A Refined People the Judgment of God Scatters the Deceiver and Sanctifies the Righteous

Session 8

A Refined People The judgment of God scatters the deceiver and sanctifies the righteous.

ZECHARIAH 13:1-9

1 “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. 2 On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the

© 2015Date LifeWay of My Bible Study:______77 land. 3 And if anyone still prophesies, their father and mother, to whom they were born, will say to them, ‘You must die, because you have told lies in the Lord’s name.’ Then their own parents will stab the one who prophesies. 4 On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment of hair in order to deceive. 5 Each will say, ‘I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth.’ 6 If someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body?’ they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’ 7 “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones. 8 In the whole land,” declares the Lord, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. 9 This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”

Observe all the figures of speech in this passage that depict God’s activity of making His people holy. (Example: v. 1—washing under a fountain of water)

FIRST THOUGHTS Gold! Just saying the word can strike deep feelings in people. On January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall, the operator of a sawmill in Coloma, California, spotted a few shiny flakes of a substance in the mill’s water channel. When word of his find got out, it set off the mass migration of nearly 300,000 fortune seekers known as the “California Gold Rush.” Ironically, neither Marshall nor John Sutter, the mill’s owner and namesake, ever profited from the discovery.

What thoughts come to your mind when you see or handle gold? What properties, or characteristics, of gold do people value most?

You’ve probably heard the well-known saying that “all that glitters is not gold.”1 Likewise, all that is gold is not pure gold; in fact, most is not. Gold coins and jewelry often contain up to 10 percent of other alloys. Much of the gold extracted from the ground is only about 85 percent pure. It has to be smelted and refined to remove impurities. The prophet Zechariah thought deeply about the refining process in his day. He was among the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon to the promised land in the late sixth century B.C. They had been given the rare opportunity to restore the city of Jerusalem and to rebuild the Lord’s temple. But Zechariah saw that the Lord was doing much more in his day than merely rebuilding walls and buildings. The Lord was refining His people by removing their idolatry, cleansing their hearts, and testing their faith. What’s more, the Lord’s refining work in Zechariah’s day foreshadowed an eternal treasure to come. Jesus Christ, through His atoning death and victorious resurrection, provided a salvation that is more precious than the purest gold (see 1 Pet. 1:3-9).

© 2015 LifeWay Session 8: A Refined People 79 KEY DOCTRINE: Sanctification Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT

ZECHARIAH 13:1–14:21 Zechariah was one of the few writing prophets to include precise dates for his prophetic revelations and messages. The prophecies in chapters 1–8 are carefully dated within a two-year time frame in the reign of the Persian king, Darius I—that is, from 520–518 B.C. Chapters 9–14, however, contain no specific dates. Likely this is because the prophecies in those chapters concerned the distant future. To understand Zechariah’s context better, we need to recall that in 586 B.C. the Babylonians had conquered the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Babylonian army sacked Jerusalem, demolishing its walls and burning the temple, the king’s palace, and all the great houses of the city (see 2 Kings. 25:9-10). Many Israelites died. Some key city officials and religious leaders were executed (see 25:18-20). The poorest of the poor who escaped death were left to work the land, probably as slaves of the occupiers (see 25:12). The remainder of the Israelites who survived were led as captives to the land of Babylon. Many of them eked out an existence there for more than 50 years, although a few—Esther, Daniel, and Nehemiah, for example—rose to positions of great influence. When Cyrus the Great marched his Persian army into the city of Babylon in 539 B.C., it marked a new beginning for the Jewish exiles. Cyrus proclaimed a royal edict that allowed the Jews to return to the promised land and to rebuild the Lord’s temple (see Ezra 1:2- 4). Zechariah was among the exiles who returned. He and another prophet, Haggai, played key roles in motivating the discouraged returnees to complete the rebuilding of the temple (see Ezra 5:1-2).

