ZECHARIAH

chapter 13

This chapter deals with Israel in the Millennial reign. While man likes to dream of a time of total peace and harmony, we get an insight here, into the fact that for those who are still in their natural bodies, the Adamic nature will still be active, and as Christ rules with a rod if iron, some will attempt to 'do their own thing'.
V 1 Zech 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
A. Such provision will be unnecessary for those in their glorified bodies, but for the 144,000 Jews in their natural bodies, such cleansing will still be needed.
Ezek 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Ezek 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

V 2. Zech 13:2 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
Throughout their history the false prophets, idols and unclean spirits have been their downfall. Their King will rid the land of all these.

V 3 Zech 13:3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
A. With the Living Word as their King, there will be no need for anyone to prophesy. There will be no need for a drawn-out trial. The mere fact that one does it, is proof that he is a false prophet, for the King will have no prophets. Instead, the land will be ruled by His Word.
B. Falsehood must be stamped out as soon as possible, lest it take root and poison others. Therefore those nearest the source must act swiftly.

Vv 4,5. Zech 13:4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
Zech 13:5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.
A. Ashamed of his vision. If one gets a vision then, it will be wrong and he had better treat it like a bad dream that shall not be told.
B. He had better just continue as a farmer.

V 6. Zech 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
A. Here is a prophecy of the reception they will give Christ at His appearing.

V 7. Zech 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
A. Here is a look back to the crucifixion. The shepherd was smitten and the sheep scattered.
Mat 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
B. Turn my hand - reach out to.
Mat 26:32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Vv 8,9. Zech 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
Zech 13:9 And I will bring the third part through 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, The LORD is my God.
A. God promises that a remnant of them will always come through every tribulation.
Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Rom 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.