Zechariah's Eight Visions
for Israel
by Clarence Wagner
Zechariah
is one of my favorite prophets. Perhaps it is because he talks
so much about God's love for His people and His land of Israel,
which is also one of my favorite topics. God's passion for Israel
as expressed by Zechariah is not a sappy kind of infatuation.
Rather, it is a more mature love that displays God's deep and
abiding commitment to love, defend and bless Israel, despite her
flaws, if only she would renew her love and commitment to Him.
In Zechariah 1:3, God pleads to Israel, "This is what the
Lord Almighty says: 'Return to Me,' declares the Lord Almighty,
'and I will return to you.'" Zechariah's message is very
messianic and future-looking, and reveals much about the end times
in which we are living. Scholars list 41 citations or allusions
to Zechariah's prophecies in the New Testament (Nestle, pp. 670-1),
indicating that its message goes far beyond the immediate time
in which it was written. Looking at the eight visions together,
you can see it is God's message to restore Israel and the nations
to their right relationship to one another, and to Him as the
God of the world.
The Setting
The prophet Zechariah was active
towards the end of the 6th century BC, prophesying in Jerusalem
after the return from the Babylonian Exile. He was a Levite born
in Babylon (Neh. 12:1, 16), and he was both a prophet and a priest.
His name means, "Yahweh remembers." He was a contemporary
of Haggai the prophet, Zerubbabel the governor, and Joshua the
high priest (Ezra 5:1-2; Zech. 3:1; 4:6; 6:11). As a young man,
he returned to Jerusalem from Babylon with the first returnees,
a smallish contingent of 50,000 souls. Let's look at a bit of
history to put Zechariah's message into context.
Because of Israel's rebellion against
the ways of God (Zech. 1:2-6), not only did the Assyrians exile
the northern kingdom in 722 BC, but also the Babylonians took
the southern kingdom of Judah captive in 586 BC (Zech. 1:2-6).
This second exile ended when the Babylonian Empire fell to the
Persian Empire (539 BC), and Cyrus the Great decreed that the
Jews could return to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple (Ezra 1:2-4).
Shortly after their return, Levitical sacrifices were reinstituted
on a rebuilt altar of burnt offering (Ezra 3:1-6), and in the
second year of the return, the foundation of the temple was laid
(Ezra 3:8-13; 5:16). However, because of external opposition and
internal depression, the building of the Temple was halted for
about 16 more years. It was at this time (520 BC) that Haggai
appeared and preached four sermons in four months encouraging
the Jews to rebuild, and then he disappeared from the scene (Ezra
5:1-2). Two months after Haggai delivered his first sermon, Zechariah
began his prophetic ministry (cf. Hag. 1:1 and Zech. 1:1). He
encouraged the people to spiritual renewal and motivated them
to rebuild the Temple by revealing to them God's plans for Israel's
future. With this encouragement, the Temple reconstruction was
completed in 515 BC, five years later.
Zechariah opens his book with an
exhortation for Israel to repent quickly so that they could be
in the position to receive God's blessing. God confirmed that
He was very angry with the forefathers of Israel who did not hearken
to the words of the prophets, who were sent to call them to repentance.
However, even though God used Gentile nations to come up against
Israel in judgment, He was even angrier with them because they
went too far. At this point, Zechariah received eight prophetic
visions for Israel, which all follow the same pattern, i.e., a)
introductory words, b) a description of the things seen, c) a
question by Zechariah to the angel for the meaning, and d) the
explanation by the angel (Baldwin, pp. 92-3).
Let us look at each of these eight
visions and see for ourselves what God plans for Israel. Please
read each passage indicated with each vision along with this Teaching
Letter to get the most complete picture and interpretation.
1. The Man Among the Myrtle Trees
(Zechariah 1:7-17)
Meaning: God's anger against
the nations and blessing on restored Israel.
In this vision, there was a man riding
a red horse, standing in a grove of myrtle trees in a ravine.
