The book of Zechariah was written with a specific purpose—to encourage the people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Along with Haggai, Zechariah wanted to see God worshipped in His own Temple. Several decades earlier, the Temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnez­zar. And Zechariah wanted to see it rebuilt.

The message of Zechariah falls into two sections. The first is a collection of visions designed to encourage the people to work on the Temple. The visions contain some fascinating pictures—all taken from everyday life. There were horses, horns, a measuring line, a lampstand, a scroll, a basket, and other common items in Zechariah's visions.

The last part of Zechariah looks to the future—to the reign of the coming Messiah.