August 26, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Zechariah? Here’s today’s reading:
Zechariah 12 (NIV)
Jerusalem’s Enemies to Be Destroyed
1 A prophecy: The word of the Lord concerning Israel.
The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares: 2“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem..…..Continue Reading
In the beginning of this chapter the Lord states in verse 1. [ —which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.] Take note that it says that He formeth the spirit of man within him. Chapters 12-14 are one oracle concerning God`s people Israel. The events predicted deal with one future time period except for 13;7 and center in the city Jerusalem. Thus the prophecies of these chapters rank among the most significant in the Old Testament. Two conditions are necessary for the establishment of Israel`s future Messianic kingdom; They are the overthrow of the Gentile world powers that oppose the establishment of this kingdom and the regeneration of individual Jews who will constitute the nation when God fulfills the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants. [ The Bible Knowledge Commentary] In the Battle of Armageddon when all the nations of the world come to fight against Israel God will defend them. Rev. 14;1-3; Rev. 16;16; Rev. 19;19. These nations will do so at their own risk for who can defeat God. It is interesting to note that the people will recognize Jesus as the Messiah for they will see His pierced wounds which they caused. It is totally amazing that Jesus will keep these pierced wounds forever because of us and His amazing grace and love for each one of us. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see.
That really struck my heart, Gordon, the point about Jesus bearing His wounds forever. Thanks for that insight.
Certainly the repetition of the phrase, on that day, causes us to think, just what that day is? It does appear consistent with the Second Coming of Jesus, when He will come and defend Jerusalem as the evil nations come against the Jews. Those who reject God and Jesus are so proud of their ability, strength, intelligence, wealth and power. But all will be brought to naught as the unassailable power of God is revealed. He will be enough to keep the Jews safe from the many nations that come against them. It just reenforces how wise we are to align ourselves with Him and trust His power to fight our battles, and when we lack things here on this earth, it is a reminder that in God’s earthly kingdom and later in heaven we will have the greatest thing there is…God’s presence among us!
It is also touching to see that once their Messiah is revealed and they see that they were involved in Him being pierced, they will mourn as they see the pierced One in His glory!
I think about this also, when the “debate” about whether we will be raptured or whether we will endure the tribulation arises. Either way, we must rely on God’s power whether we are observing from heaven, or on the battlefield – spiritual or material.
Zech 12:9, I am of the view that this passage applied then, applied, now and will apply in the future for any nation that attacks Jerusalem.
As I read chapter 12 with my current immersion in Revelationis, it smacks of Rev. 20, Gog and Magog. When it says they will look upon Him whom they have pierced, it reflects back to the second advent of Christ, Rev. 19. Zechariah shall be fulfilled, as Pete said, best to be on the right side of this prophesy!
What do I get out of this? How can the unsaved stranger be warned? -gy
Zechariah 12 Jerusalem will always be protected and its people will be as well and when all the nations come against Jerusalem God will be there. Also Christ will be revealed they will know he is indeed the Messiah!
Zechariah 12
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. 11 In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.”
Jerusalem will recognize their Messiah and mourn.
Reminds me of Peter’s sermon (the apostle, not Pastor Peter) in Acts 2.
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Zechariah 12
‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.’ And the same is true for us, the people who believe in Jesus Christ. Praise God!