Glorious! (Zechariah 9)
Some of the clearest, most abundant Messianic prophecies on the Lord’s First and Second Advents appear in Zechariah 9—14. These chapters consist of events pertaining to God’s eschatological (future) program for Israel.
The chapters cover a vast period that extends from the Grecian era under Alexander the Great to the yet-future return of Israel’s Messiah Jesus.
The section begins in Zechariah 9:1–7 with a prophecy that was fulfilled when Alexander the Great conquered the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Middle East in 332 BC. Although Alexander conquered Jerusalem, he did not destroy the city or have Israel pay tribute to him.
Zechariah 9:8 then jumps centuries ahead, stating, “No more shall an oppressor pass through them, for now I have seen with My eyes.” In other words, God promises to watch over the Jewish people. He has seen Jerusalem’s distress and destruction over the centuries, and there will come a day when He will allow it no more.
Zechariah 9:9–17 blends together the Messiah’s First and Second Comings and speaks of God’s provision for Israel’s salvation:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.’
Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.”
Then the LORD will be seen over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and go with whirlwinds from the south. The LORD of hosts will defend them; they shall devour and subdue with slingstones. . . . The LORD their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land (vv. 9–10, 12, 14–16).
God promises to return His people to their land and “strengthen them in the LORD, and they shall walk up and down in His name” (10:12). God indeed has a future for Israel, and it will be glorious!
