Zechariah 12:1,2

THE BURDEN OF THE LORD. Zechariah 12:1-2

RV. The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him; Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it be in the siege against Jerusalem.

LXX. The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel; saith the Lord, that stretches out the sky, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem as trembling door-posts to all the nations round about, and in Judea there shall be a siege against Jerusalem.

COMMENTS

The lengthy section (Chapter s 12, 13, 14) in which the term in that day is used repeatedly, is introduced as the burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Israel as we have seen, is in the minor prophets a term designating the covenant people. The time would come (Zechariah 11:10) when the relationship would be broken off with the Jewish race, but as Zechariah wrote this had not yet occurred. What he is about to write has to do with the fulfillment of God's covenant purpose.

Jehovah is here referred to as the creator of the heavens, the earth, and the spirit of man. These are words calculated to remind the prophet's readers that the purpose which is to be fulfilled is the eternal purpose in the mind of God before creation. It is the reason man was created. It is the reason the covenant was established and a covenant people developed. It is the purpose behind all God's activity in history, both of the Jews and of the nations of the earth. This purpose is the reason God will bring to pass those things which Zechariah is about to describe.

The purpose is stated many times in many ways throughout the Bible, but never more succinctly than the Pauline statement of Ephesians 1:3-10. There the apostle informs us that, before the foundation of the earth. God chose in Christ to have a people holy and pure and adopted to Himself as children. That purpose and its accomplishment in Christ is the meaning of the entire Bible.

The days referred to by in that day in these Chapter s are two different periods. The first is addressed to Israel, the covenant people (Zechariah 12:1) and has to do with the first coming of the Messiah who will be looked upon as pierced (Zechariah 12:10).

The second period referred to by in that day is designated by Behold, a yom YHWH (day of Jehovah) cometh (Zechariah 14:1). It has to do with the final consummation and the second coming of the Messiah.

Chapter XLIQuestions

In the First Day

1.

The future glory of the restored Jewish nation was delayed by their _________________.

2.

The key to the final Chapter s of Zechariah is found in the phrase _________________.

3.

This term describes two days which from Zechariah's point of view were both in _________________.

4.

The first of these days describes _________________.

5.

The second day describes _________________.

6.

Review the four characteristics of the day of Jehovah. (See introduction of Zechariah.)

7.

Zechariah's first use of in the day (Zechariah 3:8-10) refers to _________________.

8.

What is the significance of the term Israel in Zechariah 12:1?

9.

Why does Zechariah here refer to Jehovah as the creator of the heavens and the earth and the spirit of man?

10.

The first period referred to by in that day is addressed to

and has to do with _________________.

11.

The second period referred to as in that day has to do with _________________.

12. Several things are said to be going to happen in the Messianic age. Each is introduced by in that day. They are:

a.

In that day (1)

b.

In that day (2)

c.

In that day (3)

d.

In that day (4)

12.

e. In that day (5)

f.

In that day (6)

g.

In that day (7)

h.

In that day (8)

i.

In that day (9)

13.

Israel at the time of Zechariah could be none other than _________________.

14.

What of Jerusalem in the time of Messiah's first coming?

15.

What was to be the relationship of the Jews to all nations during the Messianic age?

16.

Historically the military action against which the Jews were least effective was the _________________.

17.

What is meant by Jehovah smiting the peoples and horses with blindness?

18.

Who are they of Jerusalem? (Zechariah 12:1)

19.

How does Zechariah 12:10 fix this section as being fulfilled in the Messianic age?

20.

Compare Zechariah 12:10-14 with John 19:34-37.

21.

What is the condition upon which Jews may again become part of God's true Israel? (cf. Romans 11:17-24)

22.

Conversion is always an _________________ experience.

23.

How was the mourning over Him who they had pierced fulfilled on Pentecost?

24.

Who are all the families that remain?

25.

In connection with the mourning over Him whom they pierced a ___________ was to be opened for ____________ and _____________.

26.

The _________________ opened the fountain.

27.

_________________ relates the fountain to sin.

28.

_________________ relates the fountain to moral impurity or _________________.

29.

_________________ is frequently associated with uncleanness.

30.

The _________________ is generally credited with ministering the coup de grace to classic idolatry.

31.

What prophecy is condemned during the Messianic age?

32.

How does Zechariah 13:6 relate to Him whom they pierced?

33.

What is meant by the wounds between thine arms?

34.

Discuss Zechariah) Zechariah 12:7 in light of Acts 2:23.

35.

What nation is symbolized historically by the sword?

36.

Jesus could be legally executed by _________________.

37.

Compare Zechariah 13:7 to Matthew 26:31 and Mark 14:27.

38.

Following the death of Jesus the number of His followers was about _________________.

39.

Compare Zechariah 13:9 and 1 Peter 1:6-7.

40.

To those who endured persecution, Jehovah gives _________________ and _________________ they acknowledge

Both are _________________.

41.

The _____________ is God's new Israel.