The time when Lord Jesus was born, rejected by his own people, died, buried and rose again was the most privileged of all generations of the Nation of Israel. Yet, they will be punished more severely, that all blood shed of righteousness from Abel to Zechariah will be required of them. There are two persons who could be identified with Zechariah, both were killed between altar and the sanctuary.
Abel: Abel was a man of faith who offered better and acceptable sacrifice than Cain, whose sacrifice was rejected. (Genesis 4: Hebrews 11:4) Abel brought the first-born lamb and offered sacrifice of blood, which prophetically pointed towards the Lamb of God, Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Cain was envious that Abel was righteous or better than him. Instead of measuring up in faith and spiritual life, eliminated Abel by ruthless first murder of humanity. Envy, anger and bitterness led to this murder.
Zechariah son of Jehoiada: Zechariah was the last in the Old Testament as recorded in Chronicles. Joash was the only surviving son of Ahaziah. Jehoiada was the priest who made Joash as the king when he was seven years old. As long as he was under the influence of Jehoiada, he was a good king. After the priest’s death, he deviated. Zechariah the son of Jehoiada spoke by the Spirit of God that God will forsake him as he had forsaken God by neglecting daily sacrifices and turning to idol worship. With full knowledge of Joash, Zachariah was assassinated in the same place where his father Jehoiada had anointed Joash as king. (II Chronicles 23:10-11; 24)
Zechariah son of Barachiah (Matthew 23: 35): In Jewish commentary on the Book of Lamentations, it is mentioned Zechariah son of Barachiah, son of Iddo, the High Priest and faithful prophet was killed in the Temple on the Day of Atonement.
Envy, anger, bitterness, violence, ungratefulness, disobedience, and rebellion of the chosen of God, resulted in rejecting words of the prophets and killing of prophets. Later they graduated to murder the Son of God.
How do I respond to God’s admonishing Words?