The mourning

“On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be great, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo” (v 11). (1) “On that day” (the day of the battle of Armageddon), the mourning in Jerusalem will reach its climax (ref. v 10). (2) “Like the mourning for Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo” refers to the mourning over the death of the good king Josiah, who was killed in battle near Megiddo (2 Chr. 35:22-25). “The land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself and their wives by themselves…” (v 12-14). (1) The names of the clans are listed. The clan of the house of David mourns by itself, and their wives mourn by themselves. The same is true of the house of Nathan. The house of Nathan was the smallest branch of the royal family. The reason it is specifically mentioned is to show that repentance extends throughout the entire royal family, from the highest to the lowest (ref. 2 Sam. 5:14; Luke 3:31). (2) Next, the clan of the house of Levi mourns by itself, and their wives mourn by themselves. The clan of the Shimeites does likewise. Shimei was a son of Gershon, the son of Levi (Num. 3:17-18, 21), and his clan was the smallest among the priestly families. Here again, it is shown that repentance extends throughout the priesthood, from the highest to the lowest. (3) The remaining clans besides the royal family and the priests, along with their wives, also mourn in the same way. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, this kind of national repentance will take place.

A fountain

“On that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for defilement” (13:1). In the Old Testament, spring water was used for ceremonial cleansing. The expression “a fountain will be opened” represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (2) The Holy Spirit brings two blessings to the people of Israel. Cleansing from “sin” refers to “justification.” Cleansing from “impurity” refers to “sanctification.” Both justification and sanctification are works of the Holy Spirit. The salvation of the people of Israel is also based on the New Covenant (Jer. 31:34). “‘For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,’ declares the Lord: ‘I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people’” (Jer. 31:33). We Gentiles also have been invited into that covenant. Let us give thanks to God that we have already received the grace of justification and sanctification.