The last two chapters of Zechariah are about the remnant of Israel, including the Jews of his day, but more specifically — in a second fulfillment — the church. Essentially, it is the result of righteous living among the returned exiles (including rebuilding the Temple).
A fountain will be opened
I can’t help but hear the old hymn in my head, “There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.” 13:1 opens with a reference to a fountain opened for the house of David and inhabitants of Jerusalem (the church) for sin and impurity. How do we know that it refers to the church and not just the Jews of the post exilic period? It mentions how the idols will have been destroyed, how all false prophets will have been eradicated, and a Messianic age in which the LORD would be king over all the earth! And indeed, the only fountain opened that really has the power to cleanse from sin and impurity is the blood of Jesus.
His is the only effective sacrifice for sin. There is salvation in no other. As Hebrews 9:13, 14 puts it, “For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Rags to riches
One of the other things to pay attention to here, from a prophet trying to encourage a poor and beleaguered Jewish people, is the rags to riches promise he was giving them. If they would be faithful, their poverty would be turned around radically! It reminds me of the beatitudes,
““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:3-8
Have you taken advantage of God riches? Or are you still looking on your own riches here on earth? Not that God’s riches are all about the “sweet bye and bye” — there’s plenty of His riches to be enjoyed here and now, but not everyone can see or appreciate them. Take the time to both see and appreciate what God offers us in the spirit here and now: guidance, wisdom, real life, hope, better marriages and families, a clean conscience, love, brethren, the church, a meaning and purpose in life, and more. There, now don’t you feel richer already?
See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
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About parklinscomb
I'm a minister for the Rock Hill church of Christ in Frisco TX (rhcoc.org) where I've worked since 2020. I'm a big fan of my family, archaeology, the Bible, and the Lord's church.
parklinscomb
The reward for righteousness — Zechariah 13-14
The last two chapters of Zechariah are about the remnant of Israel, including the Jews of his day, but more specifically — in a second fulfillment — the church. Essentially, it is the result of righteous living among the returned exiles (including rebuilding the Temple).
A fountain will be opened
I can’t help but hear the old hymn in my head, “There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.” 13:1 opens with a reference to a fountain opened for the house of David and inhabitants of Jerusalem (the church) for sin and impurity. How do we know that it refers to the church and not just the Jews of the post exilic period? It mentions how the idols will have been destroyed, how all false prophets will have been eradicated, and a Messianic age in which the LORD would be king over all the earth! And indeed, the only fountain opened that really has the power to cleanse from sin and impurity is the blood of Jesus.
His is the only effective sacrifice for sin. There is salvation in no other. As Hebrews 9:13, 14 puts it, “For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Rags to riches
One of the other things to pay attention to here, from a prophet trying to encourage a poor and beleaguered Jewish people, is the rags to riches promise he was giving them. If they would be faithful, their poverty would be turned around radically! It reminds me of the beatitudes,
Have you taken advantage of God riches? Or are you still looking on your own riches here on earth? Not that God’s riches are all about the “sweet bye and bye” — there’s plenty of His riches to be enjoyed here and now, but not everyone can see or appreciate them. Take the time to both see and appreciate what God offers us in the spirit here and now: guidance, wisdom, real life, hope, better marriages and families, a clean conscience, love, brethren, the church, a meaning and purpose in life, and more. There, now don’t you feel richer already?
See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
Share this:
Like this:
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About parklinscomb
I'm a minister for the Rock Hill church of Christ in Frisco TX (rhcoc.org) where I've worked since 2020. I'm a big fan of my family, archaeology, the Bible, and the Lord's church.