Zec 13:7-9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Zech 13:7-9: 13:7-9 This message describes a coming day when God’s appointed shepherd of Israel would be struck down, and the sheep (the people of Israel) would be scattered. A portion of the nation would be given over to divine judgment, while part of the nation would experience spiritual renewal, fulfilling Zechariah’s vision of God once again among his people (see 1:16 ; 2:5 , 10-11 ; 8:3 , 23 ). The Gospel writers connect portions of this passage (13:7 ) to the scattering of Jesus’ disciples as a result of the events surrounding his arrest, trial, and execution by the Romans (see Matt 26:31 , 56 ). 13:7 The sword is personified as a warrior being called to awake in battle, heightening its image as God’s servant, an instrument of death (see Isa 31:8 ; 34:6 ; 66:16 ). • My shepherd signifies the Messiah, the coming leader of Israel (see Ezek 34:23 ; 37:24 ). • My partner conveys the equality of the shepherd with God (see Matt 26:31 ; Mark 14:27 ).

Summary for Zech 13:7-9: 13:7-9 ^a This message describes a coming day when God’s appointed shepherd of Israel would be struck down, and the sheep (the people of Israel) would be scattered. A portion of the nation would be given over to divine judgment, while part of the nation would experience spiritual renewal, fulfilling Zechariah’s vision of God once again among his people (see 1:16 ^b; 2:5 ^c, 10-11 ^d; 8:3 ^e, 23 ^f). The Gospel writers connect portions of this passage (13:7 ^g) to the scattering of Jesus’ disciples as a result of the events surrounding his arrest, trial, and execution by the Romans (see Matt 26:31 ^h, 56 ⁱ). 13:7 ^j The sword is personified as a warrior being called to awake in battle, heightening its image as God’s servant, an instrument of death (see Isa 31:8 ^k; 34:6 ^l; 66:16 ^m).

• My shepherd signifies the Messiah, the coming leader of Israel (see Ezek 34:23 ⁿ; 37:24 ^o).

• My partner conveys the equality of the shepherd with God (see Matt 26:31 ^p; Mark 14:27 ^q).
13:8 ^r Two-thirds ... one-third: The divine judgment would be catastrophic, but God would preserve a remnant and forgive their sin (see Isa 65:9 ^s; Jer 50:20 ^t; Ezek 5:2-12 ^u; Rev 9:15-18 ^v).
13:9 ^w Fire is a metaphor for God’s judgment (see Isa 66:15 ^x; Jer 4:4 ^y; Ezek 36:5 ^z; Amos 5:6 ^aa). God’s fire may either destroy the wicked or, as here, test and purify the righteous.

• refine them ... like gold: God is the divine metallurgist, using fire to burn the dross out of metal (Isa 1:25 ^ab; Mal 3:2-3 ^ac).

• These are my people ... The Lord is our God: The declarations of loyalty by God and Israel restore their broken covenant relationship (Zech 11:10 ^ad, 14 ^ae; see Exod 19:5 ^af; Jer 30:22 ^ag; 31:33 ^ah; Hos 2:23 ^ai).