Zechariah 13: An End to Idolatry

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Listen to this article here

Zechariah 13:1 starts with, “In that day…”

What day is the prophet referring to here? He is referring to what occurred in Zechariah 12 and what immediately follows those events. In Zechariah 12, Israel became a cup of trembling to the whole world. However, Israel also mourned over the One whom they had pierced – a reference to Christ’s death and physical return to this planet. The events of Zechariah 13 (and 14) follow His return.

Immediately, Zechariah notes that Israel will be cleansed following His return. This cleansing is likened to a flowing fountain and this fountain of forgiveness shall literally remain open to them. In other words, His forgiveness and grace is inexhaustible for those who come to Him in faith and repentance. This truth applies to all authentic Christians now as well. Our works cannot reform or cleanse us as we know.

Zechariah 13:2-6 speaks of God’s cleansing of Israel from idolatry and false prophets. Today, the world has a problem with all the false prophets and teachers that exist, teaching people all manner of lies. They speak their lies constantly and even when it turns out wrong, they do not repent. They constantly lead people astray and God takes this very seriously. God will deal with this problem with finality during the time leading up to the coming Millennial Kingdom after His physical return.

Zechariah the prophet tells us that God will:

• Destroy and remove all idols from the Land (Israel)
• Remove all false prophets from the Land as well
• Since the Lord will be physically present, there will be no need for any prophet at all
• Prophets will actually tell people that they are not prophets, but farmers (v5)
• People will ask, where did your wounds come from?
• The false prophets will lie and say they came from the house of friends
• False prophets were notorious for wounding themselves during “worship” of false gods (1 Kings 18)

Though it is sometimes assumed to be the case, Zechariah 13:5 is not a reference to the wounds Jesus received leading up to His crucifixion. The entire chapter here is dealing with false gods and false prophets and of course, Jesus was/is neither.

Both false idols and false prophets were the two things that caused Israel to go astray time and time again. It is what caused God’s Spirit to leave the Temple and to often turn Israel over to foreign nations for discipline and judgment.

Jesus will cleanse the Land of all idols and all false prophets upon His return. In fact, once He cleanses the Land of all the idols and false prophets, they will be remembered no more (v2). Any false prophets still alive will be too embarrassed to even try to claim they are prophets and will deny it (v6). What is most interesting here is even the false prophet’s own parents will disown him and bring him for execution (v3).

Zechariah 13:7-8 must refer to Jesus here because He quoted part of this referring to Himself in the Gospels. God allows 2/3 of the flock of Israel to be smitten and even perish during the coming Tribulation. The Lord will refine the surviving one-third in the fires of affliction (cf. Zechariah 3:2; Ezekiel 5:1-12). This 1/3 would be the final remnant that lives through the Tribulation and enters the Millennial Kingdom and will make up the nation of Israel then.

This surviving remnant then must include the 144,000 Israelite witnesses of Revelation 7:1-8; Revelation 14:1-5. The one-third will call on the Lord’s name in supplication for forgiveness (Zechariah 12:10). The Lord will respond to their cry by reaffirming His new covenant relationship with them, and they will agree to it (cf. Ezekiel 20:37). All of this will occur during the second portion of the coming Tribulation period of seven years.

Application for Believers Today:

Israel’s problems came from the fact that they often wandered from God, literally turning their backs on Him, to worship false gods (demons). While they often continued to observe the sacrificial system, their hearts were not in it. They simply went through the motions of worship to check things off. God saw their hearts, that they were far from Him. Because they had turned their backs on Him, He chose to turn His back (temporarily) on Israel in order to refine and purify those within Israel who were dedicated to Him.

Christian, are we guilty of the same thing? Do we go through the motions where God is concerned though our hearts are not in it and are actually far from Him?

Zechariah and other portions of Scripture teach us it is far better to obey than to sacrifice. Sacrifice without obedience to God’s will counts for nothing.

• 1 Samuel 15:22
• Hosea 6:6
• Micah 6:6–8
• Matthew 9:13
• Matthew 12:7

We are all polluted with sin, but the LORD removes our sin and labels us righteous, whether we feel righteous or not. We must learn to live righteously, showing mercy as He shows mercy to us, obeying His will for our lives, not living as though God wants us to simply be “happy” and find fulfillment in the things we want.

There is coming a day for all God’s children when a true fountain will well up within and flow out from us continually. While we might have bits and pieces of it here in this life, we can know from the Book of Zechariah that this will become our permanent nature after this life is over and we return with Him for the Millennial Kingdom He will set up.

He will sit on His father David’s throne in Jerusalem and rule the entire earth with righteousness and justice. Any problems will be immediately dealt with by His hand and inexorable and unending wisdom.

Zechariah outlines the future from his day. Some of it is still yet in our future but we can know that it will occur, as have so many things prophesied in Scripture have occurred.

Life is difficult for many and it appears that the welcome mat Christians have enjoyed on this earth is being pulled back. The result is growing persecution throughout the world. While this world will grow darker, we know that at some point, Jesus will physically return and bring with Him hope, justice, righteousness and perfection.

When compared with this life, that day cannot come soon enough. I hope you enjoyed this brief foray into the Book of Zechariah!

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Source: https://studygrowknowblog.com/2025/03/28/zechariah-13-an-end-to-idolatry/