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Zechariah 13:4 The one whom they pierced - Day 360

 Good evening friends,

We continue to look at this difficult section of Zechariah.  I am generally a proponent of inductive study (going from specifics of what does it say to general or how does it apply0.  However, my late friend Martyn Lloyd Jones highlights the value of deductive study.  In this case, his view is more helpful.  Once we understand the purpose of whole Bible, it helps us to understand what the individual portions mean.  While we may not come up with an absolute correct understanding, if we try to see how it points to Christ, we can't be far off.

Blessings,

Jeff 

That day" - And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. Zechariah 12:10

So this is a very messianic day - Jesus is the one whom they pierced.  Yet only His followers mourned for him.  So it seems that there is a day yet in the future when people will mourn in this way.  It is not just the people who physically pierced him for they have long since died.  I think this refers to when Jesus returns and all who participated spiritually in His crucifixion will weep for not having turned to Him in faith.  From a spiritual point of view, Christ was on the cross for the sins of the world.  In that way, every person who has ever lived "pierced him".

Another aspect to "that day" is this "prophets being ashamed of his vision" and even denying that he is a prophet.  Previous 2 verses describe idols and false prophecy being removed from the land.  Given the penalty for these false prophets (killed by their own parents), it make some sense that anyone associated with this practice would try to deny it to safe his life.  If this is all associated with the return of Christ, it would seem that false prophecy and idols would continue up to that day.  As I think about what makes their prophecy false, it seems that it would have to do with denying the return of Christ or drawing people away to "false Christs".  Men who claim to be Christ but aren't.

I am committed to the concept that the entire Bible points to Christ.  This passage is addressed to post exile Jews, yet the ultimate fulfillment is related to Christ.  The mystery that was hidden for ages and generations is Christ in you the hope of glory.  I think seeing this passage as pointing to this mystery is helpful.


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