Zechariah 1:1, commentary and pictures

The word of the Lord came to Zechariah in the eighth month of the second year of Darius. That beginning of his message came two months after Haggai's last recorded message. That beginning of his prophecy came only a few days after Haggai assured the returned exiles that the glory of the new temple would surpass the glory of the former temple. Zechariah was a captive from Babylon whom the Lord called into service, showing that God calls people from every rank and circumstance to do His work.

The visions and symbolic messages that follow came when the Jews feared that permission to rebuild the temple might be withdrawn. They were given to encourage and sustain the builders with assurance of God's compassion and care. The opening message assured them that God's word never fails and promised blessing to those who heed the sure word of prophecy.

The first four chapters beginning here are the Lord's word for the last days, and the scenes they describe will be fulfilled as surely as the desolation of San Francisco. The passage beginning here is included among Old Testament prophecies for the last days whose described events will surely be fulfilled. The reference to this passage has been connected with a warning of judgment on thieves and those who swear falsely involving the flying roll, though that vision is recorded in chapter 5 verses 1 to 4 rather than in chapter 1 verses 1 to 4.