6 “In that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again dwell on their own sites in Jerusalem. 7 The Lord also will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem will not be magnified above Judah.
8 In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them. 9 And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:6-9 (NASB)
Jerusalem’s firepower
As we saw yesterday, Judah (representing Israel) will be a mighty foe with tremendous firepower. A firepot was used to light fires. You can imagine what a flaming torch will do among dried wheat. This firepower will be used to “destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem”.
Why? Because they are coming against God and His perfect plan, against His righteous way, opposing Him. He will not permit that to happen. In that day, He will say, “Enough”!
The source of this firepower will not be Israel’s tremendous technological capabilities – though they may be significant. It won’t be stealth fighters. It will be God. Imagine the power necessary to heal a leper, to raise the dead, to calm a storm, to split a sea…to create the universe! THAT is their firepower!
Jerusalem protected
The people of Jerusalem, of David, of Judah (i.e., Jews in the area), will be protected. As it is described, this protection will occur while God is wielding His might against the opposing nations. In the midst of the battle, God is protecting Judah.
Jesus is the firepower
What is so cool here is verse 8. Some commentators, like Dr. Thomas L. Constable say, “The Davidic rulers will also receive supernatural strength and will be “like God,” as “the angel of the LORD” who was going ‘before (in front of) them’”.
However, as I read it, I see a clear pointer to Jesus. The “house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them”. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, of the lineage of David. He is God, The Angel of God, who went before Israel in the Exodus. Let us worship Him! Jesus is Jerusalem’s firepower!
