Zechariah 7-14
The Messiah
Rejected and Accepted

We love God because He is lovely, and loves us in meeting our needs. When in trouble we call upon God; when He answers, we proclaim His name. The same Hebrew verb (call/proclaim) is used for both actions. Because of God's help, we not only praise Him, but have peace/rest, and promise to walk in His ways, as His servant.

In response to God's help the psalmist will proclaim to others what God has done, increasing His reputation in their eyes, thus glorifying Him. This was one of the Hallel Praise Psalms, sung after the Passover meal. The “cup of salvation” was the third cup of the Passover Seder (see post on Exodus 6:6-7) commemorating the redemption of Israel out of Egypt. It was accompanied by praise and declarations of what God had done more recently in coming to the aid of His people. One praised God publicly at the temple when offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving which one had vowed while in trouble. Thus God is seen in the eyes of all who hear, as the merciful and mighty Redeemer of His people.

Fools just don't get it, and give grief to those around them. They might be able to quote proverbs, but like a lame man's legs, it does them no good. Proverbs are designed to prick our conscience and cause discomfort where we're disobedient or unwise, but like a thorn piercing the hand of a drunkard, fools feel none of the intended sting. If you put any confidence in a fool or rely on them to do anything, you'll regret it. Try expecting the best of them, is like tying a stone in a sling, it comes back to whomp you on the side of the head.

Two years after the previous visions, the temple was nearing completion, and the people want to know if they should continue to fast to commemorate the fall of Jerusalem and the burning of the temple as they had done in the exile. God said they weren't doing that for His purposes, but like everything else they were doing, it was for themselves. Like many modern “worshipers” the religious things they were doing were geared to making themselves feel good, not making God feel good. If you want God to feel good, listen to His word, and obey it (otherwise you will feel bad when He judges disobedience).

God's continued response in verse 7 begins with an interrogative particle, indicating that what follows is a question (like in Spanish). It is better to understand the question as “Are they?” at the end (like an English question mark). This gives the sense in accord with the context, that “God never proclaimed a such a fast, did He?” There is no record in the Scripture of God telling them to do so. But there is a record of the requirements to hear and do God's word, which some translators reflect by (appropriately) inserting a “hear” or “do” in the verse.

God doesn't want us to deny food and fast, but to deny ourselves and learn and obey His revealed will, particularly in our just and loyal relationships with others. God hadn't mandated fasting, but “thus” He did mandate:

• execute true justice on behalf of others in the community
• show hesed/loyal covenantal love and compassion to fellow saints;
• don't oppress the weak for the sake of financial gain;
• don't devise evil against one's brother/sister in their heart;

These items are repeated in the next chapter for emphasis. For the refusal to listen to Him and do these things God had refused to listen to them and scattered them into exile. The people needed to learn from their past mistakes or would suffer the same consequences they did in the past.

Restoration of the City of Truth & Righteousness: Truth is also translated faithfulness, reflecting the idea of being loyal to the truth. God's works are done in truth/faithfulness and righteousness and so should those of His people.

Restoration of Blessing in the City of the Strong & Righteous: Note the section is bounded by the admonition to be strong, both for the purposes of rebuilding the temple in which God's presence and glory would dwell, and to carry out God's requirements of righteousness.

The previously reaped ruin for disobedience is replaced by good for obedience

Call for truth & justice, because God hates the opposite, and won't bless bad behavior.

Fasting will replaced by feasts and rejoicing for the righteous,

All nations inquire of God via the kingdom of priests. When the Jews obey and embody truth and righteousness, God will use them as originally intended, to be a kingdom of priests to the truth-seekers of the world

The first oracle starts with a description of God scattering the nations, which some think was fulfilled by Alexander the great, as God's agent, but God protected Jerusalem. As a result of the judgment some Gentiles would become God's people

The righteous Messiah having salvation comes to Jerusalem on a donkey's foal (at His first coming) who will bring peace to the nations (at His return). Compare Isaiah with Luke 

God is the one who gives rain and blessing, in contrast to false idols, and those who serve them. False shepherds will be punished for their failure to guide the sheep in the right way. Four images (cornerstone, nail, bow, and ruler) are mentioned indicating the work of the Messiah in reestablishing the temple, building the city, protecting it, and ruling over it.

the regathered people will be mighty because Yahweh is with them. He will not only save them, but prosper them so they will rejoice. They will be regathered and multiplied, exercising dominion in His name.

In contrast to the previous two chapters, largely devoted to the blessings of Judah in devastating their enemies, this one looks at the devastation that will occur due to the rejection of the Messiah. There are three kinds of shepherds in view in this chapter. The wailing ones are probably the inept, unrighteous leaders of Israel  who rejected the Good shepherd. The final one is the false shepherd or anti-Christ. In addition, there are three shepherds mentioned in verse 8, which haven't been identified in history, and might represent the various classes of leaders mentioned in Luke (elders, chief priests and scribes) according to some. In the end of verse 8 the people loathe/detest the good shepherd who had favored and united them, leading to the breaking of favor and the covenant in verse 10 and the union in verse 14. Many think this refers to the scattering of the Jews in AD 70 when the temple was destroyed. It's surprising that the rejection of the Messiah is so understated in verse 8, although the betrayal for the 30 pieces of silver gives some elaboration.

The rejection of the Messiah led to the future giving of the nation into the hand of an evil shepherd, considered by many to be the anti-Christ.

The second oracle begins with Jerusalem surrounded by besieging enemies, getting rescued by God. He will save them, and empower them to destroy their enemies, and then give them glory.

When God rescues them, and pours out on them a spirit of grace and supplication, they will look upon Him whom they pierced and mourn. This will occur for the nation at the second coming of the Messiah.

In that day, a spring will be opened for the house of David to be cleansed. Most view this as the cleansing work of the blood of the sacrificed Messiah. Idols and false prophets will be totally removed or silenced. Prophets will no longer proudly proclaim lies, but deny they were ever a prophet.

The Messiah applied verse 7 to Himself in Matthew. Only a third of the scattered of the sheep would be regathered and purified. Then they will call upon the name of the Lord, and He will hear them. They will live in covenantal relationship with Him and be blessed.

The chapter opens with Jerusalem surrounded by the nations, and rescued by the Messiah, but with half the population lost. The Messiah will fight against the nations, splitting the Mount of Olives in two, creating a corridor of safety for His people by His physical presence. Then God and His holy ones will come to Jerusalem. It will be a totally unique day in history, known only to Yahweh, with neither light or darkness, aka, the Day of the Lord. In the evening, there will be light. This corresponds to circumstances described in Ezekiel's account of the Millennial temple from which will flow living waters, and God's glory will give light. Yahweh will be king over the whole earth (which hasn't happened yet) and Israel will be blessed in the promised land.