26 Dec. Zechariah urges the Jewish exiles to return to the LORD
“In the eighth month of Darius’s second year as king, the LORD spoke his word to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, who was the son of Iddo. The LORD said, ‘The LORD was very angry with your ancestors.’”
“’So tell the people: this is what the LORD All-powerful says: “Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD All-powerful.’”
“’Don’t be like your ancestors. In the past the prophets said to them: this is what the LORD All-powerful says: “Stop your evil ways and evil actions.” But they wouldn’t listen or pay attention to me, says the LORD.’”
“’Your ancestors are dead, and those prophets didn’t live for ever. I commanded my words and laws to my servants the prophets, and they preached to your ancestors, who returned to me. They said, “The LORD All-powerful did as he said he would. He punished us for the way we lived and for what we did.”’”
(Zechariah 1:1-6)
The Book of Zechariah was written about the same time as the Book of Haggai (in c.520BC). Through a series of visions and prophesies in Chapters 1-8, Zechariah urged the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem (see Ezra 3:1-13, 5:1 and 6:14).
In Chapters 9-14, Zechariah looked ahead to the coming of the Messiah and the final Day of Judgement.
Zechariah prophesied to Zerubbabel (the governor), Joshua (the high priest) and the returned exiles in Jerusalem between c.520BC and c.518BC during the reign of King Darius of Persia (522-486BC).
Zechariah pleaded with the Jewish people to return to the LORD. Zechariah warned that the God of Israel said to his people, “Return to me, and I will return to you... Don't be like your ancestors... they wouldn't listen or pay attention to me.” (Zechariah 1:3-4)
You can read about Zechariah’s vision of horses (from the First Chapter of the Book of Zechariah, verses 7-20) @ The Bible Journey | Zechariah has visions of horses & horns