Zechariah 12:2 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Zechariah 12:2

Comments

Once it starts to be positive, the language becomes increasingly so. When Israel’s enemies come against her, Jerusalem will be to them a cup of trembling or of inebriation which causes trembling. They thought that it would be a simple task to rob her of her treasures and spoil the land and take possession of its capital. Here, they said to themselves, is a cup full of pleasant drink which we will gulp down, but instead they find that what they have drunk has had an effect on them they never expected. Either we say that Zechariah has gone back in time from the events described at the end of chapter 11 and is speaking of the literal city which will be protected up to the time of the incarnation. It would then be a picture of all the hostility and opposition which Jerusalem will be subject to, even at the time of Christ, which nevertheless will not bring them down. There will be widespread opposition and hatred to Jerusalem, but God will protect them and the place will be kept in peace for a time for the inauguration of the church and the spread of the gospel before the persecution breaks upon the church. Or, better, we say that Jerusalem and the land of Judah stands for the church of God. That church is located throughout the world and is not limited to one place. Now the judgment is come, the city is destroyed, but as the physical city dies the new Jerusalem would be a cup of trembling. The New Testament church will survive and rise above the Roman Empire. Zechariah has already used Jerusalem as a figure in this way in his visions (10:9), and at this point in the prophecy he has in mind the gospel age. Physical Jerusalem no longer plays a significant part in God’s purpose during the church age. Again, Jerusalem will be like a stone which looked easy to lift and carry away, but which, when anyone makes the attempt, turns out to be a burden greater than they can cope with. God will watch over his church and surround it with his love, even though all the nations of the world cooperate to destroy it. The church of Christ will be immovable century after century. Those who try to break us will be broken.

Application

Jerusalem is besieged and yet the nations roundabout will tremble. Jerusalem is so powerful, that she will bring down all who oppose her. It is hard to think of any time in history when this has been true literally, but as applied to the church of Jesus Christ, it is certainly the case that the waves of persecution that Satan has unleashed on the church have failed to bring her down. This the Pharisees interpreted too literally. They were good dispensationalists! But many of these words cannot be understood in a literal way. The true church of God is invincible; it is always used, blessed, and protected. All the world is against the church, but not only will they fail to overpower her, they will break themselves in the attempt. No philosophy can do anything but fail without the teaching of the word of God. History is a demonstration of generation after generation failing to overcome the church. In the last day all will gather against it, and may seem to prevail, but God will reverse their victory (Revelation 11:11).

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Zechariah 12:2 Commentary and Bible Study