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Gospel According to the Old Testament
Longing for God in an Age of Discouragement: The Gospel According to Zechariah
Zechariah addresses God’s people as discouraged and in need of renewal—a situation familiar to many today. Here is a captivating vision of God and his work in the world, so we may long for him.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 12, 2021
As with the other volumes in The Gospel According to the Old Testament series, this is an invaluable aid in demystifying the text of (in this case) Zechariah, and also showing us how it points us toward Christ. As Gregory himself indicates, his intent was to explain the text in its original historical context, reflect on how it points to the person and work of Christ, and suggest how it should shape the life of the church in the world. It would not surprise me if the chapters were originally given as sermons, because a pastoral heart shines through his writing.
The first chapter outlines the historical setting in which Zechariah lived and prophesied, and suggests guidelines for how to read and understand the book. The second chapter covers the call of Zechariah, and focuses on the need for repentance on the part of his original audience (and subsequent readers as well).
Gregory then takes us through the book in order, starting with the seven night visions in turn. Next he covers the interplay between crowns, priest, branch, and temple. Finally he takes us through the apocalyptic visions at the end of the book. Throughout, he patiently and understandably explains the text, sets forth the historical circumstances at the time, shows how Zechariah referred to or built upon previous prophetic writings, and shows us how Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecies.
As with the other books in this series, this is intended not primarily for the academy but for the pew; it is designed to be accessible to the layperson, and to engage not only the mind but also the heart and will of the reader. Having said that, Gregory has certainly done his research; he lists eleven pages of bibliography and twenty-two pages of end-notes.
I echo the words with which he closed the book: "Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, come! And even so, come quickly!"
The first chapter outlines the historical setting in which Zechariah lived and prophesied, and suggests guidelines for how to read and understand the book. The second chapter covers the call of Zechariah, and focuses on the need for repentance on the part of his original audience (and subsequent readers as well).
Gregory then takes us through the book in order, starting with the seven night visions in turn. Next he covers the interplay between crowns, priest, branch, and temple. Finally he takes us through the apocalyptic visions at the end of the book. Throughout, he patiently and understandably explains the text, sets forth the historical circumstances at the time, shows how Zechariah referred to or built upon previous prophetic writings, and shows us how Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecies.
As with the other books in this series, this is intended not primarily for the academy but for the pew; it is designed to be accessible to the layperson, and to engage not only the mind but also the heart and will of the reader. Having said that, Gregory has certainly done his research; he lists eleven pages of bibliography and twenty-two pages of end-notes.
I echo the words with which he closed the book: "Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, come! And even so, come quickly!"
February 25, 2015
Zechariah is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and this semi-commentary/biblical theology of Zechariah is very well written. Connecting Old Testament texts to the Gospel is essential for Christ-centered readings of Scripture, and this book executes this in helpful ways. There are some points of contention I have with the exegesis, but this is not too much of a criticism as no reader will ever agree with every good commentary. Overall very much worth the time for any reader of Zechariah.
January 24, 2021
I've read about half the commentaries in this series. Some I love (like the Nahum one), but this one is just okay. I'd give it 3.5 stars. I bumped it up to 4 because the series is good.
Parts of this book are great. I appreciated the historical context that the author gives the reader. However, as I read this along with other older commentaries I found something off-putting about this one. It is hard to explain. I didn't find he went as deep in what the test actually said and spent more time talking about how it applied to modern times. There were huge sections, especially in the night visions, that he glossed over. It made them confusing instead of clear.
Overall I learned things from the book, but I found other books more helpful and deeper.
Parts of this book are great. I appreciated the historical context that the author gives the reader. However, as I read this along with other older commentaries I found something off-putting about this one. It is hard to explain. I didn't find he went as deep in what the test actually said and spent more time talking about how it applied to modern times. There were huge sections, especially in the night visions, that he glossed over. It made them confusing instead of clear.
Overall I learned things from the book, but I found other books more helpful and deeper.
April 26, 2020
Started this book back in early 2018 as part of a men’s Bible study. I had previously read two other books in this series-Abraham and Daniel-and really enjoyed them. For some (divine?) reason the book did not ‘klick’ so I set it aside.
We’ve been working through the Chronological Bible and when we got to Zachariah I remember this book. It was a wonderful side journey of discovery before meeting back up with Ezra and Nehemiah. I highly recommend both this book and this series of finding the Gospel in the Old Testament.
