Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ZECHARIAH - CHAPTER 13

THE REMNANT POINTED TO THE CROSS

Verse 1:

Verse 1 declares that in that day of mourning there will be a fountain opened to the house of David, and his city’s inhabitants, for sin and for uncleanness. It has been available, and offered to all who would receive it, even through all their years of dispersion, but they were blinded and would not come to the fountain, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19. Like Hagar in the wilderness, Israel remains blind, until God opens their eyes through further judgment chastening; Though the fountain has been available all the time, Genesis 21:19; Revelation 22:17. Both justification and sanctification flow to man, through the fountain of the blood, as pictured in ceremonial sacrifices, Numbers 19:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Hebrews 9:13-14; 1 John 1:7; Ezekiel 36:25.

Idols And False Prophets To Cease

Verses 2-5:

Verse 2 foretells the decree of the Lord to cut off the names of all idols out of the land of promise, so that they shall no more be remembered, recalled, or adored by any, because they were contemptible to the Lord of the Law, Exodus 20:2-5; Exodus 23:13; Deuteronomy 12:3; Psalms 16:4. For they had been associated with the sorcerers and diviners, Malachi 3:5; Acts 16:16; 1Jo 4;6. Judah’s two greatest sins were idolatry and false prophets. Yet covetousness, a form of idolatry, is yet prevalent in our own land today, Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5. The Lord also vows to cause false prophets and seducing spirits, so prevalent today, to pass from the land before Him. 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 16:13; 1 John 4:4.

Verse 3 declares that when any shall yet prophesy, prophecy in conflict with the word and way of the Lord, (as they do now) in that day their natal father and mother shall declare them to be unworthy to live, and shall themselves thrust their own false prophet son through or slay him, as unworthy to live, as prescribed in the Law, Deuteronomy 13:6-10; Deuteronomy 18:20. Love to God shall then have priority over parental or natural family ties. Matthew 10:37. Evil was thus to be denounced and punished.

Verse 4 foretells that in that day former prophets who have prophesied, and not had their visions fulfilled, shall be ashamed of their calling. They shall no be permitted to wear sackcloth or a rough garment. the badge of a prophet, to conceal their deceit or that they have been wolves in sheep’s clothing, 2 Kings 1:8; Isaiah 20:2; See also Matthew 3:4.

Verse 5 advises that the former false prophet t is to announce that he is not a prophet, but an husbandman, and that man taught him to be an herdsman or keeper of cattle from his youth, much as Amos was, Amos 7:14.

Preaching To Israel

Verses 6, 7:

After the Second Advent Of The Lord

Verse 6 states that one shall inquire of Christ, the Messiah, "What are these wounds or scars in thine hands?" Psalms 22:16; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 10:18. To which He shall respond, that they are "those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends," scars from his hands, from the nails that were driven through them, the punishment He received, as if a false prophet, Deuteronomy 13:10; John 1:11; Romans 9:5; Romans 12:10.

Verse 7 is a prophetic call for the sword to be lifted against the Shepherd of the Lord, his fellow associate of the godhead, and smite Him; Jesus interpreted this as referring to Him and His church flock, on the night of His betrayal, Matthew 26:31-32; Matthew 26:61. Jesus was the Shepherd of the Lord, Isaiah 40:11; Hebrews 13:20. This is a resumption of the deceitful betrayal of the Lord, Zechariah 11:4; Zechariah 11:10; Zechariah 11:13-14. The men of Israel did it, with wicked hands, Acts 2:23; Acts 3:18; Acts 4:28. When the Shepherd was smitten, his sheep were scattered, frustrated, Mark 14:27; John 1:29; Acts 2:21; Acts 4:28-29. He pledged to turn His hand of help, or protection upon the little ones, the humble flock-followers of Him, Isaiah 1:25; Luke 12:32. They were His church, whom He had chosen, John 15:16; John 15:27; whom He commissioned and comforted, John 20:17-21, and promised that the gates of hell should not prevail against, subdue or overcome, Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:21.

Result Of the Gentile Beast Innovation

Verses 8, 9:

Verse 8 certifies that two thirds of the people of the land shall be cut off and die, at the Antichrist’s incited Armageddon against Israel. returning to Zechariah 12:10. This verse and the next refer to the suffering of the remnant, preceding the final battle of Armageddon, Isaiah 1:9; Romans 11:5; Zechariah ch. 14; Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:11.

Verse 9 pledges to bring one third of the remnant through the fire, the great battle, and refine, purify, and test them for fidelity, as silver and gold are tested, Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 9:6; Malachi 3:3. The remaining of the remnant shall call upon and worship the name of the Lord, and He pledges to call them "my people," as they vow, "The Lord is (exists as) my God," Psalms 66:10; Amos 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:15; 1 Peter 1:6-7; See also Jeremiah 30:18-22; Ezekiel 11:19-20; Hosea 2:23; Jeremiah 24:7.