Zechariah 12:6 Commentary and Bible Study

In that day, the day of the Messiah, the governors of Judah – those who lead the people of God, that is, the ministers, the pastors, the preachers – will be like a hearth [a caldron of fire] among the wood, or like a torch in a dry sheaf of corn. In both case the picture is of a fire surrounded by combustible material. The fire that goes out from them will set alight those around them, and consume them. Is this literal? No, it is a graphic language not literal prophecy, but it makes use of the language of city states, as the gospel goes out into the world beginning at Jerusalem. Governors will be not only humble leaders, but will also be ministers of the word. The fire here should be understood of the message which they preach. To some it will be the savour of death unto death, and to others the savour of life unto life. The gospel will go throughout the world, and there will be no stopping it. Fire speaks of the influence of the word of God in bringing conviction. Jerusalem will be inhabited again in her own place. We must resist the inclination to interpret this language which refers to her place as literal. The spiritual Jerusalem also has ‘a place’: it is a place in the purposes of God and in the fulfilment of prophecy.‘The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first.’ The ‘rank and file’ will be doing the work too, not just Jerusalem. In the New Testament church, God will deal with individual congregations. Every local church will be an evangelising place, not just Canterbury or Rome. The tents of Judah means the poor, those who don’t live in houses. These will be saved and given power first. God will call ‘not many mighty’. He will end the Old Testament hierarchy, there will be no high priests and Levites. In the New Testament all have access to the Lord; all will be blessed.