Cleansing of Sins

¹ “On that day (Day of the LORD) a Fountain will be opened for the dynasty (house) of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a Fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity (uncleanness). ² “And on that day,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies (Yahweh), “I will erase idol worship throughout the land, so that even the names of the idols will be forgotten. I will remove from the land both the false prophets and the spirit of impurity (evil spirits) that came with them…. ⁷ Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, the Man who is My Partner (Associate),” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike down the Shepherd, and the sheep (of the flock) will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs…. ⁹ I will bring that group (one-third) through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on My Name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” Zechariah 13:1-2, 7, 9, New Living Translation 2^nd Edition

Zechariah chapter 13 continues the living LORD God’s message. Many biblical scholars believe chapter 13 along with chapters 12 and 14 refer to the “Day of the LORD” at end of age when the Lord Jesus Christ returns from glory to establish His Kingdom on earth (e.g., see Zechariah 12:3-4, 6, 8-9, 11; Zechariah 13:1-2, 4; Zechariah 14:4, 6, 8-9, 13, 20-21).[1] The second coming (advent) of Christ is the coming of God once again to earth.[2] On this great Day, the living LORD God will bring His wrath and judgment to finally destroy all evil and establish His holy Kingdom on earth through a Spirit of judgment and a Spirit of fire (Zechariah 13:9; see also Isaiah 4:2-4; Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 3:17; Matthew 25:41). Even more, the living LORD God will cleanse and renew the earth with His goodness, holiness, and purity (e.g., see; Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-8).

On the great Day of the LORD, the prophet Zechariah sees a Fountain opening for the family of David and all the people of Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:1; see also Ezekiel 36:25). This Fountain of life-giving or living water will flow from the from the Throne of the living LORD God and His Son Jesus (Lamb) onto Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8-9; see also Psalm 36:9; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Revelation 22:1-2, 17). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus will thoroughly wash and cleanse the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (also called Zion) from ALL their sins, troubles, and evils (Zechariah 13:1; see also John 4:10, 14). God’s cleansing is widespread and includes leaders (represented by the dynasty of David) and all the people of Judah and Israel (signified by the people of Jerusalem) as well as the removal of false prophecies and their underlying evil spirits (see Zechariah 13:1-6).

The living LORD God has set Jerusalem in the spiritual center of the nations with countries all around Jerusalem (e.g., see Ezekiel 5:5). The Holy Scriptures are clear: the living LORD God has a glorious future for Jerusalem (e.g., see Isaiah 60:1-2; Jeremiah 29:10-14; Zechariah 8:15; Revelation 21:11). In the future Jerusalem will become a city without walls — bursting with many people and bursting with animals — and yet they will be safe (Zechariah 2:4; see also e.g., Isaiah 49:19; Jeremiah 31:23-28; Zechariah 14:10-11). The living LORD God Himself be a glorious wall of fire protecting the people and all Jerusalem (His Daughter and Bride), and He will live within and become the Glory of the city with His radiant Presence and everlasting Light (Zechariah 2:5, 10-11; see also Psalm 125:1-2; Isaiah 4:5-6; Isaiah 60:18-20; Revelation 21:1-4, 10-11, 22-26). In the Holy City, all God’s people – Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) will be righteous (good) and nothing impure, deceitful, and evil will ever enter into the city (see e.g., Isaiah 60:18-22; Galatians 5:19-21; Daniel 12:1-3; Revelation 21:1-8, 27; Revelation 22:14-16).

The Holy Scriptures are clear: the living LORD God and His Son Jesus are our Spring of Living Water and the Fountain with pure water that washes away and cleanses our hearts of all our sins, evils, sickness, and troubles and brings His healing, life, joy, restoration, and gladness (e.g., see Psalm 51:1-2, 7-8; Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 17:13-14; Isaiah 55:1; Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 10:22). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus, WHO IS ONE, brings satisfying LIFE, healing, and refreshment (e.g., see John 1:4; John 4:10; John 10:10, 30; John 14:6, 9; John 16:33; John 17:2-3, 20-22). Through faith and obedience, the living LORD God and His Son Jesus sprinkles and cleanses our souls and hearts from sins and brings His life-giving water (Presence) into our lives and hearts so we can be holy and blameless (e.g., see Isaiah 52:13-15; John 1:29; John 15:3; John 7:37-39; John 17:17; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 2:1-2).

