Zechariah

Zechariah and Haggai were contemporaries. Zechariah is more symbolic and abstract (kind of like John of the New Testament). Haggai was concerned with practical matters---particularly the neglect of the temple.

John Trapp wrote, “Haggai lays down the mind of God to the people more plainly in direct and downright terms; Zechariah flies a higher pitch, abounding with types and visions; and is therefore worthily reckoned among the abstrusest and profoundest penmen of Holy Scripture . . . We pass from dark prophecies to that which is much more dark.” Here's the Introductory commentary from the BKC:

In an often-quoted statement, George L. Robinson has called the Book of Zechariah “the most messianic, the most truly apocalyptic and eschatological of all the writings of the Old Testament” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1956, 5:3136). The messianic emphasis of Zechariah accounts for its frequent citation by New Testament authors. Nestle and Aland list 41 New Testament citations or allusions to Zechariah’s book (Eberhard Nestle and Kurt Aland, eds., Novum Testamentum Graece. New York: American Bible Society, 1950, pp. 670-1).

From the ESV Study Bible:

"Nearly 20 years after their return from the Babylonian exile in the time of Cyrus (538 b.c.), discouragement dogged God's people, replacing their earlier enthusiasm. The foundation of the temple had been laid shortly after the initial return, in 536 b.c., but powerful opposition had prevented any further progress on rebuilding the temple. Though Persian foreign policy accorded a significant role to local traditions—unlike the previous overlords, the Babylonians (prior to 538 b.c.)—life was still hard in the province of Judah (often referred to as “Yehud” in this period). Taxes were high, especially as the Persian king, Darius Hystaspes, prepared for a campaign against Egypt. There was little evidence of the kind of transformation of the state of things that the earlier prophets had anticipated, whether externally in a restoration of Jewish sovereignty, or internally in a moral reformation of the people. In particular, the city of Jerusalem was still only partially rebuilt and was on the sidelines of world significance. Under the circumstances, it was easy for the people to conclude that theirs was a “day of small things” (4:10) in which God was absent from his people. In such a context, faithful obedience was viewed by many as useless: pragmatically, it made more sense to pursue the best life possible in spite of the present difficulties.

Zechariah addressed such discouragement by reminding his hearers that, though hidden, God's envoys were watching everything, and that when the time was right, he would act to reorder the universe (1:8–11). Their forefathers had discovered God's faithfulness to judge his people if they failed to heed the words of the prophets (1:4–6). If the people would heed the words of the prophets and turn to the Lord, they would discover him turning to them. He would trouble the nations who were enjoying rest and grant rest to his troubled people, making Jerusalem once again the center of the world, a place of universal pilgrimage (1:14–17). The temple that was being rebuilt and the priesthood that would serve in it were signs of the Lord's commitment to his people, a commitment that would be demonstrated by the ultimate removal of all their sin from the land (3:8–10). This would happen when the promised Davidic king, the Branch, arrived (3:8). The result would be peace, harmony, and prosperity for all the inhabitants of the land, as the Lord once more dwelt in their midst."

Zechariah was a Levite born in Babylon. He prophesied to Judah and Jerusalem. He was the grandson of Iddo the priest, and a Levite. He was a contemporary of Haggai, and of Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest. He returned from Babylon to Jerusalem with about 50,000 Jewish exiles and was probably significantly younger than Haggai. (all of this paraphrased from the BKC introduction). 

One night, 8 Visions 

1. horses

2. horns

3. measuring line

4. Joshua with filthy garments before angel, Satan accusing, stone with seven eyes before Joshua, branch...

5. lampstand, bowl, 2 olive trees

6. flying scroll

7. women in basket, women carrying basket

8. 4 chariots with horses (black, red, white, dappled) mountains of bronze

KEY VERSE: Zec 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

Two witnesses, lampstand, and olive trees are alluded to in Revelation 11:3:


From the Jewish Cervera Bible, Spain, around 1299.

"And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days." Revelation 11:3

"The description of the two witnesses as olive trees and lampstands has an Old Testament background (Zec_4:2-14). The two witnesses in this passage were Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor. Their connection to the lampstands was that they were empowered by the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the olive oil. In a similar way the two witnesses of Rev_11:1-19 will be empowered by the Holy Spirit." -BKC

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http://zealousshadow.deviantart.com/art/Vision-Zechariah-5-5-9-91933686 

Interesting vision with the two women with wind in their wings carrying "sin" in the basket. I think this is the only female angel reference I'm aware of---worth looking into.

BKC alludes to the idea that these women are demonic in nature, that the image has to do with evil returning to Babylon.

Zec 7:13 "As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear," says the LORD of hosts,

"They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of hosts."

Zechariah 7:12

(2) The population will increase in a setting of peace (4-5)

Two signs of blessing - old age and young age. These are the indefensible and the first to go. So if they are wandering around then that is a sign of peace. When God dwells among them, there will be truth and justice and it will be safe enough for old women and young children to go out. --bible.org

It's worthwhile to think about this....God will save the common folk first.

7 "I, GOD, will begin by restoring the common households of Judah so that the glory of David's family and the leaders in Jerusalem won't overshadow the ordinary people in Judah.