The first words the prophet Zechariah (whose name means 'the LORD remembers) is given to give to God's people is a call for the people to return to the LORD. The LORD points to the fact that the people's forefather didn't take heed when the LORD had come to them through the prophets and so they ended up deported to Babylon. When the LORD speaks THAT is the time to act! Already God's people had been back in Judah and Jerusalem for 18 years, yet the temple of the LORD had not been rebuilt. It was still in ruins.

Zechariah here receives his first of many visions from the LORD. The nations are at rest when God's people are not yet at rest. How long would this last? Would God return to Jerusalem? Would His presence return to the temple? Would Jerusalem be rebuilt? Would Israel/God's people prosper? These questions are answered in this vision.