August 23, 2023 - Zechariah 12-14

The headings for these chapters, supplied by the publisher: Judah's Security, Mourning for the Pierced One, God's People Cleansed, The Lord's Triumph and Reign. Zechariah has harsh words for those who sin, whether in Judah and Jerusalem or among the nations. But sin and rebellion will not have the last word. God’s people will be restored. Jerusalem will prosper: “A day of the Lord is coming . . . On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea, in summer and winter alike. On that day Yahweh will become King over all the earth—Yahweh alone, and His name alone” (14:1,8-9).

All this will occur, ultimately, because of the One whom Zechariah described as “him whom they have pierced” (12:10) and of whom John wrote: “One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. . . . And again another Scripture says, ‘They will look on him whom they have pierced’” (John 19:34-37). It’s amazing, isn’t it, how all of Scripture revolves around its central figure, Messiah! From the opening pages in Genesis in which a promised Redeemer is spoken of through the various covenants, in the Psalms and wisdom books, by way of the prophecies, in the Gospels, and ending with the Lamb of the book of Revelation, the story advances and, then, allows us to look back and be encouraged by the way all the promises have been fulfilled. The prophecies of Zechariah are part of that unbroken narrative, and with what joy and gratefulness we read them and think of our Messiah!

What language shall I borrow

to thank Thee, dearest Friend,

for this, Thy dying sorrow,

Thy pity without end?

O make me Thine forever!

And should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never

outlive my love for Thee. -- Arnulf, Abbot of Villers-la-Ville (13th century)