BIG IDEA:
GOD’S PEOPLE SHOULD REJOICE IN ANTICIPATION OF THEIR COMING KING WHO WILL VANQUISH ALL ENEMIES AND ESTABLISH PEACE AND PROSPERITY
INTRODUCTION:
Chapter 9 begins the final section of the prophecy of Zechariah which consists of two oracles introduced by the phrase “The burden of the word of the Lord” (9.1, 12:1). Many of the earlier themes are revisited and expanded upon. But the focus shifts to the coming Messiah – the preparation for that coming in the judgment of the Gentile nations, the character of the Messiah, and all that He will accomplish in restoring and blessing His people. He is a just King who will reign in peace from Jerusalem over the entire world. Even Gentiles will flock to align themselves in submission under His rule. But first there must be judgment against those wicked nations that had oppressed His chosen people. God’s elect should rejoice in anticipation of their coming King.
I. (:1-8) THE PREPARATION FOR THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH –
THE MILITARY EXPLOITS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT FORESHADOW GOD’S END-TIME JUDGMENTS AGAINST GENTILE NATIONS AND PRESERVATION OF HIS REMNANT PEOPLE
(Prophetic passage which has both near and far fulfillment)
A. (:1-7a) Neighboring Nations Laid Waste – Military Campaigns of Alexander the Great – Note the glory of God as He lays waste to the false glory of human kingdoms —
1. (:1-2a) Advance Through Aram (Syria)
“The burden of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place (for the eyes of men, especially of all the tribes of Israel, are toward the Lord), And Hamath also, which borders on it”
– Ultimate accountability to the sovereign Lord
MacArthur: Re “Damascus” – This city was to be the main target of the judgment of God through Alexander upon the capital of Syria, one of Israel’s worst enemies from ca. 900-722 B.C.
2. (:2b-4) Advance Through Phoenicia
“Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise: For Tyre built herself a fortress And piled up silver like dust, and gold like the mire of the streets. Behold, the Lord will dispossess her and cast her wealth into the sea; And she will be consumed with fire.”
– Futility of human Wisdom
– Futility of human Power
– Futility of human Wealth and Materialism
MacArthur: Re “Tyre” – This city was occupying an island one half mile off-shore, and thought itself to be invincible (cf. Is 23:1-4). With walls 150 ft. high in some places, it was such an impregnable city that the Assyrian Shalmaneser besieged it for 5 years and failed to conquer it. Nebuchadnezzar tried for 13 years unsuccessfully. But Alexander, God’s judgment instrument, using the rubble of the mainland city destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, built a causeway out to the island and destroyed it in 7 months (ca. 334-332 B.C.)
3. (:5-7a) Advance Through Philistia
“Ashkelon will see it and be afraid.
Gaza too will writhe in great pain;
Also Ekron, for her expectation has been confounded.
Moreover, the king will perish from Gaza,
And Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
And a mongrel race will dwell in Ashdod,
And I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
And I will remove their blood from their mouth
And their detestable things from between their teeth.”
– Futility of human Security
– Futility of human Leadership
– Futility of human Dynasties and Offspring
– Futility of human Pride
– Futility of human Idolatry
MacArthur: This judgment put an end to idolatry for many Philistines who turned to the God of Israel. In the imagery of this verse, the nation is seen as a man with blood in his mouth (from eating sacrifices to idols) and abominations (the other defiled food of idol worship) which are removed. The picture is of conversion to worship the true God.
B. (:7b-8) Remnant in Jerusalem is Spared
1. (:7b) Establishment of a Remnant
“Then they also will be a remnant for our God,
And be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron like a Jebusite.”
2. (:8a) Protection of the Remnant
“But I will camp around My house because of an army,
Because of him who passes by and returns;
And no oppressor will pass over them anymore.”
3. (:8b) Prophetic Confirmation
“For now I have seen with My eyes.”
II. (:9-10) THE PROPHECY OF THE COMING RIGHTEOUS MESSIAH TO REIGN IN PEACE OVER THE WORLD FROM JERUSALEM
A. (:9a) Announcement of the Coming Messiah
1. Anticipatory Tone of Triumphant Rejoicing
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!”
2. Long-Awaited Physical Union of Covenant Ruler and Covenant People
“Behold, your king is coming to you”
MacArthur: The two advents of Christ are here compressed as though they were one as in Is 61:1-3 (cf. Lk 4:16, 21). Actually, v. 9 refers to His first coming and v. 10 is His second. OT prophets didn’t see the great time period between the two comings. The church age was a “mystery” hidden from them (cf. Eph 3:1-9; Col 1:27).
