Introduction

All nations will come against Jerusalem and the LORD will defend the city.

Verses
1A revelation, the LORD’s word concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him says:
2“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the surrounding peoples, and it will also be on Judah in the siege against Jerusalem.
3It will happen in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.
4In that day,” says the LORD, “I will strike every horse with terror, and his rider with madness; and I will open my eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.
5The chieftains of Judah will say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in the LORD of Armies their God.’
6In that day I will make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire amongst wood, and like a flaming torch amongst sheaves; and they will devour all the surrounding peoples, on the right hand and on the left; and Jerusalem will yet again dwell in their own place, even in Jerusalem.
7The LORD also will save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of David’s house and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem not be magnified above Judah.
8In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble amongst them at that day will be like David, and David’s house will be like God, like the LORD’s angel before them.
9It will happen in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10I will pour on David’s house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.
11In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
12The land will mourn, every family apart; the family of David’s house apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
13the family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of the Shimeites apart, and their wives apart;
14all the families who remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

Questions

1. What does the LORD say about the future of Jerusalem?

v 2 and 3 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the surrounding peoples, and it will also be on Judah in the siege against Jerusalem. It will happen in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.

2. What will the LORD do to those nations who come against Jerusalem?

v 9 It will happen in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

3. What will the LORD do for David's house?

v 10 I will pour on David’s house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.

Summary Points

  • v 1 to 9 All the nations will gather at Jerusalem to besiege the city. The LORD will defend the city and its people. He will seek to destroy the attacking nations
  • v 10 to 14 There will be a time of great mourning as the people recognise the one they pierced, the special person

Timeline 500 BC

Audio