To identify clearly what time Zechariah has in mind in this prophecy is always been difficult. "Compared to the immediately preceding verses, the oracle now moves back to the time when Israel would be scattered because of her rejection of the true messianic Shepherd. Then, after the announcement of the dispersion, the oracle seems to advance to a future period when Israel will undergo a special, purifying discipline, as silver and gold are refined (vv.8-9). The surviving remnant will be the Lord's people (v.9). [1]
The sword of the Lord’s judgment goes out against a shepherd. "In light of the close relationship between Zechariah 13: 7– 9 and 11: 4– 16 where, because of clear reliance on Ezekiel 34 and 37, evil shepherds were identified as non-Davidic leadership in Yehud, the shepherd may be a reference to a leadership figure within this group . . . Most likely this refers to political leadership, namely, Jews who ruled Yehud under Persian authority and who may have assumed aspects of Persian religion that compromised Yahwistic faith." [2] "His death will result in the scattering of the flock and a time of great trial and testing for God’s people, during which many will perish (13:8). Yet the result of that period of testing is the refining of the Lord’s people, culminating in the expression by the Lord and his people of their mutual commitment to one another (v. 9)." [3]
So what makes this interesting is that we have the Lord striking a shepherd; scattering the sheep; destroying many; yet saving a few in covenant relationship. This is clearly referring to wicked leaders in Judah. Yet when the New Testament writers quote this poem they refer it to Jesus as being the Shepherd that was stroke. “Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” (Matthew 26:31, NIV). How can this be? Mark Broda's comment is profound:
"Here Christ assumes the role of the covenant leader of this community, leading as a good shepherd before taking on himself their sins and redeeming the community and its leadership. The surprising twist in the New Testament rereading of Zechariah 9– 14 is that the good shepherd of 11: 4– 16, rejected by his people in favor of a bad shepherd , takes the punishment of the bad shepherd in order to achieve the transformation expected throughout chapters 9– 14, that is, the creation of a restored, united, and victorious Israel as the center of God’s rule over the cosmos." [4]
Two-thirds of the "flock" will be destroyed. But one third will be saved. “This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”” (Zechariah 13:9, NIV). "The “third” part is surely the remnant (Is. 11:11, note; Rom. 11:5) that God preserved because of His covenant promise (Rom. 11:27–29)." [5]
The salvation of the remnant is directly linked to the undeserved punishment afflicted upon the Good Shepherd. Their scattering will refine them and bring them back into covenant relationship with God. “This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”” (Zechariah 13:9, NIV). This little remnant that was re-gathered after the crucifixion of Christ became His small but ever-increasing covenant community that moved to the uttermost parts of the earth.
The image of this poem is stunning, Father. You strike the unfaithful shepherds in Judah for their wanton disregard for Your Law. Yet many years later You strike the Faithful Shepherd, not for His disobedience, (for He is sinless) but for the disobedience of these shepherds -- indeed for all our disobedience. What grace is this? What love is this? Those that call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. You have saved a remnant for Yourself then and now. Praise God. May many more come into the Kingdom and turn from darkness to light. Amen.
2. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 10131-10133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
3. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (1768). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.4. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 10169-10173). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
5. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zec 13:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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