Josh. 5:14; 2 Kings 19:35). For example, God fought against the chariots of Egypt with waves of water as the children walked forward with Moses carrying treasure from the Egyptians. The Angel of the Lord fought against Jericho while the children marched, shouted, and blew trumpets. ……..
It was Jesus’ fight, the Lord’s battle, and it was with God’s action and planning (1 Sam. 17:47; Ps. 44:5; Rom. 15:12, 13; Isa. 52:15; Ex. 14:14; Rev. 17:14). ……
The “mountain” that split and moved to the north and to the south was Christ’s kingdom. Mountains often symbolized governments. Daniel noted that Christ’s kingdom would be a mountain growing to cover the earth (Dan. 2). The text or the translators seem to combine the Mount of Olives, mountain of olives, and My mountain. Olives were a source of oil, and previously in Zechariah, they were symbolic of the light-giving Spirit (Zech. 4:3ff). A mountain of olives might therefore indicate a large government with the light-giving Spirit. …..
The apostles Jude, Peter, Matthew, and Thomas traveled to the east with the good news. Jude apparently went to Armenia and Thomas to India. The apostle James is believed to have been one of the first who traveled west. However, most of the apostles eventually traveled toward the north, especially Paul, whom God made the apostle to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:8). In every case, the power of the Spirit went forward; the Christ inside carried forth the fight with His disciples as directed by Jesus from the throne in heaven.
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God symbolically showed Zechariah the Ten Commandments covering the promised land, and He warned of consequences. [Zec.5.3] They apply to us today too. Zechariah looked forward to a day when the exiled returnees would say. “Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty”. [8.21] They did. [Neh.8] We need to seek Him too! Zechariah foresaw the Lord would be King over the entire world. [Zec.14.9] He is!! We know Him as Jesus, Israel’s promised Messiah. [Mt.16.16] Within the Book of Zechariah, God declared Him “my shepherd” [Zec.13.7]; “the man who is close to me”[13.7]; “my servant” [3.8]; “the stone with 7-eyes” [3.9]; and the “Branch” [3.8]. Zechariah spoke of Him as “the word of the lord” [1.1]; “the angel of the lord” [1.11]; “my lord” [4.4]; and Jerusalem’s king [9.9]. The world needs to take note! He is Lord and King now! [1Cor.1.2; 1Pe.2.10; Rev.19.16]
Zechariah was a prophet, priest, and pretype for Jesus. He provided verifications for Jesus being the promised Messiah. God knows the end from the beginning. [e.g. Dan.2; 9; Isa.46.10; Rev.21.6] History has verified the visions given Daniel. But the words given to Zechariah through preincarnate Jesus, especially within the “Oracle on Israel” [12.1-14.21], are still in the process of being confirmed. [e.g. 13.9; 14.16, 20]
This commentary on the Book of Zechariah is like no other. That book has been reprinted with interpretations for its pronouns and symbols inserted to reduce the frequent arbitrariness of interpretations often imposed. Millennial concepts and eschatological models are questioned. Even a suggested calendar day for Christ’s return is included. Many will undoubtedly take issue.
About the Author
R. J. Plugge was an aerospace engineer for forty years, specializing in microwave communications and electromagnetics. Now he’s writing Bible studies with the perspective of an engineer—not a theologian or storyteller.
He was degreed in engineering and divinity. A previous reviewer for the IEEE, he has published within engineering periodicals. While employed in Colorado, he served at a church and was ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.