Behind him were red, brown and white horses. The angel of the
Lord explained that these horses were sent throughout the earth,
and found the world at rest and peace. But, Israel was not at
rest and peace. In fact, it had been exiled for 70 years and Jerusalem
was in ruins. Then God lamented over His beloved people and the
land of Israel. He declares, "I am very jealous for Jerusalem
and Zion, but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure.
I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity. Therefore,
this is what the Lord says, 'I will return to Jerusalem with mercy,
and there My house will be rebuilt. My towns will again overflow
with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose
Jerusalem'" (Zech. 1:14b-15,17).
The
message of this vision is that God was angry at the nations of
the world, which spoiled Israel, and that He would bless restored
Israel again, showing His faithfulness. Isaiah had already prophesied
something similar, "I became angry with My people and desecrated
My inheritance; I gave them into your hand, and you showed them
no mercy, even on the aged, you laid a very heavy yoke Disaster
will come upon you, and you will not know how to conjure it away.
A calamity will fall upon you that you cannot ward off with a
ransom; a catastrophe you cannot foresee will suddenly come upon
you" (Isa. 47:6,11). The man standing at attention with his
red horse seems to be awaiting a report of his reconnaissance
patrol. Their report that the world was at peace could be a double
reference. There was the appearance of peace in Zechariah's day,
because of the hegemony of Darius and Persian rule, somewhat like
the Pax Romanus, during the later period of Rome. However, this
was not good news for Israel, since that placed them under Gentile
domination. However, the reference to the report from "the
whole world" indicates a future prophetic time when everyone
except Israel is seemingly at peace in their borders, while Israel
is not - somewhat like today.
The Jewish Sages in the Aggadah (Sanhedrin
93a), say that the man with the red horse "refers only to
the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said 'The Lord is a man
of war; the Lord is His Name'" (Ex. 15:3). Rashi says that
the red color shows He will mete out divine retribution on the
nations for spoiling Israel; and the myrtle trees represent righteous
men. Rabbi Redak and his father, Mezudath David, suggested that
the horses represented Babylon (red and already subdued), Media-Persia
(black and brown), and Greece (white). As with Babylon, each would
have a period of dominance over Israel, but would then be destroyed
by the hand of the Lord on behalf of Israel.
This is a recurring theme throughout
Scripture, since the nations repeatedly come against Israel and
God goes to her defense. Remember what the Lord said to Abram
in Genesis 12:1-3: "The Lord said to Abram, Leave your country,
your people and your father's household and go to the land I will
show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless
you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will
curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you."
God had and has a central role for Israel and the Jewish people
in His redemptive plan for man. Anyone who assists in this calling
receives a blessing from God, and anyone who tries to thwart God's
plan through Israel will be cursed. While we Christians see Yeshua
(Jesus) as the fulfillment of this prophecy that brought redemption
to the world, the story is not yet over. Christians see Yeshua
coming back again, and where does He come to? He comes to Jerusalem,
in Israel, and to His people regathered from the four corners
of the earth (Isa. 11:11-12). God is still protecting His nation
Israel and the Jewish people for He made a promise and He is keeping
it.
2. The Four Horns and the Four
Craftsmen (Zechariah 1:18-21)
Meaning: God's judgment
on the nations that afflict Israel.
In this vision, Zechariah saw four
horns and four craftsmen. When asked, the angel was clear in the
interpretation of these symbols: "These are the horns that
scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalembut the craftsmen have come
to terrify them and cast out these horns of the nations who lifted
up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people"
(Zech. 1:18b, 21).
In prophecy, a horn when used symbolically
indicates invincible strength (cf. Micah 4:13) or often a Gentile
king who represents his kingdom (Dan. 7:24; Rev. 12:3). (Walvoord,
Zuck, p. 1551). These clearly represent nations, as it says so,
and many scholars compare these horns with the four great and
powerful empires that came against Israel (Babylon, Media-Persia,
Greece and Rome). Although Babylon had been subdued, the vision
was truly prophetic because the other three empires were yet to
inflict their oppression upon Israel and receive judgment for
it. Other scholars see four as the number for completeness, indicating
the totality of those from the four corners of the earth who have
come to destroy Israel at different times in history.
