Zechariah 12

B. The burden concerning Israel: the advent and acceptance of Messiah chs. 12-14

This last section of the book contrasts initial judgments on Israel with ultimate deliverance, restoration, and blessing.

"As a portion of the prophetic Scriptures it is second to none in importance in this book or in any other Old Testament book. It is indispensable to an understanding of the events of the last days for Israel-the time of the Great Tribulation and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth." [Note: Feinberg, God Remembers, p. 218.]

The repetition of "in that day" and its equivalent 19 times in these three chapters sets these events quite clearly in the eschaton (end times).

"This prophetic time indicator is equivalent to ’the day of the Lord’ and denotes precisely that future period when the Lord will openly and publicly manifest His power in delivering Israel from her enemies and establishing her in millennial peace and prosperity." [Note: Unger, p. 210.]

Two main events are in view in this oracle: the final siege of Jerusalem and the return of Messiah to the earth to defeat His enemies and establish His kingdom. The nations of the earth play a major role in what these chapters predict. These events follow in time Israel’s acceptance of the evil shepherd predicted in Zechariah 11:15-17.

"The major difference between the two oracles (chap. 11 excepted) is that 12-14 expands greatly on the themes of 9-10 and introduces a cosmic, universalistic motif that is not as clearly perceived in the latter. Moreover, 12-14 focuses on the messianic aspect of the eschatological redemption, going so far as to identify YHWH Himself as the messianic figure (Zechariah 12:10-14; Zechariah 13:7-9)." [Note: Merrill, p. 310.]

1. The repentance of Judah ch. 12

This chapter consists of two parts: Israel’s deliverance (Zechariah 12:1-9) and Israel’s national conversion (Zechariah 12:10-14). These events will happen sequentially and very close together.