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS! We can experience this cleansing now! Through faith and acceptance of the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit cleansing us from all our sins and gives us a new heart and a new spirit of obedience (e.g., see Isaiah 52:15; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:38-40; Ezekiel 36:25-28; Ezekiel 37:14; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 9:14). However, WE MUST DO OUR PART! The Holy Scriptures are also clear: we must REPENT and make ourselves clean by STOPPING our evil actions and wrongdoing (e.g., see Isaiah 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:11-14). The living LORD God calls ALL PEOPLE to live like citizens of heaven by DOING GOOD to others and SEEKING JUSTICE with defending the oppressed and taking up the cause of the fatherless, pleading the case of the widow and the helpless alien (e.g., see Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:6-8; Zechariah 3:6-10; Zechariah 7:8-10; Zechariah 8:15-17, 19; Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; James 1:26-27).

Even more, the living LORD of Heaven’s Armies[3] promises on the Day of the LORD to rid the land of ALL idol worship, so that even the names of the idols, heroes, stars, possessions, and other false gods will be forgotten (Zechariah 13:2; see also Micah 5:10-14; Jeremiah 10:11; Ezekiel 36:25).[4] In fact, the living LORD God promises to erase even the memory of these idols and other false gods from the earth (see Zechariah 13:2). In that great Day, ONLY the living LORD God will be worshipped, trusted, and sought for help and the idols and false gods will totally disappear (e.g., see Exodus 23:13; Joshua 22:5; Isaiah 2:17-18; Jeremiah 23:7; Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 6:26-27; Acts 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)! The living LORD God is GREAT and mighty in power, and ONLY He is the wise King that controls all the nations (e.g., see Psalm 10:16; Psalm 22:28; Psalm 47:8; Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 12:4-5; Jeremiah 10:6-7, 10, 12-13; Revelation 15:3).

Furthermore, the living LORD God promises to remove and erase from Israel and Jerusalem of ALL lying, unclean, and evil spirits such as false prophets, psychics, witches, sorcery, and fortune-tellers who pollute the lives of people (Zechariah 13:2; see also Jeremiah 23:12, 14-15, 19-20; Ezekiel 36:25, 29; Zechariah 10:2-3).[5] These unclean and greedy spirits speak lies, false hopes, and deception in the Name of the LORD, and they lead people astray into evildoing, adultery, corrupt actions, trickery, and disobedience against the living LORD God Almighty and His moral commands with their diseased words (Zechariah 13:2; e.g., see Jeremiah 14:14-16; Jeremiah 23:10-11, 13-14, 16-17, 21-22, 25-26, 30-32, 36; Jeremiah 28:15-17). These false and evil workers deny justice, and they love evil (e.g., see Micah 3:1-2). Even more, Zechariah predicts in the future that if anyone begins false and lying prophecy again, his own father and mother will obey the living LORD God’s command and STOP that swindling prophet from prophesying lies in the LORD’s Name (Zechariah 13:3; see also Deuteronomy 13:1-11; Deuteronomy 18:20; Jeremiah 23:34; Ezekiel 14:9).[6]

In fact, on the Day of the LORD, Zechariah predicts lying prophets, spiritualists, and psychics will be publicly exposed, humiliated, and then destroyed by the living LORD God (Zechariah 13:4; see also Jeremiah 6:13-15; Jeremiah 8:8-9; Micah 3:4, 7). Moreover, Zechariah foresees that no one will even boast about his or her prophetic gift nor wear prophet’s clothes – a hairy mantle, garment, or cloak (Zechariah 13:4; see also 1 Kings 19:13, 19; 1 Kings 1:8; 2 Kings 2:8). On that Day, every prophet will no longer tell lies and deceptions (see Zechariah 13:4). Instead, these unclean and false spirits will even deny they have been prophesying lies and claim another profession (see Zechariah 13:5-6).

Then, Zechariah’s prophetic message shifts to the Lord Jesus Christ – the Son and Anointed One of God. The living LORD God of heaven came to earth in His Son Jesus Christ (Messiah) as a Servant, Shepherd, and sacrificial Lamb to save, love, and care for the sheep – humans (e.g., see also Isaiah 40:3-5, 9-11; Mark 1:1; John 8:28-30, 42; John 10:11; John 16:27-28, 30; John 17:3, 8, 21, 23, 25; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:22-25). Truly, Jesus Christ is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls (see John 10:11, 14; Hebrews 13:20).