The Hebrew word for craftsmen used
here indicates workmen skilled in wood, stone or metal. Since
it is not mentioned which material the horns were made of that
would be dismantled, this makes sense. But who are they? Interestingly,
if the four horns are Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece and Rome,
then the craftsmen would be the succeeding power who destroyed
the former. Media-Persia destroyed Babylon, Greece destroyed Media-Persia,
Rome destroyed Greece, and in the end, God's Messianic Kingdom
will destroy Rome. In any case, the prophecy shows that God raises
up powers to destroy those who come against His land and people,
Israel. The Hebrew word for the "casting out" of these
nations who came against Israel (v. 21) means "to cast them
away" from their place, "to break" the kingdoms
of the people that bore arms against Israel, and "to exile"
them!
Jewish sources have a very interesting
interpretation of who the four craftsmen are. Rashi explains that
they are: Messiah, son of David, and Messiah, the son of Joseph
because they will rebuild the Temple; Elijah, because he was a
stoneworker, having built the altar on Mt. Carmel; and Melchizedek
(Shem, son of Noah), as he is known as a craftsman in Isaiah 41:7,
because he helped build the ark. According to the Rabbis, this
verse belongs to a future Messianic time. Today, rabbis in Israel
say we are now entering that era.
3. The Surveyor with a Measuring
Line (Zechariah 2:1-12)
Meaning: God's future
blessing on restored Israel.
In this vision, Zechariah saw a man
with a measuring line go and measure Jerusalem to find out how
long it is. An angel came up and told the angel talking to Zechariah,
"Run, tell that young man, 'Jerusalem will be a city without
walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it.
And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the Lord,
'and I will be its glory within'" (Zech. 2:4-5).
This
is an incredibly prophetic statement because Zechariah was seeing
his visions and giving his messages to the returning exiles of
Israel who were in the process of building a wall around Jerusalem.
The vision was showing that there would be a Messianic day when
Jerusalem would grow to vast proportions and not need a wall because
of God's protection. Never has this vision been fulfilled, except
in the past 100 years. There are other things that God said in
this passage that shows that the prophetic day in which this unwalled
Jerusalem would exist is what we are seeing today. Let's read
what He says:
As for the inhabitants of this future
unwalled city, who are they? God spoke and said, "'Come!
Come! Flee from the land of the north,' declares the Lord, 'for
I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,' declares the
Lord" (Zech. 2:6). It is interesting that the exiles of Israel
are being called from the north and the four winds, indicating
an even greater exile in the future, because in Zechariah's day,
the exiles were only in Babylon. This verse is a confirmation
of Isaiah 11:11-12, where he says, "In that day, the Lord
will reach out His hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that
is left of His people He will raise a banner for the nations and
gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people
of Judah from the four quarters of the earth." Notice Isaiah
is talking about a second ingathering, the first being the one
Zechariah, Haggai, Ezra and Nehemiah were experiencing. Today,
we see Jews coming from the land of the north and from the four
corners of the earth. Jews have immigrated to Israel from 102
nations in our lifetime.
Again in this vision, God speaks
of His anger at the nations who exiled and plundered Israel. I
believe this refers not only to Assyria and Babylon, but to every
nation who has aligned itself against Israel since then. Remember,
in Genesis 12:2-3, God says, "I will bless those who bless
you, and curse him who curses you, for in you will all the nations
of the world be blessed." God has a calling on Israel to
fulfill their role in the redemption of the world, not only thousands
of years ago, but today. Therefore, He is not happy with those
nations who try and thwart His plans (see Zech. 12:2-3,10). Listen
to what He says in this vision of the Jewish people and those
who come against them: "For whoever touches you touches the
apple of His eye I will surely raise My hand against them
so that their slaves will plunder them" (Zech. 2:8-9). Jewish
Sages interpret this verse to mean that just as it is easy to
injure someone by touching or poking the pupil of one's eye (a
most sensitive part of the body), so too God is injured when His
people Israel are harmed in even the slightest manner and thus
receive His divine retribution. They are warned, so they have
no excuse.
