Zechariah 9:1–8 – The Destruction Of Surrounding Nations But The Preservation Of Zion
Zechariah 9:9–10 – The Coming Of Zion’s King
Zechariah 9:11–10:1 – The Deliverance And Blessing Of Zion’s People
Zechariah 10:2–4 – The Leaders Warned And The People Encouraged
Zechariah 10:5–12 – Israel’s Victory And Restoration
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This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
There is much talk about Tyre and Sidon in those days, the centers of commerce and trade. They were significant, wealthy, and no doubt filled with idol worship as they dealt with people from all over the world. To be successful in business, owners would have to allow people to observe their customs, a reasonable approach. Yet this tempts people beyond comprehension. It seems that success in business leads to wealth which often leads to pride. Even in this day we honor the wealthy by default, even before understanding where their heart is centered. Such fascination with fame and fortune is the ruin of many. Just finishing the sermon series on Ecclesiastes helps keep this in focus. Solomon had everything, yet realized that without God he was nothing but a page in history.
Tyre, Sidon and those neighboring cities became wealthy, meaning there were those in the city who were extremely powerful. Humility and vanity are opposite ends of the spectrum and I’m sure theirs was one on the vanity end. Zechariah prophesies their destruction. As a bonus, and keeping in mind Haggai and Zechariah are preaching to those rebuilding the temple (see Ezra 5), he includes this much needed assurance, “But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch” (Zechariah 9:8).
Zechariah 9:9-13 provide a glimpse into the future, an effort to kindle the fires of hope in the people, something preachers should take note of and remember in their Sunday gatherings.
Those scattered throughout the lands will be returned and renewed, “I will restore twice as much to you” (9:12). I think this is interesting, this part of the prophecy includes a reference to earthly wealth. God is not unhappy with the wealthy, nor is he content with his people living under oppression or in poverty. The problem is not money, it is the love of self over the Almighty God. He gave us Ten Commandments to keep it simple, Jesus made that even simpler by providing the precursor to the Ten. Together we should completely understand it is the Lord we serve. If we have wealth, it is a gift to be used to help others find the Lord. God help us to use our gifts for your greater purpose. Life is fleeting. Help us keep focused!
Reading 9:14-10:5, I think I understand some of the hesitation of the Pharisees during the time Jesus taught. These verses portray a mighty victory, “The Sovereign Lord will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south…they will destroy and overcome with slingstones. The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock” (9:14-16). Just a few verses before, we see the Messiah riding in on a colt, here we read about the mighty power of God taking back his people. It seems this is what they wanted to see, Jesus rides in on a colt, then the Lord’s mighty power displayed to destroy the oppressors. “Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets. They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame” (10:5). But the actions of Jesus and the Apostles don’t seem to match these words. It’s so difficult to see the full picture from our individual perspective. God had a much bigger plan in mind and we are part of that plan today.
Zechariah 10:6-12 (the end of the chapter), concludes the prophecy with the reassurance, “They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them” (10:6). Great words of encouragement.
Lord help us to keep the Hope of Christ alive today, help us to help others find the truth. Give us tender and firm words, a mix that doesn’t make sense in a world that is so self-centered, that honors achievements of men with fame and fortune.