“Awake, 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.
And 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.
And 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.”
—Zechariah 13:7–9
The Striking of the Shepherd
The prophecy begins with one of the most sobering announcements in Scripture: “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd.” This is not merely a reference to any earthly leader of Israel, but to Christ Himself, the Shepherd whom the Father appointed. Jesus confirmed this prophecy when He said to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “It is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad” (Matthew 26:31).
The cross was no accident of history. The “sword” that struck the Shepherd was the Father’s sovereign plan for redemption. Christ, the Shepherd, willingly laid down His life for the sheep. Yet, in His striking, the flock was scattered—a picture of the disciples’ fear and Israel’s rejection of Him.
The Scattering and the Remnant
God foretells that “two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.” This speaks to a national judgment upon Israel. Throughout history, Israel has known seasons of devastation—captivity, dispersion, persecution. But the prophecy also looks forward, beyond past events, to the great tribulation still to come, when the nation will again face unparalleled trial.
Yet, even in wrath, God remembers mercy. Though two-thirds perish, a third is preserved. This remnant is not spared by chance but by divine design. God always keeps for Himself a people, a faithful remnant through whom His covenant purposes endure.
The Refining of the Remnant
God does not merely preserve this remnant; He purifies them. “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.”
Refining is never comfortable. Silver and gold are placed into the furnace until the impurities rise to the surface and the metal is made pure. Likewise, the Lord allows His people to pass through trials, suffering, and testing so that faith might be purified. For Israel, this refining will culminate in the end-time tribulation, when the nation will at last look upon the One they pierced and call upon Him in truth.
But this principle applies to us individually as well. God refines His children through trials. Peter echoed this when he wrote, “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
The Covenant Restored
The fruit of this refining is covenant restoration. “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.”
This is the language of reconciliation, the healing of a broken relationship. Israel, long estranged from her Messiah, will one day cry out to Him in repentance and faith. And the Lord will answer with covenant love: “It is my people.”
For the church, this points to the assurance of God’s faithfulness. Every fiery trial has a purpose—not to destroy, but to refine us so that we may more fully walk in fellowship with Him. God is not only purifying His people, but He is preparing us to see Him face to face.
Living with Eternal Perspective
This passage challenges us to look at trials differently. Instead of seeing them as abandonment, we are to see them as the fire of refinement. God’s people will face scattering, hardship, and testing—but none of these are the end of the story.
The Shepherd was struck, but He rose again. The sheep were scattered, but He regathered them. The remnant will endure the fire, but they will emerge purified and restored. The end of the refining process is not despair—it is a people who know their God and a God who claims His people forever.
Final Encouragement
If you are walking through the fire today, take courage. The same God who allows the refining flame has promised to bring you through it. He does not refine to destroy but to purify. And when the process is complete, you will shine with His likeness.
When the Shepherd calls you His own, you can respond with confidence: “The LORD is my God.”