Zechariah 12:1-14Theme: End times.This week’s lessons remind us that today is the day of salvation.
LessonThe second part of the statement tells what God is going to do. He is going to make “Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding nations reeling” (v. 2). Jerusalem and the surrounding area of Judah will be besieged; this will be the time of Jacob’s trouble. But out of that will come the judgment on the Gentile nations that the next verses describe. The cup is the cup of God’s wrath or judgment (cf. Is. 51:17; Jer. 25:15-28, 49:12; Ezek. 23:31-34; Rev. 14:9-10, 16:19).
Since the first half of Zechariah 12 tells of God’s final judgment and the destruction of the Gentile nations that have made war against Israel, after which they pass from history, it is worth noting that the last act of these Gentile world powers is warfare.
Apparently the nations of the world will combine in a final, deadly onslaught against the state of Israel. But God will strengthen the nation to resist: “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves” (v. 3). God will call forth strong leaders: “On that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a fireport in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves” (v. 6). Indeed, he will make heroes even of the least of the people: “On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the Lord going before them” (v. 8). In all of this, God’s hand will be seen. The victory over the nations will be his: “On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness…. I will keep a watchful eye over the house of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations” (v. 4). “On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem” (v. 9). Study Questions
What does Zechariah prophesy about Jerusalem?
What will God bring upon the nations after Judah is besieged?
What is the prophesied outcome of Jerusalem?
Further StudyStudy the passages pertaining to the cup of God’s wrath mentioned in today’s lesson: Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15-28, 49:12; Ezekiel 23:31-34; Revelation 14:9-10, 16:19.
ApplicationWhat is the only way to avoid the cup of God’s wrath? Are there people you know who face that grim future, friends and family who don’t know Christ? If so, call 1-800-956-2644 to order for them a copy of a booklet called Is Jesus the Only Way?
