Zecharya - It's Time to Repent
Sefer Zecharya also commences in the second year of Darius. However, in contrast to Chagai who emphasized primarily the nationalistic aspects of the redemption process, Zecharya delivers a more 'spiritual' message. His opening prophecy implores the people to perform proper repentance; only then will God return to his people:

"Shuvu Elai - return to me, says the Lord ... and I will return back to you." (1:3)

The next six chapters continue with the various visions that Zecharya sees describing the return of God's Divine Presence to Jerusalem. [It is recommended that you scan these chapters to verify this point.]

Chagai and Zecharya strike a critical balance between two conflicting ideals in the redemption process. Economic and political growth, although essential to national revival, are only vehicles to attain the higher goal of creating a nation devoted to God. Zecharya must balance the nationalistic aspirations of Chagai by emphasizing the need for repentance, necessary in order to be worthy of the Shechina in their midst.

[In modern day terms, one could say that Chagai would have been wearing a "kippah serugah," while Zecharya would have been wearing a "kippah shechorah."]

This balance is underscored in one of Zecharya's most well known prophecies, [not coincidentally] the Haftara reading for Shabbat Chanuka (2:14 - 4:7). Note how this Haftara begins:

"'Shout for joy, fair Zion! For lo, I come; and I will dwell in your midst,' declares the Lord ... The Lord will take Judah to Himself as his portion ... and he will choose Jerusalem once more." (2:14-16)

Zecharya begins by telling the people to rejoice, as the Shechina is returning. These words of hope are followed by a charge to Yehoshua, the High Priest, to remind him that he must follow God's commandments and work in harmony with Zerubavel. The prophecy climaxes with the vision of the menorah surrounded by two olive branches. The meaning of this image is explained as a charge to Zerubavel:

"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubavel: Not by might ('chayil'), nor by power ('koach'), but with my spirit ('ruchi') says the Lord." (4:6)

This emphasis of "ruach" over "chayil & koach" emerges as God's primary message to Zerubavel for he is the political leader to whom the sovereignty is destined to return! He, specifically, must be reminded of the need to strike this proper balance.

Despite the optimism of Zecharya's prophecies, their fulfillment was conditional. In his concluding prophecy in the second year of Daryavesh, Zecharya states this condition clearly:

"Men from far away shall come and take part in the building of the Temple of the Lord, and you shall know that I have been sent to you by the Lord, if only you will obey the Lord your God!" (6:15)