The Essential JesusSample

Future Clues

PRAY: Lord God, please let me hear your voice as I read and reflect on this passage today.

READ: Zechariah 12:1-13:9

REFLECT: How do Bible books like Zechariah, or any Old Testament prophets, relate to life today? After all, they describe ancient times that are completely unfamiliar to us. (Plus, they have weird names!)

The answer is simple: They show us what God is like. By reading how he reacted to particular situations in the past, we learn how he wants us to live today. In addition, prophetic books often contain clues or references to more significant events in the future.

That's what we find in our passage today. It describes a time when Jerusalem would be surrounded and outnumbered by her enemies (Zechariah 12:2-3); sadly, this situation has occurred often throughout history. But Israel will prevail, Zechariah says, not because of her power and might, but rather "because the LORD Almighty is their God" (v. 5). That's still true for us today; the ultimate source of our safety and success is not our strength and abilities. Instead, it's God's work on our behalf, which is why praise is appropriate and pride so outrageous.

Our passage also contains several "future clues" that make the prophetic books relevant. One is Zechariah's reference to "the one they have pierced" (v.10). In his Gospel account, John linked this verse to Jesus' death on the cross (John 19:36-37). It was the event that provided the cleansing from sin that Zechariah anticipated (Zechariah 13:1). Another "future clue" is found in the poem about the shepherd and the sheep (Zechariah 13:7-9), a familiar biblical theme, as we've seen. Jesus quoted this passage to predict how Peter and the rest of the disciples would desert him at his arrest (Matthew 26:31-35).

There's one other thing that makes the ancient prophetic books come alive today: they often quote God directly ("This is the word of the LORD," Zechariah 12:1). God spoke to the prophets, and they wrote it down (that's what an "oracle" is). When God speaks, we'd better listen.

APPLY: Is pride always bad? How could you avoid becoming proud in ways you shouldn't? How could you make praise for God a more significant part of your day?

PRAY: Dear God, thank you for being a God who has spoken in the past and continues to speak today. Help me to be a doer of your word and not a hearer only (James 1:22-25).

Discussion Questions for "Prophecies About a Savior"

1. How do you see the theme of prophecy portrayed in popular culture today?
2. What is your view of prophecy? How would you describe it in your own words?
3. Do you think people today make too much or too little of biblical prophecy? Why, and does it make a difference?
4. How can you be sure your understanding of prophecy is correct?
5. Do you think there is one correct interpretation of the Bible? How should you relate to people with a different understanding of the Bible than you?
6. For you, which of the prophecies in this section is the most significant proof that Jesus was the Messiah? Why?
7. Do you think there are any genuine prophets today–people who are forth-tellers or foretellers on behalf of God? Who are they, and why do you think so?

The Essential Jesus (Part 6): More Prophecies About a Savior

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