God desires to live in the midst
of His people once they return, and see other nations become part
of the redemptive plan. Listen to what the Lord says, "'Shout
and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live
among you,' declares the Lord. 'Many nations will be joined with
the Lord in that day and will become My people. I will live among
you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me to you.'"
(Zech. 2:10-11). Prophetically, when you see the terms, "O
Daughter of" and "in that day," both used extensively
in the book of Zechariah, these are markers to indicate a time
in the future. Jewish sources see these verses as being for Messianic
times since the nations did not come to help in Zechariah's day.
However, today, many have joined in the rebuilding of Zion.
4. The Cleansing and Crowning
of Joshua, the High Priest (Zechariah 3)
Meaning: Israel's future
cleansing from sin and reinstatement as a priestly nation.
The first
three visions pictured Israel's external deliverance from Captivity,
her expansion, and the material prosperity of the land (Walvoord,
Zuck, p. 1553). However, in the fourth, God is focusing on the
internal state of Israel, which is in need of cleansing from sin
and reinstatement as a priestly nation and a light to the world.This
vision is a bit different from the others in that there are no
questions about it from Zechariah, or explanations by the angel.
The characters are identifiable and used symbolically. We see
Joshua, the son of Johozadak, the high priest who returned with
Zerubbabel from Babylon, who is representing the nation of Israel;
the Angel of the Lord; Satan, the accuser; the attending angels;
and Zechariah, who becomes a vocal participant in the vision.
In this vision, Satan is accusing
Joshua (Israel), and God rebukes him, not because the accusations
are not true, but because of God's gracious love for and choice
of His people Israel. The Angel of the Lord says, "The Lord
rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke
you!" (v.2). Then God commands the angels: "Take off
his filthy clothes See, I have taken away your sin, and I will
put rich garments on you Put a clean turban on his head"
(vv. 3-5). Joshua (Israel) is seen in filthy clothes because of
her sin, but the angel commands the attending angels to take them
off of Joshua, representing God's forgiveness and acquittal. Jewish
sources (Rabbi Ibn Ezra) say that God was willing to forgive Israel
and remove the punishment, pain and shame of her iniquity. Then,
the turban is a symbol of joy and reinstatement as a priestly
nation (cf. Ex. 19:6).
Once forgiven and cleansed by the
Lord, the angel had instructions for Joshua (Israel) in order
to retain this new state of being: "If you will walk in My
ways and keep My requirements, then you will govern My house and
have charge of My courts, and I will give you a place among these
standing here" (v.7). If Israel remained in this cleansed,
priestly state, God was promising her the privilege of service
in the Temple before Him, guarding it from idolatry and other
religious defilement, and access to the very presence of God like
the angels standing around Him.
God then confirms that this vision
was symbolic of "things to come" for Israel at a future
time when Messiah would come. God says, "I am going to bring
My servant, the Branch the Stoneand I will remove the sin of the
land in a single day" (vv. 8-9). The Branch is the promise
of Messiah reinstating the throne of David (cf. Amos 9:11-12;
Acts 15:16-17). The Stone, this is Messiah's role as a judge against
Gentile nations who still defy Him. Then, there is the promise
of peace and prosperity: "In that day, each of you will invite
his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree (a biblical phrase
that indicates peace and prosperity)" (v. 10).
5. The Gold Lampstand and the
Two Olive Trees (Zechariah 4)
Meaning: Israel as the
light to the nations under Messiah, the King-Priest. 
In this vision, Zechariah saw a gold
lampstand with a bowl of oil at the top, from which seven channels
continually supplied the seven lights on the lampstand. Then,
there were two olive trees standing on each side of the lampstand
with two gold pipes that continually supplied golden oil to the
bowl.
Zechariah asked the meaning of the
lampstand with seven lights, and was told, "These seven are
the eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the earth" (v.
