Introduction to Zechariah's Second Burden

Zechariah's second burden concludes the burdens section and the prophecy as a whole. It builds upon its predecessor, but shifts the emphasis of the Lord's dealing with His people from judgment and destruction to deliverance and restoration. In this way Zechariah's prophecy ends appropriately on a note of renewal and exaltation: Consistent with all of the prophets, Zechariah's prophecy punctuates the truth that alienation and desolation were not to be the last word; the Lord was going to arise to deliver, restore and henceforth shepherd His flock - a flock composed of all the earth's peoples. This introductory message addresses the critical interpretive framework for interacting with this second burden.