Zechariah 14

¹⁴ For further discussion on the subject of “types” in the Old Testament, see General Article: Types and Predictive Events.

¹⁵ Bible scholars have different opinions concerning the Millennium and its relation to Christ’s second coming. However, a plain reading of Revelation 20:1–6 suggests that Christ will reign a thousand years, a period which will occur before the final destruction of the earth and the forming of the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1–2). For further discussion, see General Article: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, in The Applied New Testament Commentary.

¹⁶ The law of Moses required fasting only on the annual Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29–34).

¹⁷ Our fasting is pleasing to God if it is done for the right reasons. In the Old Testament, the major reason for fasting is to demonstrate true repentance and mourning for sin. A second reason is to seek power and guidance from the Lord; the fasting indicates that one is prepared to deny oneself physical comfort in order to obtain spiritual blessing (see Matthew 4:1–2; Acts 13:2; 14:23). If we fast for other reasons–to appear righteous, for example (Matthew 6:16–18)–then we are fasting only for ourselves, not for God.

¹⁸ The word remnant implies both judgment and mercy. God judged most of His disobedient people, but had mercy on the few–the “remnant”–who repented (see Isaiah 10:20–23 and comment).

¹⁹ For further information about Damascus, Tyre, and the Philistines, see Amos 1:3–10 and comment.

²⁰ In verse 7, God says He will take the blood (of pagan sacrifices) from the Philistines’ mouths and the forbidden food (ceremonially unclean food) from between their teeth; in other words, He will destroy all who defy His laws. However, those who are left He will incorporate into the nation of Israel, just as He did with the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of Jerusalem.

²¹ In a spiritual sense, Jesus’ reign as the Prince of Peace has already begun; He is bringing about peace between man and God and also between man and man. But the complete fulfillment of this promise will occur only when Jesus comes again to establish His kingdom.

²² When Jesus came the first time, He came in humility and gentleness (Matthew 11:28–30); He came in peace. When He comes again, He will come as Sovereign Lord and King (Mark 13:26–27).

²³ The believer’s strength is in the Lord; because He is present with His people, they can be assured of ultimate victory.

Though the prophecy in verse 5 relates primarily to the future Messianic kingdom, it was temporarily fulfilled in the period between the Old and New Testaments when some Jewish patriots (the Maccabees) gained independence for Judah that lasted nearly a century. For further discussion, see General Article:The Period Between the Testaments.

²⁴ The two largest tribes of the northern kingdom were founded by Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph; thus the northern kingdom is sometimes called the house of Joseph. (It is also commonly called “Ephraim” or “Israel.”) The northern kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and the Israelites who survived were scattered. Yet here the Lord promises to save (gather) them. This began to take place in Zechariah’s time, but the promise will be completely fulfilled only in the Messianic age.

²⁵ The Lord will redeem or “buy back” His people from their captors. In the same way, Jesus “redeems” us from captivity to sin and Satan by “buying” us back—with His own blood (see 1 Peter 1:18–19). It’s important to note, however, that the Lord only redeems those who are repentant, only those who remember Him (verse 9). For further discussion of redemption, see Exodus 13:11–16 and comment; Word List: Redemption.

²⁶ As the scattered Israelites return to their land, God will enable them to overcome all obstacles; He will help them pass through the sea of trouble (verse 11). Just as He divided the Red Sea and pushed back the waters of the Jordan, so God will continue to aid His people as they walk in His way.

²⁷ For many centuries after Christ’s time, the Jews remained scattered throughout the world, and many of them remain “scattered” to this day. However, in 1948 the Jews were given the opportunity to return to their original homeland (present–day Israel). Many Christians (and virtually all devout Jews) believe that this was in fulfillment of biblical prophecies such as those of Zechariah.

²⁸ The land referred to in verse 6 is Israel, which in Jesus’ day became known as Palestine.

²⁹ In Matthew 27:9, Matthew quotes from Zechariah 11:12–13 and also from the book of Jeremiah, but he attributes the quote only to Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 19:1–13; 32:6–9).

³⁰ The foolish (evil) shepherd of verse 15 has not yet arisen; he is probably the antichrist that the Apostle John spoke of (1 John 2:18; 4:3) or the man of lawlessness mentioned by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3–10. In verse 17, this shepherd is called the worthless shepherd.

³¹ In verse 2, the term idols can refer to anything that takes the place of God in our lives. For further discussion of idolatry, see Exodus 20:3–6; 34:15–16; Deuteronomy 4:28 and comments.

³² Both Old and New Testaments teach that in the last days—the time of Christ’s second coming— the faithful remnant of Jews will be restored to their covenant relationship with God. Meanwhile, through faith in Christ, Gentiles have been “grafted” into Israel. For a fuller discussion of the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles, see Romans Chapter 11.

³³ This final assault on God’s people is probably the same as the one mentioned in Revelation 16:14,16.

³⁴ Some Bible scholars believe that this is a figurative earthquake, a symbol of God’s deliverance. However, unless the context clearly shows otherwise, it is best to take such passages at face value; God can easily produce an earthquake at any time and place He chooses (see Revelation 16:17–21).

³⁵The words HOLY TO THE LORD were engraved on the gold plate worn by the high priest (see Exodus 28:36–38). This signified that the high priest was especially set apart or consecrated for the Lord’s service. For the meaning of consecration, see Exodus 29:1–9 and comment; Word List: Consecration.