Zechariah Chapter 12 Treasures From The Book of Zechariah

Zech 12: [1] The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. [2] Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. [3] And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

1. The Siege of Israel (1-3)

The Book of Zechariah is second to none in OT prophecy regarding end time events for Israel.

In Zechariah’s day, Israel endured great hardship and many struggles; for the nation is in ruins.

But Zechariah, writing 500 years before Christ, gives a prophetical word concerning the future of Israel.

God promised Israel that their nation would be restored and their people would be re-gathered.

God promised Israel that He would send their Redeemer, the Messiah.

Zechariah has been a prophet of hope and encouragement.

Yet in chapter 11, Zechariah foretold that Israel would reject their Messiah.

John 1: [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Here, in chapters 12-14 Israel’s future and final deliverance is prophesied.

The words “in that day”, are recorded 16 times in these 3 chapters and speak of the Second Coming of Jesus.

In verse 1, Zechariah records “the burden of the word of the Lord for Israel.”

This burden is a judgment that brings great grief. This burden is “for Israel” and is from the Lord.

In verse 2, the Lord God says that He will “make Jerusalem a cup of trembling.”

You see it is God that causes and allows this “siege” of Israel to happen.

In case you wonder if God can do this, look back at verse 1.

Verse 1, reminds us that God is Creator. He made everything that is, in Creation, heaven, earth and man.

Since He made all things and is the Creator then it is He that is in Sovereign control.

He is the beginning and He is the ending. God will cause Israel to be under siege.

In verse 2, God has Zechariah prophesy about the “siege” of Israel, where Israel is attacked.

The Gentile nations of the world will turn against Israel and will converge upon Israel.

God will “make Jerusalem a cup of trembling,” which causes men to reel and stagger about.

Though Israel is surrounded, the Gentile nations cannot conquer her.

The nations stagger in their conquest as reeling drunkards.

In verse 3, God will “make Jerusalem a burdensome stone.”

A “burdensome stone” is a stone which cannot be lifted, though men try to remove it and carry it away.

As men try to move this stone, the men are “cut in pieces” which is to be grievously injured.

In attempting to lift the heavy stone, men are torn and herniated.

The proud Gentile nations, led by the anti-Christ, thought they can destroy God’s people, Israel.

They have attempted to attack, but are unsuccessful and cannot claim their prize.

This siege will develop into the greatest gathering for war in history.

The battle of Armageddon which was enticed by Satan and motivated by Satan.

Gathered are the masses of humanity from China, India, Russia, the Arab nations, the Revived Roman Empire.

The entire world will turn against Israel.

Ps 118:6-14

[6] The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?[7] The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. [8] It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.[9] It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.[10] All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.[11] They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.[12] They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.[13] Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.[14] The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

Zech 12:[4] In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. [5] And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. [6] In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. [7] The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. [8] In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
[9] And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

2. The Shielding of Israel (4-9)

In verse 4, God says He will smite “every horse” and “his rider.”

Horses are symbolic of strength, power and warfare. The horses are host to a formidable army

At the Battle of Armageddon, the blood will flow as deep as the horses bridle, Rev 14:20.

The rider will be stricken with “madness” which is panic, terror and confusion.

In verse 5, the phrase, “the governors of Judah” pictures those who live in the country outside the city.

The governors of Judah will proclaim the promises of God to Jerusalem as their strength.

Psalms 46:5

[5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Israel once thought their strength was in weapons and in the wisdom of men.

It as at this time they realize that their real strength is in the Lord and the promises of His Word.

In verse 6, the governors of Judah will be made as a fireplace to burn and destroy the Gentile nations in.

As the Gentiles converge on Israel, the Gentiles are devoured in the countryside.

This attack will not touch the city of Jerusalem. The city is undisturbed, shielded and secure.

In verse 7, God delivers Judah and the countryside of Israel first.

This way the city of Jerusalem cannot glory that they saved Judah.

In verse 8, we see the Lord shielding the city of Jerusalem.

The feeble inhabitants of the city shall be as David.

Remember David was the lowly shepherd boy that God chose and anointed as King of Israel.

It was to little David, that God gave victory over the giant Goliath.

David became the greatest soldier in all of Israel; bold and brave; skillful and strong.

“Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands”, says 1 Samuel 18:7.

These feeble inhabitants shall be empowered by God. The weakest will be strengthened like David.

In verse 9, God will seek to destroy all nations that make war with Jerusalem.

God will be the shield to Jerusalem and all of Israel.

Zech 12:[10] And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. [11] In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. [12] And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; [13] The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; [14] All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

3. The Sorrow of Israel (10-14)

While Israel is thinking about God shielding and delivering them, Jesus returns in the Second Coming.

They will realize the One who has come to save them is the very One they rejected at His first coming.

They recognize Him as the One who was crucified. Pierced by the thorns, nails and spear in His side.

Immediately they know their mistake and express sorrow for their sin.

In verse 11, their sorrow will be greater than any sorrow Israel has ever felt or expressed.

Their mourning is even greater than the lamentation which was made over the murder of King Josiah.

In verse 12, the family of the house of David is singled out. The royal family will be mourning.

To David the Messianic Promise was made.

2Samuel 7:16

[16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Through King David was a royal lineage through which the King of Kings came.

Then in verse 12, the family of the house of Nathan was singled out.

This could be the prophet Nathan. Jesus will be recognized by Kings and by prophets.

However I wonder if this Nathan is not David’s son, nNathan through which was the lineage of Mary.

In Luke 3:31 we trace the virgin Mary, as a pure blood line through which the Messiah was born.

The royal lineage and the pure blood lineage rejected the Messiah in His first coming.

Realizing their sad mistake they will mourn.

In verse 13, the family of the house of Levi was singled out; particularly the priest Shimei , 1Chr 6:17.

Levi would represent the priestly families. All of the priesthood will realize their mistake.

All those years the priests were supposed to connect men to God.

All those years the priests were to speak about the Lord, the coming Messiah.

All those sacrifices of little lambs they had slain and offered.

They missed it! Surely they will mourn!

In verse 14, we see the families of Israel repenting for their sin of rejecting the Messiah.

Yet, now they have repented and turned to the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. The Salvation of Israel (10)

Jesus said “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted”, Matt 5:4.

To mourn is to express from the heart sorrow and bitterness.

God will forgive and restore.

In verse 10, God says “I will pour upon the house of David…. the spirit of grace.”

God doesn’t sprinkle blessing out, He pours them out.

God never pours His Spirit out on unbelievers.

Hebrews 10:29 speaks of the Spirit of Grace.

The Spirit of grace and supplication is that which causes us be granted the unmerited favor of God.

The Spirit of grace and supplication is that which causes us to humble ourselves and pray in thanks.

Joel 2:28

[28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

In verse 10, we see the Holy Trinity.

God said He would pour out His Spirit.

God said “they shall look upon me”, speaking of God.

God said “they shall mourn for him”, speaking of the Son of