Zechariah (12)

Below is how our small group worked through Zechariah Chapter 12. Maybe there is something here for you.

This past Tuesday we looked at good shepherds and faithless shepherds. Here is a story about a faithful shepherd:

A devout old shepherd lost his favorite Bible while he was out looking for a wayward lamb. Three weeks later, a sheep walked up to him carrying the Bible in its mouth. The shepherd couldn’t believe his eyes. He took the precious book out of the sheep’s mouth, raised his eyes heavenward and exclaimed, “It’s a miracle!”

“Not really,” said the sheep. “Your name is written inside the cover.”

Okay, okay…our passage is Zechariah Chapter 12.

The words in 12:1, “The burden of the word of the LORD [Yahweh]…” introduce the final section of Zechariah (chapters 12 – 14). Remember, there were no chapters or verses in the original documents.

If possible, it will be helpful if we read chapters 12 – 14 at one time prior to Tuesday in order to see the trajectory of the “burden” that Zechariah has, then drop back and consider each chapter for the next three weeks.

Along with this, we might want to review Revelation chapters 21 – 22 and Isaiah chapters 60 – 63. Isaiah has a panorama similar to Zechariah, and Revelation reminds us of where Zechariah and Isaiah (and indeed the entire Bible) are headed.

I have found it helpful to remember the entire Biblical trajectory when I work with passages such as Zechariah chapters 12 – 14; while I may not see all of the details in Zechariah, if I keep in mind that this is about Christ and His people and the glory of God, by God’s grace and the Holy Spirit I can at least glimpse a measure of what God is saying through Zechariah.

When I read a passage like Zechariah Chapter 12 I am reminded of Psalm 2 and Psalm 91. Psalm 2 reminds me that there is conflict between Christ and His people, and the peoples of the world; Psalm 91 reminds me that God takes care of His own. There are numerous Psalms in which God is styled as a rock, a fortress, a refuge, a shield, a shelter, and more. I also think of Isaiah chapters 25 and 26 where we see, once again, God protecting His people in the midst of judgement and chaos. 

This is a motif found throughout Scripture; think of Noah and the Ark, Joseph in prison, Daniel’s friends in the furnace, Daniel in the lions’ den, Israel in Egypt in the midst of the plagues, the remnant preserved during the 70-years captivity – Jesus tells that in the world we will have tribulation, but that we should be at peace and encouraged because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). I love 2 Timothy 1:7 – “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.”

Keep in mind that in Zechariah 12 “David” is a picture and a type of Christ – the name “David” is speaking of Christ, looking forward to Christ, reflecting Christ. See Matthew 1:1, 20; 9:27; 15:22; 20:30; 21:9; Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 3:7; 5:5; 22:16.

What are your thoughts about Zechariah Chapter 12? What do you see as its themes?

Note the Holy Spirit in verse 10.

How might this passage give courage and impart faith to followers of Jesus Christ today?

What are the ways in which the world attempts to instill fear in the hearts and minds of people? What are our neighbors fearful of?

What are the ways some leaders in the professing-church attempt to play on the fears of people, both in the church and outside the church?

Are there fears that you are dealing with in this season of your life? What are they? How can your brothers help you and pray for you?

How can you help others, both within and without the church, confront fear?

Can you please share an example of you overcoming fear in your own life?

Can you share an example of helping someone else overcome fear?

Much love,

Bob