The living LORD God was pleased to have ALL His fullness dwell in His Son Jesus to reconcile all things to Him (e.g., see John 10:30; Colossians 1:19-20). Through His Old Testament prophet Zechariah, the living LORD God declared that His Shepherd Jesus is His fellow Associate, Companion, and Equal, who stands next to Him (Zechariah 13:7; see also Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 26:63-64; Mark 14:61-62; Mark 16:19; Luke 20:42; Luke 22:68-69; John 10:30; Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). From a human standpoint, the Lord Jesus is the Anointed and Righteous Savior from the family of David that came as the promised King and Ruler to rule and shepherd the people as King (e.g., see Psalm 2:2; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Micah 5:2, 4; Matthew 1:1; Matthew 2:2). From a divine standpoint, the Lord Jesus is the Son of the living God and the Messiah (Christ) (e.g., see Matthew 16:16; Mark 1:1; John 20:30-31; Acts 9:20, 22; Acts 18:28).

HERE IS MORE GOOD NEWS! The living LORD God LOVED THE WORLD that He sent His Son, Jesus to save the world (see John 3:16-17; John 4:34; John 16:27-28; 1 John 4:9-10, 19)! The Old Testament prophets predicted the living LORD God would call for the sword against His holy and sinless Shepherd that smitten and afflicted Him with pain and suffering for sake of the world’s sins (Zechariah 13:7; see also Isaiah 53:3-4; Luke 24:26-27; 1 Peter 1:11; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 4:1, 13). This sword would pierce, crush, and kill the Shepherd of God (e.g., see Isaiah 53:5, 7-9). With the striking of the Shepherd, the living LORD God announced that the sheep of the flock will scatter and flee (see Zechariah 13:7). However, EVERYONE through faith in the Shepherd’s pain and suffering would receive peace, forgiveness, and healing from the living LORD God because the living LORD God laid on His Shepherd our sins, guilty, and shame (e.g., see Isaiah 53:5-6, 10-12). Truly, the Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep (e.g., see John 10:11). However, the Lord Jesus bore our sins and shame in His body on Calvary’s Cross so we might REPENT and die to sins and live for righteousness (goodness) (e.g., see Isaiah 53:4, 11; Matthew 26:28; Acts 3:18-20; Romans 6:10-14; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 4:1-2). The living LORD God LOVED THE WORLD that He sent His Son Jesus into this broken world to transform our lives and hearts from the inside out by the power of the Holy Spirit through FAITH in His Son Jesus (e.g., Romans 1:3-4, 16-17; Romans 5:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 3:20).

The New Testament fulfillment of Zechariah and the other Old Testament prophecies came when the Lord Jesus was arrested and later crucified on the Cross for our sins.[7] The Lord Jesus Christ specifically accepted Zechariah’s prophecy before His sacrificial death for the sins of the world when He informed Peter and the others that they would stumble in their faith on account of Him and scatter away from Him as their Shepherd (see Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-34; John 16:32; 1 Peter 2:8).[8] Sadly, Jesus’ disciples shattered from Him at His unjust arrest by Rome and the Jewish religious leaders (e.g., see Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:49-50). Jesus knew He would NEVER be alone because His Father the living LORD God would ALWAYS be with Him (e.g., see John 16:32).

Verse seven of Zechariah 13 is subject to two different interpretations. Some biblical translations say that after Jesus was struck down and the sheep scattered, the living LORD God promised He will come back and comfort and care for the lambs (e.g., see Zechariah 13:7, The Living Bible Translation; Luke 12:32). However, other biblical translations translate the end of verse seven that once the sheep scattered the living LORD God turned the back of His hand against the sheep that turned away from His Shepherd – Jesus Christ (e.g., see Zechariah 13:7, King James Version). Despite the differing interpretations of verse 7, the Holy Scriptures clearly warns that those that stumble and fall away from Jesus the Shepherd will receive a severe punishment. The prophet Zechariah predicted that two-thirds of the people throughout the earth will be devastated and perish because of their rejection of the Good Shepherd, Jesus (see Zechariah 13:8).[9]

The Holy Scriptures speaks of the living LORD God allowing harmful and evil spirits to deceive, terrorize, and torment people because of their many wickedness, depravity, disobedience, and chronic sins towards the living LORD God and His moral commands (e.g., Numbers 22:22, 31-32; Judges 9:22-24; 1 Samuel 16:14-16, 23; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). The living LORD God uses these tormenting spirits as His instruments of to lead people to regret, repentance, and redemption (e.g., see 1 Corinthians 5:5). Even more, sometimes the living LORD God allows a tormenting spirit to keep His servants humble or during periods of testing (e.g., Job 1:6-2:7; 2 Corinthians 12-7-10). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus have power over the spirit world (e.g., see 1 Kings 22:19-23; Luke 22:31-32; Ephesians 6:12). The Lord Jesus instructed His disciples to pray that His Father, the living LORD God, will lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (e.g., Matthew 6:13). The living LORD God forms the light and create darkness and bring prosperity and create disaster as He can do all these things (e.g., see Isaiah 45:7).  

