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LAYING THE FOUNDATION
The Messages of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi
Contents
Part Three - Pronouncements and Prophecies
Two years after the series of visions just described a deputation was sent from Bethal to see if the people should continue to keep a fast that had been kept for the last seventy years as memorial of the day the old temple had been destroyed, “When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” (Zechariah 7:2-3).
They had fasted in the fifth month each year, “And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man’s house burnt he with fire. And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about. Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away. But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.” (II Kings 25:8-12).
Through Zechariah God told them that they had been keeping memorials of events that they had brought upon themselves and that they had no religious significance to God, “Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?” (Zechariah 7:4-7).
The fast in the seventh month mentioned above was a memorial to the time shortly after, when the Governor of Judah was murdered. Gedaliah the governor, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar had advised those that remained in Judah to serve the Babylonians so that all would be well with them. He was consequently murdered and against his advice they went to Egypt where the majority of them perished, “And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.” and “And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you. But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah. And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees.” (II Kings 25:22, 24-26). A more detailed account can be found in also Jeremiah 41 through to 47.
God made it abundantly clear that these disasters happened to them because they refused to obey, “Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.” (Zechariah 7:9-14).
Instead of endorsing their traditions, which He pointed out were held for the wrong reasons, God focused them on future events.
Through a series of promises God signified that they should be looking ahead to the future reign of the Messiah. He started by declaring His enthusiasm for Jerusalem, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.” (Zechariah 8:2).
Having revealed what the temple foreshadowed through Zechariah’s visions God then revealed what the city foreshadowed. It foreshadowed a time in the future when His presence will once again be in Jerusalem. The city will represent truth and be the centre of God's government, “Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.” (Zechariah 8:3, also Isaiah 1:26, 62:2 and Ezekiel 48:35).
According to Isaiah Jerusalem is to be the seat of Christ’s world government when he returns, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2-3)
Its citizens will dwell in safety and peace, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.” (Zechariah 8:4-5).
Although these things may have seemed impossible to those of the remnant He was addressing at that time, He reassured them that it possible for Him to accomplish, “ Thus said the LORD of Hosts; Though it will seem impossible to the remnant of this people in those days, shall it also be impossible to me? declares the LORD of Hosts.” (Zechariah 8:6-7 Jewish Study Bible, JPS Tanakh Translation ).
They shall be God’s people, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” (Zechariah 8:7-8). The expression ‘my people’ is referring to those people from all nations (from the east and the west) who through salvation become part of that new Jerusalem living as spirit beings with God in truth and righteousness.
It is confirmed that the work restoring the city and temple in Zechariah's day foreshadowed this incredible future time, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.” (Zechariah 8:9).
It foreshadowed the temple that Christ will build. He is the chief cornerstone of the spiritual temple, the prophets and apostles are the foundation and those called to salvation in this age are the pillars, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Revelation 3:12).
Zechariah 8:10-12 implies that prior to this idyllic future God’s people will be under affliction from their adversaries. But that will change through God’s intervention. Those who turn to God and receive His Holy Spirit become His people and receive their inheritance which is eternal life in God’s Kingdom portrayed as a time of prosperity and abundance.
Whereas God’s people in ancient times became a curse, His people in the future will be a blessing. It is through the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 that all the families of the earth will be blessed, “And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.” (Zechariah 8:13).
Although God had justifiably executed judgment on the Jews for their sins He had not rejected His plans for Jerusalem. On one hand God had punished ancient Israel for their sins, but He will bless spiritual Israel in the future because they will keep his law (Verses 14-17). Eventually even the ancient Israelites will be resurrected to repent and become part of the spiritual Israel. It should also be noted that the promise of blessing was always there as long as they repented and obeyed with all their hearts. The whole tenor to the theme of this chapter portrays the future when they will have the Holy Spirit and are capable of repenting of their sins and turning to God in complete obedience. Then their fasts will have meaning (Verse 19).
During the Great White Throne Judgment period when all the dead have been resurrected they will know the truth and seek to be part of spiritual Israel which is salvation, “It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zechariah 8:20-23).
