Focus: A little bit of context
There is much poetry in this section of 3 chapters with metaphors and imagery about mighty nations and rulers. The mighty rulers who we would think would last do not last because God is not with them. His fire (judgment) eats them up. There is much imagery and poetry.
In chapter 11, the Staff of Favor/Pleasantness symbolizes rest and peace of the covenant between the Lord and His people. In chapter 11, the Staff of Union symbolizes the relationship between Israel and Judah. In chapter 11, the three shepherds that are destroyed symbolize three kings who ruled for a short time and were removed in Israel’s history. These poetic images make these verses hard to read and interpret, especially since the context is at times lost to us.
In chapter 12, Zechariah is focusing on YHWH in the doom and slaughter. Heaviness will come to all people (12:3) and the only hope anyone has is to believe in the Lord of Hosts (12:5). Zechariah shares that God’s people will find victory and says specifically He will “give salvation” (12:7).
In chapter 13 which is an extension of 11 and 12, Zechariah speaks to the people of the ultimate victory of YHWH as He smashes all the idols. The uncleanness will be removed from the land. God will fill the descendants of David with good things.
Focus: How does this draw us to God?
The unity and favor is broken (11:14). God promises healing and favor even though it has all been broken down. God’s will is still done in the rebelliousness of the people. In 11:15 God uses what is broken and works His will.
In chapter 12, God is allowing the nations to come against His people and will use the war to discipline them. God makes it very clear He is not with the enemy and that in the end He will restore them. A bad thing will happen, but God will use it for His purposes. God will keep His eyes open and watches over the disaster. There are limits to what will happen and at the end of the day, the evil forces will not win.
We see a statement of relationship closeness in 13:9 in which the people call upon God and He responds positively with “They are My people” (13:9). Keep in mind there are passages in the minor prophets in which God disowns the people of God because they are faithless (Hosea). The outcome with God is good. God does not do evil. If we respond to Him, He will leave a blessing in the end.
Focus: OT to the cross
In chapter 11, the phrase “on that day:” is repeated and says the same thing over and over. We are meant to see the mercy of God during physical battles and spiritual battles. The victory takes place and progresses to God’s victory over evil nations and sinful and spiritual forces. There is repetition but also progression to a blessed ending.
Some of the verses in chapter 12 may harken back to the Exodus time when firstborn children were killed and much grief was had by the people. We see this pattern and foreshadowing. Jesus’ glory in Jerusalem is foreshadowed in 12:7. 12:10-13 are a focus on the coming Messiah. Grace and mercy will be poured out amidst the one they pierce (12:10). The mourning will be like that “for an only child” which is a clear foreshadowing of Jesus being the One and Only Son of God.
Zechariah 13:7 is quoted in the New Testament and comes true in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus is arrested (struck) and the sheep scatter (the disciples run away). God purifies those who are left. God has a connection with those who are left.
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Dwelling In Scripture 