Zechariah 13:1-9
Q.1. What promise was made to the inhabitants of Jerusalem? Through Whom will it come? What will accompany this national cleansing? – (Zech.12:10; 13:1-6 c.f. 1 Kgs.18:28)
God will bless His people, when – I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him … (Zech.12:10). Their repentance will place them under the New Covenant – In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity (Zech.13:1 c.f. Jer.31:31-37; Heb.10:11-18). This salvation will be extended through the Pierced One, Jesus Christ. The other graphic change will be their refusal to heed false prophets (Zech.13:2-6 c.f. Rev.14:4-5). The nation will shun false prophets and will distance themselves even from those who wound themselves as did the prophets of Baal (Zech.13:6 c.f. 1 Kgs.18:28).
Q.2. Who is the Shepherd, My Associate? What will happen to Him and His flock? Who will survive the scattering? How? What is their identity? – (Zech.13:7-9 c.f. Mt.26:31)
What may seem like an obscure prophecy, was taken up by the Lord Jesus at the Last Supper, after introducing the New Covenant in His blood (see Mt.26:28; Mk.14:24; Lk.22:20). This was to warn His disciples that they would disown Him – 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” (Zech.13:7 c.f. Mt.26:31-32). This One Whom God called My Shepherd and My Associate, identified Christ as equal with Himself (Zech.13:7). However, His death and resurrection would mark an intensifying of suffering for His followers and eventually His people, Israel. So great will be the persecution of the Great Tribulation that only – 8 … the third will be left in it. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested (Zech.13:8-9). The upshot will be that – … 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 my God.’ (Zech.13:9). Zechariah ministered to the returnees of Judah and Israel. This prophecy reminds us that God isn’t finished with them yet.