The last six chapters of the Book of Zechariah are believed to be the work of another author. The late Ernest Martin (www.askelm.com) believed they were the work of Jeremiah. Regardless of authorship, when the six chapters are read in conjunction with the earlier chapters of Zechariah they appear to be appropriately placed as does the Book of Malachi which follows. Malachi has nothing to identify the time it was written, but given its position between the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple and the birth of Christ it provides a message appropriate to the times.
Chapter nine describes the events leading up to the time at the end of this age when all eyes will turn to God and Christ will return as King and Saviour. Those who turn to God will be protected from the armies and oppressors that gather to oppose Christ, “And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:8-10). Their armies will be destroyed (cut off) and the heathen will learn peace.
He who first came on the colt of an ass will return to release the world from spiritual captivity and to rule in peace after he has made war with and defeated the adversaries, “And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.” (Zechariah 9:14-16).
To God His people are precious. Malachi spoke in similar terms, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (Malachi 3:16-17).
It is interesting to note that when the Jewish Study Bible (Tanakh JPS Translation) talks about the time when no oppressor will ever again overrun God’s people (Zechariah 9:8) it is implied that their adversaries will be absorbed into Judah, “But I will cleanout the blood from its mouth, And the detestable things from between its teeth. It survivors, too, shall be long to our God: They shall become like a clan in Judah, And Ekron shall be like Jubasites.” (Zechariah 9:7). It is not talking about being absorbed into the physical nation of Judah, but into the spiritual body of God’s people in the end-time who are represented by the name 'Judah' in prophetic literature.
It is a time when those who turn to God will be set free from spiritual captivity, “As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.” (Zechariah 9:11).
The blood of the covenant symbolized Christ’s own blood by which the world will be set free, “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:11-14).
In ancient times names like 'House of Judah', 'House of Joseph' and 'Ephraim' referred to the nation that represented God's Kingdom in physical form (Zechariah 9:10, 10:6, 7). However, when those same names are used in prophecies concerning the latter days they refer to the spiritual body of God’s people who will be incorporated into God’s Kingdom. Similarly names like Assyria, Egypt (Zechariah 10:11) represent their adversaries who will be defeated and through the process of conversion during the Millennium and Great White Throne Judgment period will eventually be absorbed into God’s Kingdom.
Because of God’s protection His people will not need weapons of war ever again, “And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:10)
They will be protected during the Day of The Lord, “the Lord of hosts shall defend them,” (Zechariah 9:15) and during the last desperate attempt by Satan and his demons after the Millennium when they try to unseat the saints, “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” (Revelation 20:7-9).
When Zechariah predicted that Christ would enter Jerusalem on the colt of an ass he signaled a very significant event that would occur around four hundred years later, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9).
Which is exactly what Matthew described some four hundred years later, “And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:6-9).
He cleared the temple of merchants, whom he called thieves, and healed the blind much to the displeasure of the religious authorities of that day (Matthew 21:12-15). When they questioned his authority he addressed them through parables which revealed the lengths they would go to protect their positions of power (verses 13, 23 and 28-32).
He revealed to those in authority that he was the chief cornerstone that according to the prophets would be rejected them. Because of this their inheritance was to be taken from them. They were to be crushed and their inheritance was to be given to others “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21:42-44).
The reaction of the Israel's leaders was hostile. They plotted against him, “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.” (Matthew 21:45-46). When they deliberately tried to trip Christ up with difficult questions, he not only astonished them with his answers but exposed them for their hypocrisy in a blistering attack on their attitude and motives recorded in Matthew 23:13-39. In verse 35 when Christ said that the things predicted by prophets like Zechariah would come upon that generation he was referring to the end of the Old Covenant and the special relationship they had with God which included His protection from their adversaries.
They will not regain that special relationship and enter God’s Kingdom until they accept Christ and repent of what they have done, “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matthew 23:33-39).
