Zechariah 13
SIBZechariah 13:2-6
Such shall be the zeal for extirpating idolatry and false teachers, that many of these, ashamed of their impostures, shall lay aside the pretences and habit of prophets, and shall apply themselves to common labours; and shall pretend that the marks of idols in their hands, or the corrections which they have received for their attempting to deceive, were obtained by some other means, and for some other miscarriages
Zechariah 13:7-9
The tremendous sufferings of the Messiah, God in human nature, the chief Shepherd and Governor of the church, while his disciples are scattered from him, shall quickly issue in marvellous favours to them, and other Jews of the poorer sort: for though, in their destruction by the Romans, the far greater part shall, on account of their obstinacy in rejecting him, be utterly destroyed or reduced to misery, yet a remnant in that age, and especially in the millennial period, shall, through much tribulation, be turned to, claimed by, and openly avow, the promised Messiah
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIII.—Full forgiveness and reformation are closely connected with true faith and gospel repentance. Nor is any guilt or stain so deep, but Jesus, freely offered in the gospel, by his blood, his Spirit, and work, can effectually wash it out. Yea, nothing more effectually dislodges idols, devils, and impostors, than the plain and powerful exhibition and application of a crucified Christ, as made of God unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.—Thrice happy is it when all ranks, in their respective callings, concur to promote reformation, and to extirpate false worship and delusion; and when regular censures and punishments make false teachers sensible and ashamed of their sin, and return to their duty. But how infinitely glorious is our Redeemer! Tremendous were the sufferings which he endured from his Father’s just vengeance for our sin. And his death effectually issues in mercy, even to his deserters, betrayers, and murderers. By the most fearful calamities God often promotes the purification and happiness of his chosen people, and the establishment of his gospel and church in the world. And it is God’s apprehending of us by his grace that makes us apprehend him by faith and seek him by fervent prayer