The Refining Fire

Zech 13

Purification and Promise

Bible Passage: Zechariah 13

Summary: Zechariah 13 speaks of the coming purification of God’s people, the future hope of restoration, and the promise of a Shepherd who will be struck for the sins of the people.

Application: This passage can encourage Christians today by reminding them of God's commitment to purifying His people and the hope that comes from repentance and faith. It offers assurance that even in times of trial, God is at work refining and restoring us toward holiness.

Teaching: This sermon will teach the importance of spiritual purification and the role of suffering in our faith. It emphasizes that God uses trials to refine us like silver and gold, leading us into deeper relationship with Him.

How this passage could point to Christ: In Zechariah 13, we see the foreshadowing of Christ as the Shepherd who is struck and the ultimate act of redemption through His sacrifice. This points to the central narrative of the Gospel where Jesus heals and restores His people.

Big Idea: God's process of purification leads us to the promise of renewal through Christ’s sacrificial love.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider delving into the historical context of Zechariah's prophecies using your Logos library to understand the socio-political circumstances of Israel at that time. It may also be useful to explore the linguistic nuances of terms related to purification and how they correlate with New Testament themes of sanctification. Look for commentary on the significance of the 'stricken Shepherd' motif in 13:7, as it directly connects to Jesus' suffering.

1. Purifying the People

Zechariah 13:1-7

A. Presence of the fountain v.1

1 This fountain goes back to OT tabernacle where the priest would cleanse themselves before entering the holy place.

William Cowper based his hymn “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood” on this verse-His blood paid for man’s sin.

2. This fountain is open for the Jews.

3. God wants them pure-wants them cleansed-only internal cleansing at God’s fountain can be guaranteed.

4. God wants all of His people purified from their sin and be clean

2 Timothy 2:20–21 “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

B. Removal of idols v.2

1 When idols are removed they are out of sight and out of mind.

2. God reminds us He will not work in the presence of idols.

3. The purging of the land will assure a spiritual cleansing.

C. Removal of deception vv. 3-6

1. When there is personal cleansing, the land will also be cleansed.

2. The idols and false prophets will be removed from the land.

3. Deut 13 commands false prophets be killed because of their deception to the people.

4. They will claim to be farmers rather than prophets so they won’t be killed but when asked about the scars that they inflicted by worshiping false idols, they will lie and claim that their friends or family disciplined them.

5. The removal of wickedness leads to the true source of wisdom and truth.

2. Striking the Shepherd

Zechariah 13:7-9

A. Substitutionary shepherd

Jesus went to the cross suffering as our substitutionary sacrifice

Isaiah 53:3–6 KJV 1900

He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

2. He took our place and suffered for us on the cross.

3. The Jews have smittn their Shepherd on the cross and this act of rejection led to the nation being scattered. Israel is dispersed people and one day will be gathered; they are a defiled people, but one day they shall be cleansed.

B. Exclusive shepherd

Be Heroic 2. The Lord Will Cleanse Israel (Zech. 12:10–13:9)

Jesus quoted part of this prophecy when He was on His way to Gethsemane with His disciples (

It is suggested that this verse be a focal point to talk about the 'stricken Shepherd,' highlighting Christ’s sacrificial love as He is struck for our transgressions. This act of love is central to our purification and restoration.

3. Refining the nation

Zechariah 13:8-9

A, A remnant shall remain

God places value on His people in Israel-they are like gold and silver that need to be refined.

This has been their experience in Egypt Detu. 4:20 and in Babylon Isa. 48:20.

The fires of testing will purge out a remnant who are true believers and followers.

B. A remnant shall be refined

The goldsmith refines the gold or silver so that the dross may be removed-that’s what the Tribulation in the last days will aomplish for Israel.

One third of the people will be spared, the true believers, and the rest will die.

The Lord will acknowledge them as his own people Hosea 2:21–23 “And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord, I will hear the heavens, And they shall hear the earth; And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; And they shall hear Jezreel. And I will sow her unto me in the earth; And I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; And I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; And they shall say, Thou art my God.”

4. God remind us this refining process is the value God places on His people

1 Peter 1:7 KJV 1900

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

5. This process draws us closer to God, enhancing our faith an dependence on Christ.

Conclusion: The purging process mentioned here points to Tribulation Period where God is purging the world of sin.