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Exile & Return: Covenant broken, exile, prophets cry for restoration

Zechariah

Chapter 13

Cleansing and Removal of Idolatry

A fountain is opened to the house of David and Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness. The Lord will cut off the names of idols from the land and cause false prophets and unclean spirits to depart. Those who prophesy falsely will be put to death by their own parents. The good shepherd is smitten and the flock scattered, yet the Lord will refine a third part as silver and gold, bringing them through fire. These will call upon His name, and He will acknowledge them as His people.

Fountain for cleansingIdols removedFalse prophets judgedShepherd smittenRefined remnant

1In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

2And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

4And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:

5But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

6And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

8And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

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