Zechariah 1-2

Both Haggai and Zechariah prophesied during the time of Ezra.

Order of events - Just to give some perspective -

Daniel was probably about 100 years old when Cyrus/ Darius invaded Babylon and conquered  Belshazzar.

Ezra 4: 24 " Then work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it was stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.... When the prophets Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo prophesied.... "

Haggai's 1st - Second year of Darius, 6th month ( Haggai 1:1)  The Lord told them to consider their ways.

Haggai's 2nd -                                      7th month ( Haggai 2:1) The Lord told them to take courage.

Zechariah's 1st                                      8th month ( Zech. 1:1) "Return to Me, declares the Lord of hosts, that I may return to you..."

Haggai's 3rd and 4th                             9th month (Haggai 2:10)  The Lord told them that from that day onward He would bless them. ( Haggai 2:20) - The Lord calls Zerubbabel, His servant - like a signet ring.

Zechariah's 2nd ( a vision)                   11th month ( Zech. 1:7 -6:15)

Zechariah's 3rd - Fourth year of Darius - 9th month (Zech. 7:1 -8:23)

Ezra 6:15 " And this temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar; it was the sixth year of the reign of king Darius."

Esther takes place in the reign of Xerxes I also called Ahasuerus. ( Darius' son and father of Artaxerxes)

It was almost 60 years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes that Ezra left from Babylon to return to Jerusalem. ( Ezra 7:1)

Nehemiah begins in the 20th year of Artaxerxes.

The book of Malachi was written during Nehemiah's times.

 I want to dig further into Zechariah, but for now, just want to focus on one verse; Zech. 2:11 " And many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you."  

Oh what a wonderful Word for us today!  The Lord Jesus has made us His own! He has come to dwell with us and is returning soon to reign forever more!

Father, we thank You for the words that encourage us to seek You and find You;  to worship You and to be Your people.  Thank You for taking away our iniquity and for clothing us in righteousness.
Thank You for the hope we have in Christ Jesus.  All glory and honor and praise to You, the Lord of hosts.  In Christ we pray. Amen.