Bible study course
An advanced, collegiate, eight-lesson academic study of the Book of Zechariah, exploring the post-exilic temple restoration under Darius I of Persia, the eight apocalyptic night visions (the horsemen among the myrtles, the four horns and craftsmen, the measuring line, the cleansing of Joshua the high priest, the golden menorah and two olive trees, the flying scroll, the woman in the ephah exiled to Babylon, and the four patrol chariots), the priest-king coronation of the Branch, the transformation of mournful fasts into joyous feasts, the humble King entering on a donkey, the rejection of the Good Shepherd for thirty pieces of silver, the siege of Jerusalem and mourning for the Pierced One, the opened fountain for sin, the striking of Yahweh Shepherd-Associate, the cleaving of the Mount of Olives, living waters, and the universal inscription: Holy to Yahweh.
An academic exegesis of Zechariah 1:1 to 2:13, examining the post-exilic historical setting under Darius I of Persia, the foundational prophetic summons to return to Yahweh, the first vision of the horsemen among the myrtle trees in the glen, the second vision of the four horns and four craftsmen, the third vision of the man with the measuring line, the promise of Jerusalem as a city without walls protected by a wall of fire, and the warning that he who touches Zion touches the apple of God eye.
An advanced collegiate exegesis of Zechariah 3:1 to 4:14, analyzing the fourth night vision of Joshua the high priest standing in filthy garments before the Angel of Yahweh while Satan accuses him, the divine rebuke of the adversary, the sovereign removal of guilt and clothing in festival robes, the messianic prophecy of the Servant the Branch (Tsemach) and the stone with seven eyes, the fifth vision of the golden menorah flanked by two olive trees, and the immortal pneumatological axiom given to Zerubbabel: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says Yahweh of hosts."
A collegiate analysis of Zechariah 5:1 to 6:15, examining the final three night visions (the flying scroll purging covenant thieves and perjurers, the woman called Wickedness sealed in an ephah basket and exiled to Shinar, and the four bronze chariots patrolling the earth) and the climactic messianic sign-act where gold and silver crowns are placed upon Joshua the high priest, uniting the royal and priestly crowns in the man whose name is the Branch (Tsemach).
A collegiate study of Zechariah 7:1 to 8:23, analyzing the delegation from Bethel inquiring whether to continue mourning the destruction of the temple, the divine exposure of self indulgent religious fasting, the fourfold ethical requirements of the covenant, the historical warning of fathers whose hearts became like diamond flint (shamir), the dramatic transformation of mournful fasts into glad festivals of joy, and the magnificent eschatological vision of ten men from all nations taking hold of the hem (tzitzit) of a Jew saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you!"
An advanced collegiate exegesis of Zechariah 9:1 to 17, tracing the divine military sweep through Syria, Phoenicia, and Philistia, the garrison defending Yahweh house, the immortal messianic entry of the humble King riding upon the colt of a donkey (quoted in Matthew 21:5 and John 12:15), the cutting off of war horses and the universal peace from sea to sea, the release of prisoners from the waterless pit by the blood of the covenant, the prisoners of hope (asirei ha-tiqvah), and Yahweh appearing like lightning to save His flock like jewels of a crown.
A collegiate study of Zechariah 10:1 to 11:17, examining the call to ask rain from Yahweh, the condemnation of household idols and false shepherds, the transformation of Judah into a majestic war horse from whom comes the cornerstone and tent peg, the dramatic prophetic sign-act of shepherding the flock doomed to slaughter (tson ha-haregah), the two staffs called Favor (No-am) and Union (Chovelim), the contemptuous wage of thirty pieces of silver thrown to the potter in the house of Yahweh (fulfilled in Matthew 27:3 to 10), and the judgment of the worthless shepherd.
An advanced collegiate exegesis of Zechariah 12:1 to 13:9, examining the apocalyptic siege of Jerusalem as an immovable heavy stone (even ma-amasah) that shatters its attackers, the divine promise to pour out the Spirit of grace and pleas for mercy on the house of David, the world historic prophecy of looking on Him whom they pierced and mourning as for an only son (quoted in John 19:37 and Revelation 1:7), the opened fountain for sin and uncleanness, the purge of false prophets, and the striking of the Shepherd who stands next to Yahweh (quoted in Matthew 26:31).
A collegiate capstone exegesis of Zechariah 14:1 to 21, analyzing the apocalyptic climax of the Day of Yahweh, the gathering of all nations to battle against Jerusalem, the personal divine descent of Yahweh upon the Mount of Olives causing it to split in two, the unique day of perpetual evening light, the perennial living waters flowing east and west, the global proclamation: "Yahweh will be King over all the earth; on that day Yahweh will be one and His name one", the celebration of the Feast of Booths by the nations, and universal consecration where even the horse bells bear the inscription: "Holy to Yahweh."