Scripture Reading: Zechariah 13:1-9, 1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Peter 1:13-25
This is the last week of This Is the Old Testament! Next week, we’ll continue our thematic overview of the entire Bible with This Is The New Testament. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture.
The Book of Zechariah: This book is a record of the prophet Zechariah’s encouragement to the Jewish people to continue rebuilding the temple after it was destroyed. Zechariah also challenged his fellow Israelites to remain faithful to God, who promised them complete restoration when the Messiah brings the kingdom in full.
How Zechariah Fits Into the Story: The book of Zechariah is heavy with language of judgment, but it is also full of God’s promises. From beginning to end, the Bible tells the story of God’s redemptive plan, culminating in His triumph over evil through the cross of Jesus Christ. Zechariah’s prophecies anticipate this grand culmination of history, describing a coming glorious King, a God who triumphs over all, and a world with all wrongs corrected. These promises set the stage for God’s future kingdom, as evidenced by the quotes and allusions to Zechariah in the New Testament.
Reflection Questions:
1. From today’s reading, in what ways do you see God taking action to purify His people?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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30 thoughts on "Zechariah"
God purifies us today by obedience to the truth, Jesus the living water, and his word. God also wants us to be patient; I love the phrase, for a little while. Praise God for the hope of heaven, knowing that we will see him in a while.
Be blessed today!
Just as the people of Israel was promised a cleansing fountain – Jesus Christ – we are promised the same today.
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1 Peter 1:3-9
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Praise God! He has given us new birth into a living hope
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We have an inheritance kept for us – in heaven!
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We are shielded by God’s power!
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Trials come to prove the genuineness of our faith.
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Our faith has greater worth than gold!
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We haven’t seen Him, but we love Him
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We don’t see Him now, but we believe Him
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We are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy!
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The end result of our faith is the salvation of our souls!
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Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!
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This is us my friends – all of it. We have so much to be thankful for!
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Song that comes to mind: So Much by Life Church Worship. This is the chorus…
I’ve got
So much to be thankful for
So much to be thankful for
I’ve got
So much to be thankful for
So much to be thankful for
A thousand blessings, a million more
It’s so easy to praise You, Lord
I’ve got so much, so much to be thankful for
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@Margaret W – praying for wisdom and guidance as you make decisions, and complete recovery from knee surgery.
@Searching – prayers for your friends dad.
Continued prayers for your requests,
@Kimberly Z @Mari V @Melanie
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Thank you sisters for your prayers for my in-laws, Phyllis and Al. Have a blessed Thursday! ❤️
In Zechariah 13:5 it looks like the false prophets go back to being farmers. (Or at least say they are farmers.) Either way, if their hands are in the soil at all I would say there is a work of redemption going on there! I think when Jesus speaks in parables about planting good seed and removing weeds we can take it literally. It’s good for our body and our mind to care for a bit of ground. So many lessons there! So humbling and hard.
To answer question one in what ways did God take action to purify his people? God, the father gave the command to strike the Shepherd. On that day, when Jesus died and rose again, the fountain of his cleansing blood was opened to wash away our sin. And that fountain still remains open and flowing. God also. Cuts off the source of sin, in Zachariah. It was the idols and false prophets and unclean spirits.
Though you have not seen him..you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.
Amen
Summary in Wiersbe NKJV Study Bible:
“Isaiah had admonished the nation, ‘Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil’ (Is. 1:16), but they refused to listen. Jeremiah had pleaded with His people, ‘O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness that you may be saved’ (Jer. 4:14), but they wouldn’t obey. But here, in response to Israel’s repentance and faith, the Lord would wash them clean. This forgiveness is part of the new covenant that God had promised to His people (Jer. 31:31–34
Jeremiah 31:31-34 NLT
‘The day is coming,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel…’
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1 Peter 1:16,18-20
“…Be holy, because I am holy.”
For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you.
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SONG SHARE:
Shane & Shane: Holy, Holy, Holy (We Bow Before Thee)
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
yes, amen! love u Cee Gee.
Love you back with big hugs, Rhonda!!! ❤
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Thank you ladies for all of your prayers yesterday! We had a beautiful celebration of life for my brother’s passing yesterday, living in both the “mourning” of his passing and the “dancing” of fond memories of him. Also thank you for the encouragement for the Bible study tomorrow!
Rhonda – as I was praying for you, I was thinking how you are the glue that golds our group together. Your faithful posts and responses to us, starting the FB group, reaching out in private messages, constant encouragement to stay in the Word, follow the Lord, serve, etc. Your heart for Jesus shines so bright and I just know that, as challenging as tomorrow will be, you are up for the task! I am believing that those present will be greatly impacted by Christ’s light in you.
Thankful your family found blessung in the oaun yesterday. ❤
Adding a big DITTO to what yoy saud ti RHONDA J!!! ❤
where’s the crying face emoji when you needed…in this horribly challenging day, being protector of my sister and being with her as we go get her daughter in a “vase”…(Lord give us strength)…I feel it so overwhelming..to get beds ready for the guests..go to the church to set up some flowers and portraits…and fix our hair and clothes for tomorrow…as it is also Savannah’s birthday tomorrow. (insert another crying face). Your words are so nice and appreciated .
I’m so glad y’all get to celebrate your brother’s life. although it was so agonizing his long fight and battle, he is in his heavenly home.
“The term ” fountain” here speaks of a spring that brings forth fresh water. The community that has slain their God has received the spirit of grace and supplication (12:10),in order to mourn their actions and be ritually cleansed a symbol of God’s acceptance.”
NIV Application commentary.
” A key theme throughout biblical theology is that of a remnant, namely that from sinful humanity God forms a holy community. The gospel challenges the Western church’s penchant for the health and wealth gospel. In the New Testament account, when people devote their lives to Chrisythey are greeted with suffering more often than with success. We should not be surprised then,at suffering but rather embrace it as part of God’s purification of his remnant of his community.
NIV Application Commentary
The Lord wants to puriy us, to pursue holiness. He is our hope, our salvation and we are guarded by Him. But, we make the choice to turn away from evil, to set aside idols and to walk im faithful obedience no matter what comes our way. The Lords desire is for us to live a life forgiven and restored. What an awesome God we serve.
Blessings on your day. Praying for your requests.❤️✝️
❤ Any new word from your tests, Wendy?
Amen
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Amen!
God provides testing , removes corruption and refines his people.
God will open a fountain to purify His people. He will remove all the false idols and prophets and refine by fire His remnant.
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Today’s reading showed me that Gos will remove any obstacles in my path toward redemption and that will include times in the refiner’s fire. I need to trust Him in the process and say, “The Lord is our God.”
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TAMI – praying your family was able to celebrate your brother’s memory and the grieving process continues.
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RHONDA J – continued prayers for you and your family.
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MERCY, MARGARET W, SERCHING, SHARON JG, MARI V – ♥️ and prayers
Oh
Praying
Thank you Kelly:)
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Thank you Kelly.
The Lord tests and refines the faith of His people as they walk through challenges in this life. We aren’t promised ease in this life, but we are promised the presence of our God; One who is faithful to His promises and dedicated to the process of making us holy unto himself! Praise God that He never gives up on His people!
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Amen!
1 Peter 1:7 stood out to me..testing the genuineness of our faith. I want my faith to be real. We are changed into more Christlikeness when we are being refined
The Word
1 Peter 1 “Though you have not seen him you love him”. We love and want to know You more God! ❤️