10b). And of the olive trees, "These are the two who are
anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth" (v. 14). The
whole vision is connected to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah,
and the rebuilding of the Temple. The angel says that he would
finish the Temple (v. 9) through the abundant supply of the Spirit
of God, and then everyone would know that God's hand was in it.
Thus, the oil for the lamp is associated with the Holy Spirit.
Jewish sources say that God would shed His light on Israel, in
contrast to their present darkness, and this would enable God's
plans to be fulfilled.
Military
might and human manpower could not accomplish this without God's
Spirit and His light. It is in this passage where we get God's
prescription on how to get things done, "Not by might, nor
by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty" (v.6).
It is suggested by scholars that the "two" branches
of the olive tree refers to Joshua and Zerubbabel, as priest and
king, which represents the role of the Messiah who is Priest and
King of Israel, supplying light to the nation.
6. The Flying Scroll (Zechariah
5:1-4)
Meaning: The severity
and totality of divine judgment on sin in Israel.
The last three visions have to do
with the administration of judgment on sin in Israel, and on the
Gentile nations who have not responded to the God of Israel.In
the sixth vision, Zechariah saw a flying scroll, 30 feet long
and 15 feet wide (9.0 x 4.5 meters). Interestingly, it is the
exact dimensions of the tabernacle, perhaps indicating that the
message on it was in harmony with God's presence in the midst
of Israel. The scroll was not rolled up, but flying open so that
both sides could be read.
The angel explained to him what it
meant: "This is the curse that is going out over the whole
land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will
be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone
who swears falsely will be banished. ... It will enter the house
of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by My Name.
It will remain in his house and destroy it" (Zech. 5:3-4).This
vision is a call to righteousness in Israel, and the scroll represents
the Word and Law of the Lord that judges the sinful. God desires
that His people and His land, the place of His past and future
habitation, be holy. It has been suggested that the fullness of
this vision can only be accomplished when the Messiah comes, for
only then can divine judgment on sin be so rapid and complete.
7. The Woman in a Basket (Zechariah
5:5-11)
Meaning: The removal of
national Israel's sin or rebellion against God.
In this vision, Zechariah saw an
ephah, which is a measuring basket for grain and other household
commodities. The basket represented "the iniquity of the
people throughout the land." (v. 6). When the lid was lifted,
inside the basket sat a woman. The angel said that the woman represented
wickedness, and he pushed the wickedness back into the basket
and shut the lid (v. 8). This is not to suggest that women are
wicked. Rather, the Hebrew word for wickedness is in the feminine
form, and the "woman" was wickedness personified. Then,
Zechariah saw two women with the wind in their wings like a stork,
and they lifted the basket up into the air between heaven and
earth.
When Zechariah asked where the basket
was being taken, he was told: "To the country of Babylonia
to build a house for it" (Zech. 5:11). Babylon is the place
of ancient and future idolatry and rebellion against God, so an
apt location for the removal of idolatry from Israel. Putting
wickedness and idolatry back in Babylon also sets the stage for
her final judgment (Rev. 17-18).
8. Four Chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8)
Meaning: Divine judgment on Gentile nations.
Then Zechariah saw four chariots
coming out from between two bronze mountains. In this instance,
the bronze mountains could symbolize the righteous, divine judgment
of God against sin (Rev. 1:15; 2:18) meted out by chariots of
war going out into the world. The first chariot had red horses,
the second black, the third white, and the fourth dappled
all of them powerful. It has been suggested that the colors represent:
red = war and bloodshed, black = death, white = triumph, and dappled
= pestilence.
The angel told him that: "These
are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the
presence of the Lord of the whole world. The one with the black
horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white
horse towards the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward
the south" (Zech. 6:5-6). They were sent throughout the world.
The four spirits of heaven may refer to angels of divine judgment
or to the power of God to accomplish His judicial purpose. The
phrase, "the Lord of the whole world," connotes a Messianic
phrase when Messiah will exact universal rule from Zion.
