Zechariah sees the vision of the golden candlestick and the two olive trees. The olive oil is a picture of the work of the Holy Spirit. God accomplishes His work, not by might or by power, but by the working of His Spirit. The entire vision centers on this truth.

Zechariah speaks of the cleansing and service of Joshua, the high priest at the time of the return from Babylonian captivity. He also points to the coming of the BRANCH and the redemption of the land of Israel.

The priests had already been divided into twenty-four courses in order to organize their work more efficiently. Now, the Levites who cared about the service of the temple, the porters, are organized in the same way.

In this vision, Zechariah sees a man measuring the breadth and length of Jerusalem. Though Zion has been scattered, the people are to return to the holy land where God will dwell in the midst of them. He shall choose Jerusalem again.

After seventy years of judgment on Israel, God is ready to speak good and comfortable words to the nation. The horns that have scattered them will soon be cut off.

Zechariah prophesied at the same time as Haggai. He spoke to the Israelites who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. The message of this book is one of encouragement. It looks forward to the restoration of Israel and the coming of the Messiah. The visions recorded in Zechariah are often thought to be difficult to understand. Do not worry over understanding everything about them at once. Enjoy learning what God has in them. This passage introduces you to the first of Zechariah