B. (:9b) Snapshot of the First Coming of the Messiah
1. His Unblemished Character = Righteous
“He is just”
There are no character flaws that anyone could criticize;
Cf. the requirements for an elder – here you have one who is truly blameless
Mackay: Kings were often arbitrary and unfair in their actions – not least Alexander whose vanity often caused him to act inequitably. But the rule of the Messiah will be fair and just, because he himself desires to do God’s will and has his law within his heart (Ps. 40:8). The character of his official actions is determined by his inner attitude towards God (Jn. 5:30). Such righteousness had long been associated with the Messiah (2 Sam 23:3; Ps. 45:6-7; Isa. 11:3-5; 32:1; 45:23; 53:11; Jer. 23:5; 33:15). In his reign the injustices and perplexities of this world would be eliminated, and equity would prevail. In particular, the Messianic king would meet and fulfil all the requirements of the covenant.
2. His Noble Mission = Accomplishing Salvation
“and endowed with salvation”
3. His Humble Demeanor (cf. Philippians 2)
“Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Mackay: It describes one who knows suffering and misery, and who lives in outwardly insignificant circumstances. When such earthly misfortunes are rightly improved on, they foster an attitude of humble dependence on the Lord (Isa. 66:2), and of taking him as a refuge (Ps. 14:6). The spirit of the humble sets them apart from those whose eyes are haughty (Ps. 18:27) and from proud mockers (Prov. 3:34). What they have experienced makes them sensitive to the situation of others. Even if they could, they would not employ force to get their way. Hardly a characteristic of earthly kings!
Piper: So what Jesus meant when he chose that donkey to ride on was this: I am meek and lowly in heart; I am approachable; you can find rest for your souls here; I am not against you, I am for you; I did not come to condemn but to save; I come on behalf of God, my Father in heaven, to reconcile you to him — to make peace between you and your Maker.
C. (:10) Snapshot of the Second Coming of the Messiah
1. Establishment of Peace
“I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem;
And the bow of war will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations”
2. Exercise of Worldwide Dominion
“And His dominion will be from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.”
III. (:11-17) THE PICTURE OF DELIVERANCE AND PROSPERITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD
A. (:11-12) Deliverance of God’s People — Redemption from Bondage
1. (:11a) Rescuing by the Blood of the Covenant
“As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you”
Study Hebrews for the substitutionary, atoning death of Christ, the Passover Lamb slain for us
2. (:11b) Resulting in Deliverance from the Despair of Prison
“I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit”
Study the bondage of sin and of the kingdom of darkness
MacArthur: Prisoners in ancient times were often kept in dry wells or pits, like Joseph was (Ge 37:24, 28). The exiles of Israel, pictured as being in a dry well of captivity, suffering, and despair, will be freed because of His unbreakable covenant with them.
3. (:12a) Re-establishing Hope in the Stronghold of the Lord
“Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope”
4. (:12b) Restoring their Abundant Fortunes
“This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.”
B. (:13-14) Deployment of God’s People as Weapons of God’s Wrath
Delivered to be used as instruments to serve God’s purposes
1. (:13a) The Bow
“For I will bend Judah as My bow,
I will fill the bow with Ephraim.”
2. (:13b) The Sword
“And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece;
And I will make you like a warrior’s sword.”
3. (:14a) The Arrow
“Then the Lord will appear over them,
And His arrow will go forth like lightning;”
4. (:14b) The Warpath – The Military Procession
“And the Lord God will blow the trumpet,
And will march in the storm winds of the south.”
C. (:15a) Defense of God’s People
“The Lord of hosts will defend them.”
D. (:15b) Devouring of God’s Enemies
“And they will devour and trample on the sling stones;
And they will drink and be boisterous as with wine;
And they will be filled like a sacrificial basin,
Drenched like the corners of the altar.”
E. (:16-17) Delight of God’s People
1. (:16a) Pastoral Flock
“And the Lord their God will save them in that day
As the flock of His people”
2. (:16b) Precious Stones
“for they are as the stones of a crown,
Sparkling in His land.”
3. (:17a) Pretty Picture
“For what comeliness and beauty will be theirs!”
4. (:17b) Prosperous Feasting
“Grain will make the young men flourish”
and new wine the virgins.”