80 Explore the Bible | Personal© 2015 LifeWayStudy Guide Zechariah’s prophecies point ultimately to the time when God, through His Son the Messiah, builds a different kind of temple. This KEY DOCTRINE: Sanctification temple will be a purified people, a holy sanctuary with Christ Jesus as Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the the Cornerstone. The entire household will be built for God’s dwelling believer is set apart to God, and is enabled to progress toward moral and in the Spirit (see Eph. 2:17-22). spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. EXPLORE THE TEXT UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT THE FOUNTAIN THAT CLEANSES (ZECH . 13:1-6) VERSE 1 ZECHARIAH 13:1–14:21 Prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., the prophet Jeremiah had Zechariah was one of the few writing prophets to include precise dates condemned the unfaithful Israelites. He declared that the covenant for his prophetic revelations and messages. The prophecies in chapters people had abandoned the Lord, who was their Fountain of living 1–8 are carefully dated within a two-year time frame in the reign water (see Jer. 2:13; 17:13). After the return from exile, the prophet of the Persian king, Darius I—that is, from 520–518 B.C. Chapters Zechariah prophesied a coming day when the Lord would install a 9–14, however, contain no specific dates. Likely this is because the new fountain in Jerusalem. This fountain would be open for all of prophecies in those chapters concerned the distant future. God’s people. For a discouraged city, Zechariah offered a stunning To understand Zechariah’s context better, we need to recall that vision of hope. in 586 B.C. the Babylonians had conquered the Southern Kingdom Israelites living in the semiarid environment of the Middle of Judah. The Babylonian army sacked Jerusalem, demolishing its East cherished a dependable fountain of fresh water as a treasure. walls and burning the temple, the king’s palace, and all the great However, the fountain that Zechariah described did more than houses of the city (see 2 Kings. 25:9-10). Many Israelites died. Some simply quench a person’s physical thirst. This fountain cleansed the key city officials and religious leaders were executed (see 25:18-20). people from their sin and impurity. The poorest of the poor who escaped death were left to work the land, Finding water that truly cleanses can be difficult. After Pontius probably as slaves of the occupiers (see 25:12). The remainder of the Pilate conceded to the crowd’s howls to crucify Jesus, the Roman Israelites who survived were led as captives to the land of Babylon. governor publicly washed his hands in an attempt to deny his guilt Many of them eked out an existence there for more than 50 years, (see Matt. 27:24). However, the stain remained even after the water although a few—Esther, Daniel, and Nehemiah, for example—rose to had dried. Zechariah prophesied of a fountain that forever cleanses positions of great influence. the stains of sin and guilt from the souls of God’s repentant people. When Cyrus the Great marched his Persian army into the city of Babylon in 539 B.C., it marked a new beginning for the Jewish VERSE 2 exiles. Cyrus proclaimed a royal edict that allowed the Jews to return Zechariah prophesied of a day when the Lord would remove idols, false to the promised land and to rebuild the Lord’s temple (see Ezra 1:2- prophets, and the unclean spirit from the land. Jerusalem had known 4). Zechariah was among the exiles who returned. He and another its share of idolatry. King Manasseh serves as an example. He erected prophet, Haggai, played key roles in motivating the discouraged altars to several pagan deities in the temple of God (see 2 Chron. 33:4). returnees to complete the rebuilding of the temple (see Ezra 5:1-2).

© 2015 LifeWay Session 8: A Refined People 81 During certain periods of Israelite history, false prophets and priests of Canaanite gods outnumbered the Lord’s true prophets. Once when King Ahab of Israel and Jehoshaphat of Judah considered joining together in a battle against an enemy, they sought the advice of prophets. Their false prophets numbered 400 (see 1 Kings 22:6). Only one prophet, Micaiah, proved to be a true prophet (22:7-8). Many of the woes experienced by the Israelites in their history could be placed squarely on the shoulders of false prophets. Ezekiel, a true prophet of God, condemned the false prophets who followed their own spirit rather than the Lord’s Spirit (see Ezek. 13:3). Zechariah 13:2 records the only use of the phrase the spirit of impurity in the Old Testament. This unclean spirit, the exact opposite of the Holy Spirit, would be removed from the people as well.

VERSE 3 False prophets serve the enemy of the Lord. They also lead people to idolatrous and unclean worship. These false prophets will not be present among the purified people of God. Zechariah envisioned a hypothetical scenario in which false prophecy again tried to rear its dark presence among God’s people. If such a thing were to happen, not even the parents of the false prophet would be willing to let the man go unchecked. They would stab their son rather than to allow false prophecy to gain a new foothold among the people of God. We should not take from this passage that God ever wants parents to kill their children or even to abuse them in any way. However, we should learn from the passage how serious God is about removing idolatry and false faith from the hearts of His people. We are to be serious about this as well (see 1 Cor. 10:14; Col. 3:5).

VERSES 4-6 Not only would false prophets be removed, previous false prophets would be ashamed of their past and would attempt to deny it. The phrase garment of hair refers to a prophet’s garment (see 2 Kings. 1:8; Matt. 3:4). Zechariah envisioned a day when would-be false prophets dared not don the prophet’s garment. They would claim to have some other occupation. Or they would claim to have been an indentured servant since the days of their youth. All of these confessions would

82 Explore the Bible | Personal© 2015 LifeWayStudy Guide be offered out of fear that they would be shamed as false prophets. The people of God would neither welcome nor tolerate them. The mention of wounds in Zechariah 13:6 refers to the practice of beating or slashing oneself as a sign of submission. There are non- Christian groups in the Middle East to this day who practice self- abuse in the name of their deity. In Zechariah’s day, such actions were seen as evidence the person was an idol-worshiping false prophet. In the coming time, however, the person with wounds would offer some other reason for them. Zechariah prophesied of a day when the people of the Lord would witness the removal of false prophets.

