As you go about your daily life, you may encounter people who challenge your faith with hard questions or skepticism, echoing the theme of false prophets in Z’kharyah 13. Instead of shying away from these conversations, prepare yourself by learning to share your faith story effectively. Practice explaining how God has worked in your life. You can do this through a simple testimony; if someone asks you how you overcome trials or find hope in despair, share personal examples that illustrate God’s faithfulness and the transformative power of His love.
Cleansing from Sin
13 1 When that day comes, a spring will be opened up for the house of David and the people living in Yerushalayim to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
In your daily routine, be aware of times when you might fall short in kindness or empathy – moments that can lead to conflict or misunderstanding. Z’kharyah 13:1 inspires us to seek cleansing in our actions. Commit to practicing ‘random acts of kindness’ this week, whether it’s complimenting a coworker, holding the door open for a stranger, or offering to help someone in need. These gestures can reflect the redeeming love of Yeshua and encourage others to experience His cleansing grace.
When Yeshua returns and cleanses Isra’el from her defilement, He is also going to cleanse the nation from the deception of false prophets and their demonic religion.
2 “When that day comes,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “I will cut off the very names of the idols from the land, so that no one even remembers them any more. I will also expel the [false] prophets and the spirit of uncleanness from the land; 3 so that if anyone continues to prophesy, his own father and mother who brought him into the world will tell him, ‘You cannot continue to live, because you are speaking lies in the name of Adonai’; then his own father and mother who brought him into the world will stab him to death. 4 When that day comes, each one of the prophets will be shamed by his vision when he prophesies. He will stop wearing a hair cloak to deceive people; 5 and instead, he will say, ‘I’m no prophet, I just work the soil; since my youth I’ve only wanted to be an ordinary man.’ 6 If someone asks him, ‘Then what are these gashes between your shoulders?’ he will answer, ‘I got hurt at my friends’ house.’
These verses apparently describe the wrath that will come upon false prophets in the day of Isra’el’s restoration. If a man falsely poses as a prophet, his own parents will threaten him and stab him. Men will not lightly claim to be prophets if they are not truly sent by God, but will rather identify themselves as farmers, or whatever occupation they actually hold.
The Scattered Sheep
7 “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the young ones. 8 In time, throughout that land,” says Adonai, “two-thirds of those in it will be destroyed— they will die, but one-third will remain. 9 That third part I will bring through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined, I will test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people, and they will say, ‘Adonai is my God.’ ” [1]
The sword of the Lord’s judgment goes out against a shepherd, as in 11:17, but this time against the good shepherd. His death will result in the scattering of the flock and a time of great trial and testing for God’s people, during which many will be destroyed. Yet the result of that period of testing is the refining of the Lord’s people, culminating in the expression by the Lord and his people of their mutual commitment to one another.
In Zechariah 13, we see a call for purification and a promise of God’s protection. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the mistakes and burdens of your past, consider creating a ‘purification ritual’ in your own space. Set aside a time for prayer and reflection. Write down the things that weigh you down – these are your ‘false prophets’ that hinder your relationship with God. Then, take those papers and pray over them, asking God for forgiveness and a fresh start. Tear them up or burn them as a physical act of releasing those burdens to God.
In our next post, we will pick up where we left off by exploring Z’kharyah.
[1] Z’kharyah 13:1–9.
My Heart Is For Israel 