TOTC Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi by Andrew E. Hill

Author:Andrew E. Hill
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: More Translations, Commentaries, Judaism, Reference, Encyclopedias & Subject Guides, Old Testament, Criticism & Interpretation, Bible Study, Bible Study & Reference, Old Testament Study, Religion, Sacred Writings, Bibles, Religious Studies & Reference, Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), Religion & Spirituality, Christian Books & Bibles
ISBN: 9781783592678
Publisher: IVP
Published: 2012-07-19T22:00:00+00:00

B. Second oracle (12 – 14)

Zechariah’s second oracle may be outlined in five sections: the future deliverance of Jerusalem (12:1–9); a spirit of grace poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem (12:10–14); a fountain for cleansing Israel’s sin (13:1–6); the scattering of the sheep (13:7–9); and the Lord will rule the earth (14:1–21). The theme of the opposition of the nations against Jerusalem binds the four messages of the oracle together, as the nations are gathered against Jerusalem at the beginning (12:1–9) and the end of the prophet’s last sermon (14:1–15). The apocalyptic tone of the oracle is set by the repetition of the phrase on that day, a prophetic shorthand for the eschatological Day of the Lord (12:3, 4, 6, 8, 11; 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 20, 21).

The second oracle offers a mixed picture of divine judgment and blessing, with portents of both destruction and deliverance determined for Jerusalem. The theological focal point of the second oracle is the purification of the people of Israel from their sin (13:1). The second oracle (and the book of Zechariah) culminates with the inauguration of the universal kingdom of the Lord Almighty (14:16–21).

i. Future deliverance of Jerusalem (12:1–14)

Context

The first chapter of Zechariah’s final oracle has two sections: the assault of the nations against Jerusalem (vv. 1–9), and the repentance of Israel (vv. 10–14). The outward victory of Israel over the aggressor nations is complemented by the inward spiritual renewal of the penitent people – and both are accomplished by God.105 The deliverance of Jerusalem (v. 9) bridges the opening section of the second oracle with the visions and earlier messages of Zechariah (especially 2:1–5 and ch. 8). The outpouring of the spirit of grace (v. 10) leading to repentance connects the unit with the prophet’s call to repentance inveighed in the prelude (1:1–6). Zechariah’s return to the theme of the spiritual renewal of God’s people helps to join the two oracles (chs. 9 – 14) with the larger Hag-Zech-Mal corpus.

a. God defends Judah and Jerusalem (vv. 1–9)

Comment

12:1. An oracle (see commentary on 9:1, pp. 204–205). Like the first oracle (9:1), the messenger formula (the word of the LORD) introduces the second oracle and adds the imprint of divine authority to the message. The first oracle (9:1) is delivered against the nations neighbouring Israel, while the second oracle is a message concerning Israel (12:1). The opening verse contains a three-line hymn-like doxology praising God as Creator (v. 1).106

Three specific spheres of God’s creative activity are itemized: ‘the heavens’, ‘the earth’ and ‘the human spirit’ (NRSV). The use of a participial form of the verb for each of these divine epithets emphasizes the ongoing or perpetual nature of God’s creative activity. The first two domains of God’s creative power have parallels in Psalm 104 and the book of Isaiah, where we learn that God alone stretches out the heavens like a tent (Ps. 104:2; Isa. 42:5; 44:24) and that he set the earth on its foundations (Ps. 104:5; Isa. 51:13).

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