Zechariah 12:1-5 says,...Bible reading week 39, day 5

Today's verses are Zechariah 12:1-5, which read,

v.1 - The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel.  Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,...

It is interesting that the word used here is "burden."  A burden is something you must carry but usually you don't want to.  It is a responsibility that you have taken on or it has been put upon you because of other's actions.  No matter which way it came about, you are in the position to carry this burden.  God has a burden concerning the people of Israel.  God who created the world.  The God who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundation of the earth, and created not only man but his spirit and breathed life into him.  God provided all this for man and there is a God carrying burden from creating what is created and also from the creation not following after His words and ways.

v.2 - ..."Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah."

The beauty of Jerusalem will call many in to participate in what is happening there.  Sin is beautiful or at least very attractive.  Sin invites others to join in.  Sin brings people from miles around to join up.  I can't help but think of Sodom and Gomorrah or of our Las Vegas with its tag line, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."  There is a judgment coming, a siege, and when it does it will stretch out to wherever sin has gone out to.  Sin will not be confined to a place but it resides within us.  So what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas because it comes home with you.  All sin is not portrayed as ugly and actually if a sin is ugly then Satan's ploy is to use it to diminish the "less ugly" sin you are thinking of participating in.  "Well it is not as bad as..."

v.3 - "It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured.  And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it."

Jerusalem also represents what is right.  Jerusalem also represents the remnant that in the face of sin has continued to follow after God.  There is a day of judgment when God will have the final battle with evil.  There will be a gathering of sin to try to eliminate God and His people.  An attempt to wipe out holiness will come upon the earth and especially upon the remnant, the church.  It is a deliberate attack and there will be injures for those who follow after God.  Jesus told us that we would suffer persecutions for following after Him just as He did for following after His Father's will.

v.4 - "In that day," declares the LORD, "I will strike every horse with bewilderment and his rider with madness.  But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness."

But God is going to act on that day.  God is going to intervene and take down the strongest armies, represented by those with horses and riders.  They will be stopped in their tracks with blindness.  When you attack, you rely on your eyes to see what you are attacking but that sense will be taken away and the enemy will be swinging aimlessly and looking ridiculous.  All dressed up with the battle gear but it is useless because they have lost their sight of the enemy.  They haven't spiritually seen or accepted God so why not take away their physical sight.  This display of God's power and protection will have an affect on others.  

v.5 - "Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, 'A strong support for us are the inhabitants of Jerusalem through the LORD of hosts, their God.'"

Some eyes will be open to God.  Some will see where the real power and pleasure are coming from.  True fulfillment is not in the sin that is so beautiful but the One who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth and formed the spirits of mankind.  Those who are the remnant, those who follow after God, have a heart for others as we see those around us as God sees them.  We are characterized by others as having a personal God that we follow after even in the midst of persecution.  We hold onto our God and some in the world notice in a positive way in the midst of the attack in a negative way.

This passage is projecting in the far future of the day of the Lord but I think some principles given here help us to live for God in our days.  When sin is beautiful and people are flocking, we need to keep our eyes on God's future plan given to us so we can continue to glorify Him in the present.  As we stay true, the affect will be some eyes open to see the God we love.  The old song says,

Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.

If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus and say, "He died for all."

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.

Don’t ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend;

And if you lack for knowledge, He’ll never refuse to lend.

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.

Let us pray.

"Lord, thank You that You are that balm in Gilead.  Thank You that in the midst of sin You have a plan that we can know and live in light of.  May our actions of glorifying You today be used by You for others to see who truly loves us and has provided the very world that live in and the ability to take that next breathe.  You are the One who has given us a spirit that lives forever and may our desire be that of King David, to be in the house of the Lord forever.  Amen."

Pastor Adam