In the past, Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem defiled themselves and their land by their evil conduct, bad actions, oppression, violence, and injustice (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 34:21, 24-25; Isaiah 1:21; Isaiah 5:7; Ezekiel 5:6-7; Ezekiel 36:16-17). The people of Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem – from the kings, priests, prophets, and the ordinary people – engaged in all kinds of wickedness and evil including sexual sins, greed, murder, jealousy, profanity, lies, bribery, thief, witchcraft, idol worship, as well as mistreatment of orphans, foreigners, and widows (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:7-23; Psalm 106:34-39; Isaiah 1:21-23; Jeremiah 2:7; Jeremiah 3:9; Jeremiah 7:30-31; Jeremiah 16:18; Ezekiel 36:18; Daniel 9:4-6, 10-11). Because of their evil deeds and disobedience, the living LORD God poured out His punishment and wrath on the land and people of Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem, and He dispersed and scattered them amongst the nations (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:26-29; Jeremiah 33:5; Lamentations 1:1-6; Ezekiel 5:8-17; Ezekiel 36:18-19; Daniel 9:7; Amos 9:8-10).

HERE IS EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS! The living LORD God promised that one-third of all people will remain faithful to Him and His Son Jesus (see Zechariah 13:8). This faithful one-third is what many commentaries call “the remnant” (Zechariah 13:8; see also Isaiah 6:13; Ezra 9:13-15; Ezekiel 11:16-18; Daniel 9:8; Romans 11:5). However, the living LORD God promised He would deliver the one-third that remained through the refinery fire and then test them for purity, as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire (Zechariah 13:9; e.g., see Psalm 66:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 6-7). The living LORD God is a consuming and purifying fire (e.g., see Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 9:3; Daniel 7:10; Hebrews 12:29). The living LORD God promised that He would change His faithful remnant’s hearts from the inside out by placing a new spirit and heart within His people that leads to obedience to Him and goodness towards others (e.g., see Ezekiel 11:18-20; Ezekiel 36:25-29, 33; Ezekiel 37:12-14). Then, His people will become restored blessings and favor with abundance and no longer a disgrace amongst the nations (e.g., see Isaiah 27:6; Ezekiel 36:9-12, 15, 30-38; Ezekiel 47:12).

The Holy Scriptures are clear: God’s faithful people do experience times of pain, suffering, persecution, burdens, testing, and hardships (e.g., see Job 1:6-2:13; John 15:2; Romans 5:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:10-12; James 1:2-4). During these times of adversity and troubles, the sovereign LORD God Almighty promised to preserve and keep His people safe, and eventually He would bless and restore them into health and abundance if they obeyed His commands and kept faith (complete trust and confidence) in Him (e.g., see Exodus 15:25-26; Job 42:7-17; Psalm 66:8-12, 17-20; Jeremiah 17:5-10; Hebrews 11:1-2, 6). Weeping, testing, and soreness are ONLY TEMPORARY because the living LORD God promised His rescue, healing, and blessing as His grace lasts a lifetime as we seek Him (e.g., see Psalm 30:1-5, 8-12; Matthew 5:10-12). Therefore

Even more amazing, the Old Testament prophets predicted the Lord Jesus Christ, who was filled with the living LORD God, will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap (e.g., see Isaiah 4:4; Malachi 3:1-5). The New Testament revealed that Jesus removes our corruptions and exploitations through the Holy Spirit and perfect our lives like gold and silver so that we can live in righteousness – goodness, virtuous, and moral for God’s glory (e.g., see; Matthew 3:10-12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:15-17; Acts 2:3-4; Hebrews 12:10-11; 1 Peter 1:14-16, 22; 1 Peter 4:12-19). The glory of God is His Spirit (see 1 Peter 4:14). The living LORD God’s testing is meant to cleanse and purify His faithful people so that we will always wholeheartedly WORSHIP, TRUST, and OBEY Him as the One worthy of respect, adoration, and service (e.g., see Isaiah 48:10-12). The Lord Jesus Christ promised BLESSINGS on everyone who does not reject and fall away from Him during times of persecution, suffering, and troubles but continued to trust in Him (e.g., see Matthew 11:6; Matthew 13:18-23; John 16:33; Hebrews 10:32-34). 

