“Lesson 157: Zechariah 1–8,” Old Testament Seminary Student Material (2018)
“Lesson 157: Zechariah 1–8”
Lesson 157
Zechariah 1–8
Prepare to Learn
Prepare your mind and heart to learn. By actively participating in this lesson, you show your willingness to be taught by the Holy Ghost.
Begin your study with prayer.
What can we do if we feel overwhelmed by our imperfections or unable to fulfill our responsibilities? How do we find hope when we feel hopeless?
Listen as Sister Neill F. Marriott, who served in the Young Women General Presidency, testifies of how we can all feel hope through Jesus Christ.
Clean and Worthy
Imagine that you have been working hard all day on a project that has caused your clothes to become dirty. A friend stops by and invites you to go to his or her house for dinner. The friend tells you that an important guest will be there.
How would you feel if you arrived at the dinner without having washed yourself or changed your clothes?
Just as we would feel uncomfortable eating dinner with an important guest if we were physically unclean, we will feel uncomfortable in the Lord’s presence if we are spiritually unclean. As you study Zechariah 1–3, look for principles that teach how we can become clean and be worthy to live again with Heavenly Father.
Zechariah
Find Zechariah on the accompanying diagram. Zechariah was born during the time that the Jews were in exile in Babylon. He returned to the land of Jerusalem after King Cyrus set the Israelites free and was then called by the Lord to be their prophet (see Ezra 1:1–6). Zechariah is also mentioned in the book of Ezra (see Ezra 5–6).
As recorded in Zechariah 1–2, the Lord told the Jews through Zechariah, “Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you” (Zechariah 1:3). Zechariah prophesied that there would be peace in the land so that the temple could be rebuilt. This prophecy will be fulfilled again in the last days when the temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt prior to the Lord’s Second Coming. He also prophesied that in the last days, Judah would be gathered to Jerusalem and the Lord would “dwell in the midst of [His people]” (Zechariah 2:10–11).
Read Zechariah 3:1–3, looking for who stood “before the angel of the Lord” (verse 1) in Zechariah’s vision and what this person was wearing.
Quiz 1
“Filthy Garments”
In Zechariah’s vision recorded in Zechariah 3, “Joshua the high priest [stood] before the angel of the Lord” (verse 1). Satan was also present so that he could “resist,” or “accuse,” Joshua (see verse 1, footnote c). Verse 1, footnote b explains that one meaning of the name Satan is “the Adversary or Accuser.”
The “brand plucked out of the fire” in verse 2 refers to a stick that had been pulled from the fire. This stick represented the people of Judah who were delivered from exile when the Lord inspired King Cyrus to give his decree. Joshua in his “filthy garments” (verse 3) represented the people of Judah in their sinful state.
Read Zechariah 3:4–5, looking for what happened to Joshua. The clothing referred to in verse 5 was the clothing that priests wore to officiate in the temple. This included a “fair mitre,” which was “a clean (pure) cap” (see footnote a).
What phrase in verse 4 helps explain that this vision was about more than dirty clothing?
Clean Garments
The changing of Joshua’s garments symbolizes being cleansed from sin. Because the high priest represented the people before the Lord, the changing of Joshua’s garments could also symbolize the Jews removing the worldliness of Babylon and again becoming God’s holy people.
Read Zechariah 3:6–7, looking for what Joshua was commanded to do after he had been cleansed from sin and was prepared to officiate in the temple. From verse 7, the phrase to “walk in my ways” refers to keeping the Lord’s commandments, and “to keep my charge” means to do what the Lord has asked you to do. The phrase “these that stand by” (verse 7) refers to the heavenly messengers who had clothed Joshua in clean garments. To be given “places to walk among these that stand by” means that Joshua would be worthy to enter the Lord’s presence and dwell with those who live in the celestial kingdom.
According to verse 7, what was Joshua commanded to do?
What principle can we identify from Zechariah 3:1–7 about how we can be worthy to enter the Lord’s presence?
The Lord’s Ways
A principle you may have identified from Zechariah 3:1–7 is that if we are cleansed from sin and walk in the Lord’s ways, then we will be worthy to enter His presence.
1. Answer the following questions:
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Why do you think it is important to continue to walk in the Lord’s ways after we have been cleansed from sin?
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When have you seen someone walk in the Lord’s ways? What stood out to you about that person’s example?
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What are two or three specific things you will do to walk in the Lord’s ways so you can worthily enter the Lord’s presence?
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
In what ways are you preparing yourself, your family, and others for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
As recorded in Zechariah 3:8–6:8, Zechariah had a series of visions in which he saw the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. He was shown that wickedness would be removed from the earth at that time (see Zechariah 3:8–9).
Do you remember that Joshua the high priest represented the tribe of Judah in Zechariah’s vision? We read in Zechariah 6:9–15 that the Lord commanded Zechariah to “make crowns” of “silver and gold” and to “set them upon the head of Joshua” (verse 11). This act was a symbol used to teach the people that Jesus Christ is the King of Israel and will “rule upon his throne” forever (verse 13).
The Jews’ Reasons for Fasting
While in exile in Babylon for 70 years, the Jews had mourned the loss of their land and the destruction of the temple. As part of their mourning, they had fasted regularly. As recorded in Zechariah 7:1–3, the people asked Zechariah if they needed to continue fasting even though they had returned to Jerusalem and were rebuilding the temple. This question showed that the Jews did not fully understand the purposes of the fast.
Read Zechariah 7:4–7, looking for what the Lord asked the people about their reasons for fasting.
According to verses 5–6, what did the Lord say the people were focusing on when they fasted or worshipped? What should have been the focus of their worship?
What truth can we identify from these verses about who we should focus on when we worship?
The Focus of Our Worship
From Zechariah 7:4–7 we can identify the truth that when we worship, we should focus on the Lord and not on ourselves.
2. Answer the following questions:
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Besides fasting, what are other ways we can worship the Lord?
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Why is it important that our worship be focused on the Lord and on our relationship with Him?
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How have you tried to make your worship of the Lord more focused on Him?
Your Personal Worship
To help you evaluate your motives for worshipping and the focus of your personal worship, complete the following statements in your personal journal or in your Notes on LDS.org. This will be a private activity; you will not share your responses with others.
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I go to church in order to …
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I pray in order to …
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I fast in order to …
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I go to the temple in order to …
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I serve others in order to …
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I study the scriptures in order to …
How can you focus more on the Lord during your worship? Set a goal in the area in which you feel you need the most improvement, and record it in your personal journal or in your Notes on LDS.org.
A Reminder to Keep the Commandments
How can your personal relationship with the Lord influence and deepen your care and concern for others?
We read in Zechariah 7:8–8:23 that the Lord reminded the Jews of commandments He had given them through past prophets. These commandments included instructions to treat others kindly and to care for the poor. Because the Jews had previously refused to follow the prophets and had hardened their hearts, they had lost the Lord’s help and protection and had been scattered. Zechariah prophesied that in the last days the Lord would restore Jerusalem and gather His people and that “many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord” (Zechariah 8:22).
Your Testimony
As you draw closer to the Lord through focusing on Him during your worship, you will want to help others do the same. While your righteous example is powerful and needed, your direct and humble testimony can help others understand why you live the way you do. Look for an opportunity to share something you learned from this lesson with someone you know.
Answer Key
Quiz 1: (1) c; (2) a; (3) a