We’ve been working through the Chronological Bible and when we got to Zachariah I remember this book. It was a wonderful side journey of discovery before meeting back up with Ezra and Nehemiah. I highly recommend both this book and this series of finding the Gospel in the Old Testament.
April 10, 2021
From the introduction of the book, I expected that I couldn't finish it. Without any proper knowledge and background, I guess I cannot understand Zecharia's vision without actually reading the book. This is a very well made commentary with more advanced vocabulary and I'm just intermediate in English that's why I find it difficult to comprehend as well. I love the way the author explains it in detail. I just hope that when I can understand it, I would enjoy the book and finally get the message of God.
November 7, 2020
I first read this in 2011 after picking it up at a book table at a conference. I thought, "I don't know anything about Zechariah. I'd like to learn."
Zechariah became one of my favorite books of the Bible, and this one of my favorite commentaries.
Zechariah speaks so powerfully to where we are today, giving us a much-needed word.
Zechariah became one of my favorite books of the Bible, and this one of my favorite commentaries.
Zechariah speaks so powerfully to where we are today, giving us a much-needed word.
December 21, 2025
Excellent theological commentary on Zechariah. The author's treatment of Mark's use of Zechariah 14 to provide the pattern for Christ's actions of Holy Week is particularly insightful.
Deep grasp of biblical theological themes and Zechariah's use of former prophets to shape his ministry in the particular time he was placed.
One of the top installments in The Gospel According To... series.
Deep grasp of biblical theological themes and Zechariah's use of former prophets to shape his ministry in the particular time he was placed.
One of the top installments in The Gospel According To... series.
April 26, 2020
I love the format of this book on Zechariah! First it gives you the scripture. Then the historical, literary, and contemporary context. Very good treatise on the Gospel message that runs clearly through the book of Zechariah.
January 10, 2022
I started the book in 2011. I finished it 11 years later. I enjoyed the writing style and the breakdown of how this Old Testament points to Jesus. Probably would give 4 stars but since the journey of finishing it took so long, I'll ad that extra 5th star.
March 29, 2018
An excellent treatment of Zechariah. Solid exegesis. Christ-centered focus. Practical. A great help to read along side of standard commentaries.
I've only read two books from "The Gospel According to..." series, but I have not been disappointed.
"At the cross, we are shown our God-killing hearts and at the same time God’s humanity-loving heart. We see our desire to flee from God, and we see God’s desire to pursue us. We see our desire to pick up the piercing spear against God, and we see God’s desire to pick up the piercing nails for us. The only proper response is mourning and thankful joy. We mourn because of what we have done, and what we continue to do. We mourn because we keep running away. We mourn because we keep trying to remove God from our lives. And yet, we must also rejoice with thanksgiving. We rejoice because we have a God who shows mercy to deicidal people. We rejoice because we are pursued by a God who loves a flock in flight. We rejoice because we have a God who reveals his indescribable glory and his inexhaustible grace even through the piercing of his one and only Son." 201.
I've only read two books from "The Gospel According to..." series, but I have not been disappointed.
"At the cross, we are shown our God-killing hearts and at the same time God’s humanity-loving heart. We see our desire to flee from God, and we see God’s desire to pursue us. We see our desire to pick up the piercing spear against God, and we see God’s desire to pick up the piercing nails for us. The only proper response is mourning and thankful joy. We mourn because of what we have done, and what we continue to do. We mourn because we keep running away. We mourn because we keep trying to remove God from our lives. And yet, we must also rejoice with thanksgiving. We rejoice because we have a God who shows mercy to deicidal people. We rejoice because we are pursued by a God who loves a flock in flight. We rejoice because we have a God who reveals his indescribable glory and his inexhaustible grace even through the piercing of his one and only Son." 201.
October 27, 2013
Simply WOW! This may have been the best book I have read this year. A high-level walk through Zechariah, while demonstrating all along the way that Jesus meant what He said in Luke 24, that the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms all point us to Him. I will never read Zechariah the same way, and I am even more in awe of Jesus. This is a must read!
June 16, 2011
Zechariah is hard and confusing, but this book does a great job making sense of it relating it both to Zechariah's time and ours.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews