Four Points Church Four Points Church

During the Civil War, densely-packed battle lines made it likely that field generals might be killed in battle. During the Battle of Spotsylvania, Union General John Sedgwick stood away from the front and proudly proclaimed to his fellow officers “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” The next moment, he was shot and killed by a Confederate sharpshooter. Killing the leader always results in confusion for those who follow. In Zechariah 13:7-9, it is not the enemy who kills the leader, but God himself. But what could God seek to gain from putting His own leader to death? Our passage explains how our sovereign God uses even great tragedy to save His people.

Chapter 12 marks the beginning of the final oracle in the book of Zechariah. This oracle will continue through the end of the book. As you read the remaining chapters of Zechariah, you can quickly glean the central themes from this last oracle. One of these themes is the great day of salvation that awaits God’s people. In chapters 12-14, the phrase “On that day” occurs fifteen times! Everything can change in a day, can’t it? History hinges on important days: D-Day, Independence Day, and 9/11 to name a few. What a difference a day can make! Zechariah wants to bring encouragement to the people of God by prophesying about what God will do on the great day of salvation that awaits the remnant. On that great day, God will keep His people, He will convert His people, and He will cleanse His people.

After some good news from the prophet in chapter 10, God expounds upon what He said in Zechariah 10:3 in which He spoke through the prophet, “My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders.”

When we read Scripture, we learn about real people who live in real historical times. We learn their names, get to know their families, and study their character traits and accomplishments —or lack thereof. It’s very easy for Christians to over-focus on the human elements in the Bible and completely miss the real power that is at work behind the scenes. Scripture is clear that there is a spiritual realm that is constantly influencing the physical world of man. All the unrighteous, called sons of disobedience, live under the direction of Satan and his fallen angels (Ephesians 2:1-2). Likewise, all those who say “Jesus is Lord” are under the sway of the Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:3). This spiritual reality is made very clear in this section of Zechariah.

The people of Judah are easily discouraged and distracted as they try to restore their nation. At times they waywardly look away from the Lord for provision, direction, and strength and become like lost sheep. Thankfully, God has not left them alone. Zechariah is sent with a message of correction and encouragement. His message not only reminds God’s people that God will shepherd them, but that the coming Messiah will bring stability and protection.