At the conclusion of these eight
visions, God was satisfied. He instructed Zechariah to symbolically
crown Joshua, the High Priest, with a crown made of silver and
gold (vv. 6:9-11). Joshua, wearing the crown, would symbolize
the Messiah to come, "Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty
says: 'Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch
out from his place and build the temple of the Lord." Interestingly,
the name Joshua and Yeshua are often used interchangeably in the
Bible. This is a picture of the future Third Temple built by Messiah.
The crowning has significance pointing forward to the Messiah
as King-Priest, like Melchizedek centuries earlier. The high priest
Joshua had little to do with the actual building of the second
temple, which was the work of Zerubbabel.
Therefore, the temple to be built
by Joshua in this passage is prophetic and relates to a future
Temple of Messiah, as confirmed by this description: "It
is He who will build the Temple of the Lord, and He will be clothed
with majesty and will sit and rule on His throne. And He will
be a priest on His throne. And there will be harmony between the
two" (v. 13). The last phase, of there being "harmony
between the two," refers to the office of Messiah as Priest-King.
A Levitical priest could never become a king and sit on the throne.
What Does This Mean to Us?
The rest of the book of Zechariah
contains more promises of forgiveness for Israel, blessings of
restoration of the land and people from exile, and judgment on
the nations who come against God's eternal plans and promises.Of
the people of Israel, God called them to "administer true
justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress
the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts
do not think evil of each other" (Zech. 7:9-10).
Of the land of Israel, God cries
out: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy
for her I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem I will save
My people from the countries of the east and the west. I will
bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be My people,
and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God"
(Zech. 8:2,3,8). Of the people of the nations, God says, "In
those days, ten men from all languages and nations will take firm
hold of one Jew by the edge of his robe and say, 'Let us go with
you, because we have heard that God is with you'" (Zech.
8:23).
Of the choice the nations must make:
"I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding
people reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On
that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against
her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all nations.
All who try to move it will injure themselves On that day, I will
set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem"
(Zech. 12:2-3,9).
Of the Jewish people, He says: "And
I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem
a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the
one they have pierced, and mourn for Him as one mourns for an
only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn
son On that day, a fountain will be opened to the house of David
and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and
impurity" (Zech. 12:10; 13:1).
Of the Messiah, "On that day,
His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem,
and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west,
forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north
and half moving south. Then, the survivors from all the nations
that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship
the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles"
(Zech. 14:4,16)."In that dayin that day." This book
is a most prophetic book, which says much about Israel in a future
day when the Jewish people will return from exile and restore
the land to its former glory. Messiah will come and establish
Himself in Jerusalem where He will rule and reign in justice over
the whole world from Jerusalem.
This is that day, and we can be excited
that we can be a part of prophecy, not only witnessing God's plan
unfolding, but participating in prophecy through the projects
and programs of Bridges for Peace and other Christian Zionist
organizations. As we say at Bridges for Peace, "Don't just
read about Bible prophecy when you can be a part of it."
Get involved. Pray. Give. And, participate. Psalm 102:13 says
it all: "The time to favor Zion is now!"
Shalom from Jerusalem Clarence
H Wagner, Jr.
International Director
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1) Joyce G. Baldwin.
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: an Introduction and Commentary. (Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Christian Press, 1972). 2) Eberhard Nestle
and Jurk Aland, eds., Novum Testamentum Graece. (New York: American
Bible Society, 1950). 3) The New International Study Bible, (Grand
Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation, 1985). 4) The New Scofield
Reference Bible, Authorized King James Version, (New York, NY:
Oxford University Press, 1967). 5) A. J. Rosenberg, The Book of
the Twelve Prophets Vol. Two, (New York: The Judaica Press,
Inc., 1992). 6) R. Vincent Taylor, Forgiveness and Reconciliation,
(1952). 7) Eds. C. Roth and G. Wigoder, Encyclopedia Judaica,
(Jerusalem, Israel: Keter Publishing House, Ltd., 1972). 8) John
F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Old Testament, (USA: Scripture Press Publications, 1985), 9) The
Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, (Grand Rapids,
MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976). Teaching Letters
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