Zechariah 13:7-9

EPILOGUE TO THE FIRST DAY. Zechariah 13:7-9

RV. Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall-call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my People; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God.

LXX. Awake, O sword, against my shepherds, and against the man who is my citizen, saith the Lord Almighty: smite the shepherds, and draw out the sheep: and I will bring mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts thereof shall be cut off and perish; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will try them as silver is tried, and I will prove them as gold is proved: they shall call upon my name, and I will hear them, and say, This is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

COMMENTS

(Zechariah 13:7) When Peter preached the first recorded sermon following the resurrection, he pointed out that the suffering of Jesus had been by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. (Acts 2:23) Here is evidence to support that claim.

Jehovah of hosts, i.e. the God of the covenant, gives specific orders that the sword awake against the shepherd. We have seen that the good shepherd of Zechariah is indeed the Christ (see on Zechariah 11:10 -ff). That this Christ is Jesus, Who was crucified by the Romans is evidenced by the particular weapon named to symbolize those who were to smite Him. Many ancient powers were symbolized by their most characteristic weapon, e.g. Persia by the bow, Egypt by the chariot, Greece by the lance and phalanx, etc. Rome is characterized by the short sword. Because of prevailing circumstances at the time of Jesus trial, He could be legally executed only by Rome, since the Jews were denied the right of capital punishment. (There is much question concerning the legality of Jesus-' trials, but there is no doubt His execution was performed by Romans.)

Jesus Himself applied this, verse to His own death. (Matthew 26:31, Mark 14:27). At His arrest, His disciples fled or followed afar, off. During and after His crucifixion all but John were in hiding, and John apparently joined the others just following His death. The sheep were indeed scattered when the Shepherd was smitten.

Here is further evidence that in that day in this section applies to the day of the Messiah rather than to the time of the end.

(Zechariah 13:8) After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the number of his followers was greatly reduced. Apparently there were five hundred who could be counted as disciples (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:6). One hundred twenty were present when the church was born on Pentecost (cf. Acts 1:15). If one adds the three thousand baptized that day, the number totals some three thousand, six hundred. It was a small group indeed, compared to the six hundred thousand Jewish males who formed the original flock. (Exodus 12:37).

(Zechariah 13:9) The few followers of Jesus in the early days of the church soon found themselves the object of the most savage religious persecution ever, to that time, raised against a people. Peter described this persecution in words borrowed from Zechariah 13:9. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

There is no doubt the early church interpreted these verses in reference first to Jesus and then to themselves.
To those who endured persecution, Jehovah gives recognition that they are His people. They acknowledge Jehovah as their God. Both terms, people and Jehovah, are covenant terms. The church is God's new Israel!

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.