Many commentators deny that Christ was referring to Zechariah son of Barachias (Zechariah 1:1) simply because there is no tradition of his death. Instead they claim Christ referred to Zechariah the son of Jehoiada (II Chronicles 24:20-22) claiming that because his death is mentioned in II Chronicles, which is the last book in the Hebrew canon, it more appropriately fits the statement Christ made, “from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias.” They say that it seems the two Zechariahs were ‘likely confused at some stage’, or as Barclay puts it ‘no doubt a slip of the gospel writer in retelling the story’.
Was Christ confused? No! He knew exactly who he was talking about because Zechariah’s prophecies inspired by God four hundred years earlier predicted that Christ would ride into the city on the colt of an ass, heal the blind and lame, cleansed the temple, expose the false shepherds and announce the end of the covenant. The covenant was to cease when he (Christ) was rejected and murdered by these same false shepherds. As we continue through the Book of Zechariah we will see these prophesies revealed. When he rode into Jerusalem on the colt of an ass Christ was in a sense enacting his second coming when he will come on a white horse as King of Kings (Revelation 19:11-16).
The prophet says that it is God who provides blessings for His people not the diviners and idols that they have worshipped. The false shepherds who have led them astray will be brought to account, “Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.” (Zechariah 10:1-3).
Despite the false prophets and foolish shepherds God will raise men to be spiritual ‘corners stones’, captains, warriors and mighty men of faith whom He will support, “Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together. And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.” (Zechariah 10:4-5).
According to the Apostle Paul these people of faith are the true children of Abraham, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7-9). Regardless of whether they are Jew or Gentile they become spiritual Israelites through faith when they receive God’s Spirit
These are God’s people in this age that are often referred to in prophecy with terms like ‘House of Joseph’, ‘hhuse of Judah’ and ‘Ephraim’. They will be saved and rejoice when God calls them and they are redeemed. Through resurrection they enter God’s Kingdom which will continue to increase. All nations will become part of the Kingdom of God that ancient Israel represented in physical form, “And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them. And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.” (Zechariah 10:6-8).
God’s people will be redeemed from the sins of this world and brought into their own land, meaning they will receive their true inheritance, which is eternal life in God’s Kingdom, “ I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.” (Zechariah 10:10). As the Jewish study Bible (Tanakh translation) says ‘and even they shall not suffice for them’ indicating that this future spiritual nation will not be bound by physical boundaries.
That true inheritance is not an area of land or material wealth, but eternal life in God’s Kingdom as His very children, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8). And, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27).
There will be no sin in God’s Kingdom. Those who continue to oppose God and His people - the adversaries - will not survive to enter into His Kingdom, “and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.” (Zechariah 10:11).
This is the salvation and victory that Zechariah was talking about in symbolic terms, “And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.” (Zechariah 10:5-6).
In prophetic literature these spiritual outcomes are often expressed in physical terms with reference to nations that existed at that time because the people at that time did not have God’s Holy Spirit and could not fully understand what He had in store for them, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (I Corinthians 2:9-10). Without that Spirit their understanding was limited. What they were participating in at that time represented future spiritual events that had to be described in physical terms to give them hope in terms that they were familiar with.
Most commentaries offer unsatisfactory explanations for events prophesied in Chapter Eleven, but when considered in the context of the Book, conditions of the time and events that followed, its meaning becomes abundantly clear.
God makes it clear that those in authority will not be exempt from His judgment. Neither position, symbolized by the mighty cedars of Lebanon, nor power, represented by the lions of Jordan, will save them from God’s judgment, symbolized by fire, “Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down. There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.” (Zechariah 11:1-3).
Those in authority portrayed as false shepherds who have exploited God’s people for their own ends will be brought to account, “Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter. Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour’s hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.” (Zechariah 11:4-6).
Christ didn’t hold back when he addressed the rulers of Jerusalem some four hundred years later (Matthew 23). He will hold all to account when he returns, “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:7).
The flock, or nation at that time, was doomed to self-inflicted destruction because of the corrupt rulers who had no concern for those whom they ruled and the flock had become so enmeshed in idolatry, as explained in the previous chapter of Zechariah, “For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.” (Zechariah 10:2). Their spiritual condition became so bad that they did not recognize the Messiah when he was sent.
