"Zechariah 12:1–13:6 represents an oracle from God that outlines his comprehensive plan for the renewal of his people . . . This salvation from God is only the first step in his plan for his people. He promises to produce penitence, provide cleansing, and remove idolatry and false prophecy from the land." [1]
The events in this passage seem to follow this order:
- A siege and then a deliverance for Jerusalem and Judah (vv2–9);
- A spiritual renewal of Israel and the arrival of the Messiah (12:10–13:1); and
- The removal of wickedness and idolatry from Israel (13:2–6).
- Zechariah 12:3 (NIV) 3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
- Zechariah 12:4 (NIV) 4 On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations.
- Zechariah 12:6 (NIV) 6 “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.
- Zechariah 12:8 (NIV) 8 On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them.
- Zechariah 12:9 (NIV) 9 On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.
- Zechariah 12:11 (NIV) 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
- Zechariah 13:1 (NIV) 1 “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
- Zechariah 13:2 (NIV) 2 “On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.
- Zechariah 13:4 (NIV) 4 “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment of hair in order to deceive.
The question that we are left to consider is this: Is this about ethnic Israel being restored and saved; or is the subject about the eschatological Israel of God, ultimately saved from her enemies? Is it the Jerusalem of Palestine that is preserved; or is it the New Jerusalem - the Church? We will pursue that in this very difficult passage in the next Blog.
Thank you Father, that in spite of our human weakness and uncertainty about such things as who and when, there is no doubt in Your eternal and perfect mind. You are a God that says, "In that day;" and You know exactly what day. And there is another thing that begs no doubt: You will save Your people. This is for sure: “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:10–12, NIV). You are the eternal God “. . . who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit . . ..” (Zechariah 12:1, NIV). There is none like You. Grant grace and mercy today. Save us from the Wicked One. Work in us what is pleasing to You. And because of Your grace may we be found to work for Your Kingdom even more diligently, not that we are working, but You are working within. Amen!
Thank you Father, that in spite of our human weakness and uncertainty about such things as who and when, there is no doubt in Your eternal and perfect mind. You are a God that says, "In that day;" and You know exactly what day. And there is another thing that begs no doubt: You will save Your people. This is for sure: “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:10–12, NIV). You are the eternal God “. . . who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit . . ..” (Zechariah 12:1, NIV). There is none like You. Grant grace and mercy today. Save us from the Wicked One. Work in us what is pleasing to You. And because of Your grace may we be found to work for Your Kingdom even more diligently, not that we are working, but You are working within. Amen!
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1. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 9497-9500). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
2. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Zec 12:1–9). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
3. The spiritual conversion of Israel is described in 12:10–13:6. God’s ultimate deliverance of Jerusalem is not political favoritism. Rather it is rooted in a spiritual renewal, which itself is an act of God’s grace. Out of deep conviction and as a result of the action of God’s Holy Spirit, the Jewish people will turn in national and individual repentance to accept the One whom they had previously rejected (11:12). - 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 12:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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