The Old Testament ends with short prophetic books and less known authors than Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Isaiah for example. Among these authors is the prophet Zechariah, who created the book of Zechariah, second-to-last book of the Old Testament. Let us find out who Zechariah is in the Bible and the prophetic words he wrote.
The Bible presents Zechariah as the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo. The prophecies he recounts begin during the reign of King Darius. At that time, Zechariah was one of the few prophets who still authentically relayed the messages they received from God.
The main message that Zechariah announced was that of return to God. Indeed, God had commanded him: Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 1:3). He also announces the coming of Messiah and reveals an era in which God grants his salvation to all those who come to him to ask him for it, without favoritism and without distinction. He thus predicts the coming of the Savior of the world, Jesus, in whose name all men receive salvation.
“The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 2:12)
“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,’ declares the Lord.” (Zechariah 2:10)
The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2)
“The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ Then he said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.’ Then I said, ‘Put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by." (Zechariah 3:4-5)
“So 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 Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’” (Zechariah 7:10)
“The word of the Lord Almighty came to me. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.” (Zechariah 8:1-2)
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)
“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” (Zechariah 10:1)
“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.” (Zechariah 13:1)