For this reason God said He would remove their protection “For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour’s hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.” (Zechariah 11:6)
Many commentators have attempted unconvincingly to put names to the three shepherds who shall fall in the period of one month, “Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.” (Zechariah 11:8). However, because the meaning of the original text was not clear the Jewish Study Bible (JPS translation of the Tanakh) offers a conjectural emendation that suggests the meaning is “a third of the flock” in which case it could be referring to the destruction of a third of the people. If the slaughter of the flock mentioned in verses 4 and 7 referred to the slaughter of the people of Judea in 70 AD, which it most likely did, then it is interesting to note that according to Josephus approximately one third of the people present in Jerusalem at the time of its destruction were slaughtered.
Many had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread and were trapped in the city when the Romans surrounded it. Josephus based his figures on the fact that 256,500 lambs had been sacrificed at the Passover and according to tradition there were no less than ten people for each sacrifice. This puts the population of Jerusalem at that time at around 2,720,000. He claims that approximately 1,100,000 people of all ages were slaughtered (Wars of the Jews, Book 5), roughly one third. One third is also consistent with the number Ezekiel predicted would perish in the Babylonian captivity (Ezekiel 4:1-5:17).
The second part of Zechariah 11:8 God said, “my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.” For rejecting His son which demonstrated their abhorrence of God, He said He would withdraw His protection of them, “Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.” (Zechariah 11:9).
The covenant was broken by Israel the first time they turned away from God. After centuries of merciful patience God was going to bring it to an end and remove His protection from them, “And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD.” (Zechariah 11:10-11). Building the temple foreshadowed future events through enactment by the physical remnant of the once great kingdom of Israel. In its destruction it would bring the final curtain down on the Old Covenant. But at the same time the small spiritually pure remnant of those who waited on Christ had been dispersed to spread the gospel of Christ and to participate in the building of a new everlasting temple.
The final straw that would cause God to end the special relationship He had with Israel/Judah was when they rejected and murdered His own son as foretold by Zechariah, “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.” (Zechariah 11:12-14). Christ also foretold the same outcome as we read earlier, “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matthew 21:43).
It was predicted that foolish shepherds would eventually bring about the nation’s demise, “And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.” (Zechariah 11:15-17).
In seeking power and position for themselves foolish shepherds, described by Josephus as tyrants, provoked the Romans to destroy the city and temple and slaughter a third of its population. They laid siege to the city by surrounding it with their army.
Having described the impending demise of Jerusalem, God said that it is going to be a trouble spot - a cup of trembling to all who come against it, especially in the latter days, “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 12:2).
However, projecting ahead to the latter days, He then describes another siege that will end differently, “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” (Zechariah 12:3).
At this stage Jerusalem is more than a city surrounded by armies, it is has become the seat of Christ’s new world government from where he will execute God’s judgment against the adversaries and pour out grace on those who turn to him and repent to become spiritual Israelites, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem, And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:9-10).
Isaiah confirms that Jerusalem will become the seat of Christ’s government, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2-3).
There will be a spiritual cleansing throughout the world and the deception of false religion shall be exposed, “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.”. Idolatry will be a thing of the past, “ 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.” And teachers shall not deceive, “neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:” (Zechariah 13:1, 2 and 4).
Satan who has deceived the world will be imprisoned, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9). And, “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:1-3).
He is loosed for a little while and after one final battle will be defeated (Revelation 20:7-10). His demons or ‘unclean spirits’ will be banished. The reference to ‘wounds in your hands’ in Zechariah 13:6 is more correctly stated in the Jewish Study Bible (JPS Tanakh Translation) as ‘sores on your back’ in the, referring to self-inflicted wounds of the false prophets. As when the prophets of Baal slashed themselves when challenged by Elijah (I Kings 18:28).
The preceding chapters are then summarized in a brief poem foretelling the death of Christ and the scattering of his followers, an event also described in Isaiah 53, “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. 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. 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.” (Zechariah 13:7-9).
