And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”

Zechariah 13:2-9

And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested.  They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’” Zechariah 13:9

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 13:2-9, which the commentary outlines as the first of four divisions for the text 13:2-14:21 (13:2-9, 14:1-3, 14:4-9, 14:10-21).  Here, the commentary for the introduction to the entirety of the text 13:2-14:21 shares how the Old Testament provides 8x as many prophecies of end times as it does the birth and death of Jesus (first coming). It also shares how Biblical prophecies are provided to God's people to give us comfort, confidence, and hope for the future, as we know the victory over sin and death is already won.  The commentary for the 1st division - 13:2-9 - broadly describes a theme via a title Our Guaranteed Access to God.  The commentary then breaks down the text by describing how in vv2-4 during end times idols and false prophets will be destroyed.  It then describes how in vv7-8 the text prophecies not just end times, but also Christ's death on the cross and how the disciples and Jews were then scattered and finally the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.  As the commentary concludes for the text, it offers the following as application: "God’s promise to remove impurities and restore Israel’s access to Him has a powerful application for God’s people today. Like Israel, believers need to repent from following after empty and useless alternatives to God, idols that we create with our own hands and hearts. Like Israel, we must turn from false messengers who pretend to speak truth while peddling deception and lies. And, like Israel, we can count on God hearing and answering when we call on Him, because we belong to Him."

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me the comfort of knowing that You have already won victory over sin and death.  Thank You also for my salvation and for the Holy Spirit that You give me to guide me in daily activities.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You guide me and never leave or forsake me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.