Zechariah 1:1-6

I. INTRODUCTION 1:1-6

That this pericope introduces the whole book seems clear since Zechariah 1:7 introduces the eight night visions that follow it (Zechariah 1:7 to Zechariah 6:8). Its content is also foundational to all that follows.

"It strikes the keynote of the entire book, and is one of the strongest and most intensely spiritual calls to repentance to be found anywhere in the Old Testament." [Note: George L. Robinson, The Twelve Minor Prophets, p. 150. Cf. Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Toward an Old Testament Theology, p. 253.]

"The initial six verses of the first chapter of Zechariah constitute a synopsis of a sermon of the prophet. Its theme strikes the keynote of the entire book and forms an indispensable introduction to it. The truth it enunciates is one which runs throughout the revealed ways of God with man; namely, the appropriation and enjoyment of God’s promises of blessing must be prefaced by genuine repentance." [Note: Unger, p. 20.]

". . . these introductory verses take the place of a call narrative [cf. Isaiah 6; Jeremiah 1; Ezekiel 1-2]." [Note: Longman and Dillard, p. 491.]