Zechariah 14:16-21

In Zechariah 14:12-15, we saw Christ defeat and destroy the armies gathered around Jerusalem. Now, in this final section, we see the kingdom Christ establishes on earth.

This passage is divided into two sections. The first describes God’s command for a global celebration of the Festival of Shelters (also called the Feast of Booths or Sukkot).

The second describes the high level of ritual purity in Israel as a result of the Messiah reigning in their midst.

16 Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of Armies, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters. 17 Should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Armies, rain will not fall on them. 18 And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter, then rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague the Lord inflicts on the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Shelters. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Shelters.

20 On that day, the words Holy to the Lord will be on the bells of the horses. The pots in the house of the Lord will be like the sprinkling basins before the altar. 21 Every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the Lord of Armies. All who sacrifice will come and use the pots to cook in. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Armies. -- Zechariah 14:16-21 (CSB)

When Christ establishes His kingdom on earth, many things will change, but many things will remain. There will still be Gentile nations, people will travel, cook, and eat, and weather will continue. Verse 17 makes it clear that even sin will still exist.

But one key difference is this: the Lord of Armies, Jesus Christ, will be the only King.

The first section teaches that Christ will reign from Jerusalem, and the whole world must celebrate His rule. The chosen feast is the Festival of Shelters, which commemorates God’s physical presence on earth. This was true in the time of Moses, David, and Josiah, and it will be true again when Christ reigns.

Peter understood this connection. In Mark 9, during the transfiguration, he asked to set up “three shelters, one for you [Jesus], one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He expected Zechariah 14 to be fulfilled immediately and sought to prepare for the Festival of Shelters.

This festival will be a time of joy, filled with fellowship and worship of Jesus Christ. But some nations will refuse to honor Christ. Verse 18 warns that any nation that does not attend will be punished with a plague of drought. Sin will still be present, but its consequences will be swift and just.

Finally, our second section closes out the entire book of Zechariah, emphasizing the ritual purity of Israel.

Why is ritual purity needed?

Ritual purity laws teach God’s people how to respect His physical presence. When Moses approached the burning bush, he had to remove his sandals because he stood on holy ground. Likewise, when Christ lives on earth in His kingdom, His physical presence will bring a higher level of ritual purity in Israel than ever before.

Currently, ritual purity is not required by God because He is present spiritually in the church and individual believers, not physically on earth. But this is temporary. When He returns, ritual purity will pervade Israel.

How pure will Israel become?

1. Everyday objects will be holy. According to verse 20a, horses will have bells on them inscribed with the words “Holy to the Lord.” This phrase was previously reserved for the gold plate of the high priest’s turban (Exodus 28:36). Animals will be set apart to God in the same way that the High Priest alone used to be.
2. Temple utensils will be equally holy. In verse 20b, the cooking pots of the Temple will be as holy as the water basins outside the Temple, by the altar. In the Law of Moses, we see varying degrees of holiness based on proximity to God’s presence. In Christ’s kingdom, all Temple items are equally holy.
3. Common household items will be holy. In verse 21a, cooking pots in Israel’s homes will be so sanctified that they can also be used in the Temple to make sacrifices. The distinction between that which is “holy,” i.e., set apart for God, and “common” will disappear because God’s holiness will be everywhere.

But Canaanites won’t be in the house of the Lord, as verse 21b states. Since Genesis 15, God has decreed judgment on the Canaanites due to their deep corruption. While Saul, David, Solomon, and later kings failed to do this, Jesus fulfills the command.

Jesus perfectly fulfills the law of Moses. In Matthew 5:18, Jesus said, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.” In His kingdom, He continues to uphold God’s Law for His glory and the good of both Jews and Gentiles.

Pastor David