Zechariah 9
-For the first time in this book the word burden (massa’- load, bearing, tribute, burden,
lifting, utterance, oracle) is used to describe Zechariah’s message from the
LORD. Most scholars believe that chapter nine is a different and later time
period of Zechariah’s ministry with the Temple being completed and a more
astute focus on the coming Messiah. In fact Zechariah references the Messiah
more than any of the other minor prophets combined in a preparation for His
coming, which would be several hundred years ahead for the first incarnation. The
prophet also divines things of the latter days with the second coming of Christ.
-Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place, Hamath, Tye,
Sidon, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron are all denounced “for the eyes of men,
especially all the tribes of Israel, are toward the LORD (Zechariah 9:1).” The
LORD will dispossess, cast wealth away, consume with fire, make to writhe in
great pain, confound expectations, disinhibit, make to perish, and cut off the
pride of these wayward cultures. He will “remove their blood from their mouth”
and rid their detestable things from between their teeth to leave only a
remnant for God. They will be reduced to small clans and bygone powers of
history (Zechariah 9:1-7). But, God will camp around His House in Jerusalem annihilating
any oppression. His eyes have seen all and will protect His covenant people. In
the midst of this oracle, the Messiah is revealed to be coming with great
rejoicing. “He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a
donkey, even a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This prophecy is fulfilled completely
as Christ Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-11,
Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-16). This Messiah will eventually “speak peace to the
nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River
(Euphrates) to the ends of the earth (Zechariah 9:8-11).” God was announcing
prophetical deliverance for Judah and Ephraim. His promises would come to pass
in complete fulfillment. Hope was encouraged as the LORD guaranteed to restore
double to His people and victory over the enemy, including Greece. He will make
His people like a “warrior’s sword. Then the LORD will appear over them and His
arrow will go forth like lightning; and the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and
will march in the storm winds of the south. The LORD of hosts will defend them.”
The LORD will indeed “save them in that day,” which I believe is yet to come in
the future. They are His flock as the stones of His crown, “sparkling in His
land.” Comeliness and beauty will be theirs and flourishing crops will again be
normal (Zechariah 9:12-17).
-*Application* There are many things we could reflect on in
this passage both prophetically and morally. Take some time today to think
through these things that God punished societies for. When a nation is greedy
and self-consumed with its own material wealth, God is not pleased. A giving
spirit is what we need and joyful contentment. Cast down idols and turn your
eyes toward the LORD. He is our ONLY salvation. He is just, endowed with
salvation, humble, and can deliver. Trust in His security, not your own
personal or national wealth, power, and prestige. He can take that down in an
instant when He desires.
Verse to Memorize:
Zechariah 9:9
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