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This is a podcast sharing thoughts and insights for the accompanying the daily reading schedule for the book, Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 Days.
Welcome to day 364 of Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 Days!
Let us pray:
O Lord, thank You for this journey through Your Word. Teach us what we need to learn today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s see what Zechariah has for us today in chapter 13!
Yesterday we read about the Israelites recognizing that the One they pierced was the Messiah. They mourned for their sin and the pain they inflicted on Jesus.
Today in verse 1, we read, “In that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem [to cleanse them from] sin and uncleanness.” There is nothing we can do now, and there will be nothing we can do in the future to cleanse ourselves from sins. That is why we need Jesus.
God will cleanse the people from idolatry and false prophets so that no one will remember that either existed. Some scholars believe that God will cleanse the people of their sins so that even they won’t remember their sins. Either way, God has a plan to sanctify the people.
Verse 8 says that only one-third of the people will be alive after two-thirds are burned through the purification process. Verse 9 says, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will hear and answer them. I will say, It is My people; and they will say, The Lord is my God.” Yes, God’s will has always been that the people say, “The Lord is my God.” May we know, understand, and believe that the Lord is our God.
In chapter 14, Zechariah sees a vision where all the nations go up against Jerusalem. We don’t know if this vision is from the Roman attack in 70 A.D. or if it is a vision of the end times. It is likely at the end times because of what Zechariah writes about next.
He sees that the light we know of will diminish, and God will light the world with His magnificent glory. Then in verse 8, we read about the living waters of Jerusalem. The people have always struggled for water, but the river of living waters will be established, and there will never be a worry about water again.
Jerusalem will become safe, and all their enemies will be destroyed. People from every nation will go up once a year to worship the Lord and keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the feast where the Israelites made temporary huts or booths to remember when God took them out of Egypt, watched over them, and provided for them for forty years in the wilderness. People bring their first fruits to the Lord and thank Him for His provision and faithfulness to them. They also sacrifice daily to the Lord during this Feast. The Lord tells us we will do this in the future. If any nation doesn’t go to this Feast, God will cause a drought for their land and a plague for the people. May we always be thankful to the Lord for all He does and all He does for us.
We read about the inscription on the little bells worn by horses that say “HOLY TO THE LORD.” Horses were used in battle, but there will be no need for fighting in the millennium. The horses will be used to signify God’s holiness. And the last verse tells us that all the pots in all the houses in Jerusalem and Judah will be dedicated as holy to the Lord, not just the pots in God’s house. Last, no unclean person will be able to enter the house of the Lord. This has been God’s plan all along. May we seek Him, His will for our lives, and keep our eyes on Him.
Let us pray:
O Lord, thank You for Your perfect plan. Help us continue to seek You and draw closer to You. Please continue to teach us about You and Your ways, Father. And keep us Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.