For the faithful, the living LORD God requests the one-third remnant to call upon His Name in the day of trouble (Zechariah 13:9; see also Psalm 50:15; Psalm 81:7; Psalm 107:6-7; Zechariah 10:6). The living LORD God promises He will hear and answer the prayers of His faithful and obedient people that pursue goodness and truth (Zechariah 13:9; see also Psalm 34:15-20; Isaiah 58:9-11; Ezekiel 11:17-20).[10] The LORD is forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to Him in faith and obedience (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:5-7; Jonah 4:2). Even more, the living LORD God promises to call the faithful one-third remnant His people, and they will call, “The LORD is our God” (Zechariah 13:9; see also Jeremiah 29:11-13; Hosea 2:23). Finally, the living LORD God will have a people that acknowledge and worship Him and His Son Jesus as LORD!

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Message Bible (Colorado Springs, CO:  NavPress, 2002).

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Boice, James Montgomery. The Minor Prophets: Volume 2 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006).

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[1] The “Day of the LORD” frequently occurs throughout the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament writers (e.g., see Isaiah 13:6, 9; Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 13:5; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1, 11, 31; Joel 3:14; Amos 5:18-20; Obadiah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:7, 14; Malachi 4:5; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6, 10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10).

[2] The living LORD God of heaven has come down to earth on multiple occasions (e.g., see Genesis 11:5, 7; Genesis 18:20-21; Exodus 3:8; Exodus 19:11, 18, 20; Psalm 18:9; Psalm 144:5; Matthew 1:23;  Matthew 17:4-5; John 1:1-5, 14; Acts 7:34). HERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS: God is ALWAYS with us through faith in His Son Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 28:20).

[3] In the Holy Scriptures, the living LORD God is also called the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the LORD of Hosts, the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, LORD All-Powerful, the LORD Almighty, or King (e.g., see 1 Samuel 1:3; Jeremiah 48:15; Jeremiah 50:34). The living LORD God controls angelic beings, human armies, the forces of nature such as fire, hail, and wind, the sun, moon, stars, and occasionally Israel. These heavenly forces are the living LORD God’s agents He uses to protect and defend His people and maintain the universe (e.g., see Joshua 5:13-15; Joshua 10:9-15; 2 Kings 6:17). The living LORD God Almighty is the sovereign Ruler of all, and He controls and maintains all the powers of the heavens and earth (e.g., see 1 Kings 22:19;  Psalm 97:1; Psalm 99:1; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 5:24; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 19:6).

[4] Idol can be alcohol, food, busy work, shopping etc. Essentially, an idol is anything or anyone we look to for comfort, hope, and help other than the living LORD God.

[5] False prophecy has been a problem for God’s people throughout human history and will be in the future until eliminated by the living LORD God at the second coming of Christ (e.g., see Nehemiah 6:12-14; Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 23-24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4, 9; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1-3; Revelation 20:7-10).

[6] Yahweh is the eternal Name of the living LORD God for all generations (see Exodus 3:15). In the Holy Scriptures, Yahweh is a translation of the Hebrew letters YHWH that is traditionally translated as the LORD and is sometimes rendered Jehovah.  The living and sovereign LORD God Almighty is known as Yahweh, and He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

[7] The Lord Jesus is the true and reliable Prophet, whose life and suffering fulfill all Old Testament prophecies (e.g., see 1 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Peter 1:19).

[8] Many biblical commentaries believe Zechariah’s prophecies were on the minds of the Gospel writers as they quote from Zechariah’s prophecies and apply these prophecies to Jesus (e.g., see Zechariah 9:9-10 is quoted in Matthew 21:5; Zechariah 12:10 is quoted in John 19:37; and Zechariah 11:12-13 is quoted at Matthew 27:9).

[9] Some biblical scholars have argued that the two-third scattering of the Jews has already been fulfilled. Probably as many as two-thirds of the Jews living in Palestine perished at the time of the Roman victory in AD 70 when Jerusalem and Masada were overthrown, and further Jewish destruction occurred with the Bar Cochba revolt a generation later. During the Middle Ages, there were intense purges against the Jews. Later, evil Hitler exterminated six million Jews during World War II.

[10] Unanswered prayer may indicate we are unfaithful and need discipline and refining by the living LORD God. The living LORD God is good, merciful, and always faithful, and He hears the prayers of those who repent of their sins and wholeheartedly turns to Him (e.g., see Exodus 34:5-7; Psalm 50:16-20; Daniel 9:7, 9; 1 John 1:9).