Christ later verified that he was the shepherd to be smitten, “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.” (Matthew 26:31, also Mark 14:27).
According to Barclay the phrase, “I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” refers to the care and protection God will provide for them. It could also be a reference to the Holy Spirit that Christ promised his followers, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”. And, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:15-18 and 26-27).
The next major series of events, once Christ has laid the foundation for the spiritual temple with his life, will be those leading up to and including the Day of the Lord some two thousand years later. These events and outcome are summarized as follows: “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. 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.” (Zechariah 13:8-9).
The words, “In all the land” implies the whole world at that time. And two thirds coincides with some of the end-time statistics given in Revelation, “And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8). And, “By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.” (Revelation 9:18). These are before the seven thunders and the final plagues that could well bring the total death toll up to two thirds of the world’s population. The remaining third are those who turn to God and become spiritually purified through the conversion process.
The final chapter of the Book of Zechariah deals with the Day of the Lord, “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh” (Zechariah 14:1), when the adversaries will be gathered against Christ and Jerusalem will be under siege, “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” (Zechariah 14:2).
Jesus Christ and his saints will confront the adversaries, “Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.”. And, “and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” (Zechariah 14:3 and 5).
The Day of the Lord is the period of time in which Christ will be become king over the earth and God’s wrath will be poured out on the adversaries, “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” (Zechariah 14:9).
Jerusalem is to be the centre of Christ's government and those who fight against Jerusalem will be defeated, “And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.” (Zechariah 14:12-13).
Notice that Zezchariah implied that the Jews will be among those who oppose Christ's governance, ”And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.” (Zechariah 14:14-15).
Both the RSV and Moffatt indicate that Judah will fight against Jerusalem. While some are of the opinion that the Jews will be fighting against that part of Jerusalem that is occupied by the adversaries (see verse two), others consider that they will be fighting against Christ whom they do not to this day recognize as the Messiah. The latter view is the most likely because “Jerusalem’ has been used in prophecy to represent the seat of Christ’s world government of the future and there is no indication in this chapter, or elsewhere among the prophecies, that the Jews will align themselves with Christ who has come to take over the city.
The remnant from the Day of the Lord, indicated by Zechariah 13:9 to be only one third of the world’s population, will be subject to God’s laws, “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” (Zechariah 14:16-17).
Those remaining will through the spiritual purification which was also mentioned in Zechariah 13:9, become God’s people, therefore also part of His spiritual temple, “Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 14:21).
No more Canaanites in God’s House, implies that the gentiles will become spiritual Israelites through conversion, just as those called today become true Israelites when they receive God’s Spirit after baptism.
One aspect about building the new temple that may seem puzzling is the significance of the time between laying the foundation and constructing the temple on that foundation. Work was not commenced again until fourteen or fifteen years later when Haggai encouraged them to complete the work. What is the significance, if any, of that gap?
Did it foreshadow the fact that there would be a gap between the time when Christ laid down his life for the foundation of the spiritual temple and the assembling of that temple that would take place at the end of the age?
While it appeared that progress on the earthly temple was hindered, Zechariah’s vision of the lampstand indicated that nothing would stand in the way of the power through which that temple was completed. Similarly the lampstand that John saw in Revelation indicates that nothing will stand in the way of the power through which the spiritual temple will be completed.
Nevertheless there is a gap between laying the foundation and the construction that Jesus Christ said the adversaries would try to use to their advantage. Since Christ laid the foundation of the spiritual temple adversaries of spiritual Israel have sought legal means and made accusations to hinder progress. He warned his followers to expect false prophets and teachers who would try and lead them astray, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”. And, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5, see also v11).
The Roman Emperor Nero made false accusations against Christians in Rome that resulted in horrific persecution. The Romans also made law changes to subvert the Sabbath and Holy Days, not to mention the inquisition of the middle ages.
Also the Book of Revelation indicates that there will be future attempts by adversaries to intimidate God’s people. But despite the tactics of these enemies the spiritual temple will be completed according to God’s will and within His timeframe.
END Continue to Part Four - Malachi's Message
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Last modified: 11/22/08
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