01/21/2023 – Day 328 – Zechariah – Chapters 8 – 14 // “It teems with literal Messianic flashes 500 years prior to their actual occurrence.”
Zechariah is an excellent example of why I still desire to have a concentrated study on the prophets. As Halley’s Bible Handbook points out: “It teems with Messianic flashes, mentioning literally, many details of the life and work of Christ.”; 500 years prior to the birth of Christ as it were.
Last cycle, we have two posts covering this reading, so, I will try avoid covering that ground again, for there is so much to cover.
Chapter 1: 7 – 17. Vision of the Horses
Halley notes: “God’s messages through the prophets came by the direct moving of God’s spirit upon the prophet’s mind. But here they are given through an angel who talks back and forth with the prophet. (For note on angels see under Matthew 4:11.)
Ok, here is a handful of those fore-glimpses of Christ:
“-His Atoning Death for the Removal of Sin (3: 8-9; 13:1)
- As Builder of the House of God (6:12)
- His Universal Reign as King and Priest (6:13 ; 9:10).
- Triumphal Entry (9:9, quoted in Matthew 21:5; John 12: 15).
- Betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (11:12, quoted in Matthew 27: 9,10)
- His Deity (12:8)
- His Hands Pierced (12:10; 13:6 quoted in John 19:37).
- A Smitten Shepherd (13:7, quoted in Matthew 26:31, Mark 14:27).”
Hally’s Bible Handbook – page #383
13: Verses 7 – 9 – “The Shepherd Struck , the Sheep Scattered
Those that read will be rewarded by John Gill’s commentary on 13:7:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/zechariah-13-7.html
Rapture of the Church? How is that if 2/3 will be struck down and the remaining third will be brought into the fire; refined like silver and tested like gold?” Verse 9 clearly identifies them as “my people”.
13: 2 – 3 – A strong disincentive for aspiring false prophets:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/zechariah-13-3.html
9:13: Since we are on a roll with Gill’s commentary, I needed to understand this verse:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/zechariah-13-3.html
Soli Deo Gloria!