Discussion Questions
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The book of Zechariah is known for its clear Messianic prophecies. How do you put together the pictures of the coming Messiah as both suffering servant and king (see Zechariah 3:8-9; 9:9; 12:10; 13:7; 14:9)?
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3 Replies
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1 Peter 1:10-12 talks about the prophets ministry of writing. They wrote things that sometimes probably did not make sense to them. The book of Ephesians reveals that there are some things that were mysteries in the Old Testament – not revealed. It is only through God’s revelation of His plan through Jesus’ life on earth and the rest of the the New Testament writings that we are able to understand the Messiah coming first as the suffering Servant and then coming again as a conquering King. The two comings of Christ revealed in the New Testament show the harmony of what God was saying through the prophets, but it was not understood until God revealed it.
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I can imagine that it may have been confusing for the people of Zechariah’s day (and in Jesus’ day) that the Messiah is described as both a servant as well as a king. We have such a privilege to look back in hindsight, knowing that Jesus is a king like no other, who came as a servant who would give his life as a ransom (Matt. 20:28). Zechariah 9:9 helps to reconcile these images, showing that Jesus is, in fact, a king – worthy of exaltation, but who chose a lowly and humble existence who would ultimately die. In doing so, we know that this single act would finally establish His true Kingdom.
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The Messiah is a suffering servant because he suffered to liberate humankind from Satan, He died in the process.
the Messiah is a king because after he died he resurrected and lives now for ever. He will come back as a king for his church.
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What similarities and differences do you see between the messages preached by Haggai and Zechariah?
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3 Replies
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The thrust of Haggai and Zechariah is the same: get the temple built. Haggai focuses on what is observable to the people and uses these circumstances to encourage the people, through the word of God. Zechariah has a much more spiritual focus. Getting the temple built was the starting point, what God wanted them to do at that moment, as a step towards all that God had / has planned for the future.
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Both Haggai and Zechariah were written to encourage the Israelites not to get disheartened and distracted as they rebuilt the temple. Zechariah, however, takes this further by emphasizing the relationship between God and His people, and the covenant He established between them. Zechariah gives hope to look toward the future, more than just a rebuilt temple, but a fully restored Kingdom beyond any earthly kingdom in the fullness of relationship with God.
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The similarity is that both prophets prophesy about the house of the Lord.