How have you seen God address unfaithful religious leaders? How does what you have seen compare to the description stated in this passage?

THE STRIKE THAT FREES (ZECH . 13:7)

VERSE 7 The Lord also revealed to his prophet the way in which idols, false prophets, and the spirit of evil would ultimately be removed. Zechariah saw that the Lord would send His Shepherd to receive a death blow on behalf of the sheep. The death of this Shepherd would bring cleansing from sin and freedom from false worship. The New Testament gives us clear testimony about the fulfillment of this prophecy. In John 10:11-13, Jesus portrayed Himself as the Good Shepherd, in contrast to “hired hands” (false prophets, priests, and deliverers) who desert the sheep in the moment danger arises. The Good Shepherd, Jesus taught, willingly lays down His life for the sheep. Jesus declared that He would indeed lay down His life for those who belonged to Him (see John 10:15). One of the most remarkable aspects of Zechariah’s prophecy in verse 7 is the revelation that God Himself will strike His Shepherd. That is, although a human instrument of death, a sword, will be used to smite the Shepherd, God will have set the plan in motion. He will have directed the action. The death of the Shepherd in no way will take God by surprise. As a gospel song reminds us, it’s the way of the cross that leads home for all who trust in Jesus Christ.

Zechariah further revealed that the Shepherd’s death would result in the scattering of the sheep. Again, this result would not take God by surprise. God knew that the Shepherd’s death would confuse and dishearten the sheep. The scattering would come from Him and come only because He permitted it. It would be an act of divine discipline. The New Testament again shows us that Jesus fulfilled this amazing prophecy. On the night of His betrayal and arrest, Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7 as a warning to His disciples. They would all run away and scatter in fear because of what was happening to Jesus. However, He went on to encourage the disciples that after His resurrection He would go ahead of them into Galilee (see Matt. 26:31- 33; Mark 14:27-28). The confused, scattered flock would be reunited with their crucified and resurrected Shepherd.

What thoughts come to your mind as you reflect on Jesus’ willingness to die on the cross for your sake? What does freedom in Christ mean to you?

THE FIRE THAT REFINES (ZECH . 13:8-9) These two verses of Zechariah’s prophecy emphasize that the Lord continually works to purify believers. Not all people will receive God’s salvation in Jesus Christ. Jesus taught this in the Sermon on the Mount when He spoke of a broad road leading to destruction and a narrow, sparsely populated road leading to life (see Matt. 7:13-14). He also warned about those who claim allegiance to Him yet refuse to obey God. They will one day be sent away (see 7:21-23). Zechariah’s prophecy of the refined remnant foreshadowed these teachings.

VERSE 8 Zechariah reminded his hearers that he was not telling them his opinions or giving them his best guess about the future. His words

84 Explore the Bible | Personal© 2015 LifeWayStudy Guide were the very word of the Lord. The prophet so closely spoke for God that he addressed the people in first-person language (“I will put” … “I will refine” … “I will test” … “I will answer them”). The division of the whole land (that is, its population) into two- thirds and one-third reveals, sadly, that a purified remnant of believers will always be significantly less than the number of the disobedient. On the other hand, it also encourages believers that they are not alone in the faith (see 1 Kings 19:14,18). There is always a faithful remnant.

BIBLE SKILL: Read, analyze, personalize, and respond to a Bible verse. Zechariah 13:9 speaks of a process of spiritual refinement. Read the verse several times, emphasizing pronouns one time and verbs another time. Personalize the verse by inserting your name for every “them” and “they.” Take note of how you respond to this verse.

VERSE 9 Here is a key verse of this prophecy. It reveals the purposes of God in allowing His people to face tribulation and persecution. He is not a God who enjoys watching His children squirm like an insect being dangled over a fire. Rather, the Lord uses trials and difficulties to refine His people into a remnant of strong, faithful followers. Believers can count it as a great joy to face trials. Such tests will produce a precious treasure: spiritual maturity that cannot be found otherwise (see Jas. 1:2-4). The tested and refined remnant will worship the Lord sincerely. They will find their relationship with God to be all He intends and all they need for fulfillment (see John 10:10).

What tools does God use to refine believers? What factors impact how a person interprets God’s use of those tools?

© 2015 LifeWay Session 8: A Refined People 85 IN MY CONTEXT God holds accountable people who claim to speak the truth, yet misrepresent Him. We must turn to Jesus if we want to be cleansed from the guilt of sin. Through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, we can find freedom from sin. We can embrace the trials of this life, knowing that God is using them to refine His people.

How may believers guard against being led astray by false prophets? What role can your Bible study group have in guarding you? What does the group need to do to help one another identify false prophets?

Reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for your sin. How is your life an expression of the freedom from sin that His sacrifice secured? What evidence can be observed by others?

Identify ways God is currently refining you, thanking Him for doing so.

PRAYER JOURNAL

1 William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene 7, Line 4 of Morocco’s third speech.