[:en]SCRIPTURE: ZECHARIAH 9
“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)
“The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown” (Zechariah 9:16)
JUDGMENT OF ISRAEL’S ENEMIES (vs. 1-8)
The enemies of Israel are: The land of Hadrach, Hamath, Tyre & Sidon, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, Ashdod, and Philistines. The Lord will take away their possessions and destroy their power. They will writhe in agony without hope. Their pride will be cut off for God will defend His house against marauding forces and His people against oppressors.
THE COMING OF ZION’S KING (vs. 9-13)
What will the Zion king do?
- The Zion king riding on a donkey with salvation came to take among the chariots from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem and proclaim peace to the nations from sea to sea and from river to the ends of the earth (v. 10)
- He will free the prisoners from the waterless pit (v. 11)
- He will restore the prisoners twice as much (v. 12)
- He will raise their sons against the sons of Greece (v. 13)
THE LORD WILL APPEAR (v.s 14-17)
The Lord will appear with a sound of trumpet, flashing lighting, marching in the storms of the south and shield them. The Lord their God will save them as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. The young men will thrive like grain and the young women like new wine.
THINGS TO PONDER:
Verse 9 of this chapter was fulfilled when Jesus rode into Jerusalem (Mat. 21:1-11). Verse 10 will be fulfilled when He returns and sets up His kingdom. Israel rejected him as king by saying: “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). How about you? Will you accept Jesus or will you reject him? God promises twice as much blessings to those who will obey Him. You are free to make the right choice.
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