Podcast Introduction

Today is Prophecy Friday Zechariah 8-14.  I’m calling today’s episode “There Is A Fountain.”  

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The Messiah is prophesied in chapter 6. There, He is referred to as the Branch, who will build the Temple of the Lord. What temple did Jesus build? The Church. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19.

And then in chapter 7, the Lord, through Zechariah, said that His people ignored Him, so He ignored them and scattered them among the nations.

But in chapter 8 He once again said how much He loves them, and then makes nine more statements that demonstrate that love, so that they would not be discouraged by the punishment they had received because of their disobedience. 

And isn’t that how a loving Father disciplines his child? How terrible it is when a parent allows a child to lose hope, to doubt that he or she is still loved. Discipline should always be couched in love, and the child should always have that love reinforced.

This is what God the Father has always done for us, His children.

In verse 1 of chapter 12, we read, “The word of the Lord concerning Israel. A declaration of the Lord, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundation of the earth, and formed the spirit of man within him.”

This verse is confirming that the God who created all that is spoke this message, just in case there was any doubt about its veracity. The Supreme Being of the Universe has a message, and all who hear should listen. 

The bottom line of God’s message is that any nation that comes against Jerusalem will ultimately be soundly defeated. Any nation that comes against Israel is on a fool’s errand. They may triumph for a day, but the final outcome is sure. 

The chapter ends, of course, with a look forward to Jesus Himself, the fact that He would be pierced, and the mourning that would take place upon His death.

Chapter 13 begins with the declaration of what would be the result of the piercing. It says, “On that day a fountain  will be opened for the house of David and for the residents of Jerusalem, to wash away sin and impurity.“ Of course, being on this side of the prophecy and having knowledge of the New Testament and the work of Jesus, we know that this promise applies to all, not just to the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, it applies to all who believe.

The rest of the chapter speaks more to who this Messiah would be, and it ends with another beautiful promise, “I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say: They are My people, and they will say: Yahweh is our God.”

Imagine. This God who created all that is says, “Steve is mine. Mike is mine. Suzie is mine.” Put your own name in there. You are His, if He is your God. What a privilege! Are you feeling bad today? Do you think no one loves you? Do you get no respect? YOU ARE HIS! Hallelujah! You. Are. His. That should thrill your heart. I know it thrills mine.

The final chapter of Zechariah shows us a glimpse of one of the final chapters of man’s history on Earth. It talks about a last battle with those who are against God, and the resolution of the aftermath. Peace. 

Why did the Lord leave this message with us? So that, even when we are still in the midst of the turmoil and pain that we all must endure, our heart can have peace in the knowledge that we belong to Him and as such, we will be included in His victory and then have lasting peace. Sure, there are difficulties in life, but we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that they are temporary. Whatever situation we are in, it is only for a season. It is not permanent. God *is* permanent and unchanging. His promises never fail. And His promise is that victory is sure, and peace is secure. Rest in that, Beloved.

Today's Bible Translation