Here Comes the Judge

Here Comes the Judge

Series: The Minor Prophets

Text: Zechariah 9

Introduction: (What?)

We are conditioned to want everything to happen yesterday. We like fast food, microwave cooking, and instant gratification. We often forget that God is not bound by our time system. In 2 Peter 3:8-9 we find, “My dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the LORD one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The LORD does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” God’s eternal purpose is the redemption of people for His kingdom. He will do whatever is necessary to bring people to repentance. Those who refuse to repent and choose to remain in their sin will face the wrath of God. The people of Zechariah’s day needed to understand this, and so do we today.

Examination: (Why?)

1. The Hammer Falls

Zech 9:1-8 “A pronouncement: (oracle, burden) The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus is its resting place— for the eyes of humanity and all the tribes of Israel are on the Lord— and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd. Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust and gold like the dirt of the streets. Listen! The Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea; she herself will be consumed by fire. Ashkelon will see it and be afraid; Gaza too, and will writhe in great pain, as will Ekron, for her hope will fail. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will become uninhabited. A mongrel people will live in Ashdod, and I will destroy the pride of the Philistines. I will remove the blood from their mouths and the abhorrent things from between their teeth. Then they too will become a remnant for our God; they will become like a clan in Judah and Ekron like the Jebusites. I will encamp at my house as a guard against those who march back and forth, and no oppressor will march against them again, for now I have seen with my own eyes.”

As is often the case, countries that oppress other countries never expect retaliation. Germany did not expect the Allies to unite and fight back. North Korea never expected South Korea to have allies who would come to their aid. China and Russia do not expect anyone to interfere with their quest for world-wide dominance. The nations that had oppressed Israel had no idea of what God was about to do. In this passage, God graphically describes what He is about to do to these nations. Some believe that He used Alexander the Great to accomplish His purposes although the prophecy was given about 200 years before Alexander’s victories.

The land of Hadrach describes an uncertain location, possibly the ancient city of Hatarika which is mentioned in the annals of Assyrian Kings. The name is a compound name, “Had” meaning sharp and “rach” meaning soft. John McArthur suggests that this could refer to the Medo-Persian kingdom with Media being the sharp side because of her powerful conquerors like Cyrus, and Persia being the soft side because of her debauchery.

Damascus, the capital city of Syria, was the primary target of God’s judgment. Cities such as Tyre, thought themselves to be secure because of their fortresses and 150 ft high walls. They had withstood 5 years of seige by Assyrian Shalmaneser and 13 years of Nebuchadnezzar trying to conquer them. However, God’s instrument, Alexander, accomplished their destruction in 7 months.

In vv 7-8 God tells of the conversion of the Philistines as they repented of their idolatry and turned to the God of Israel. I will remove the blood from their mouths and the abhorrent things from between their teeth. (a reference to eating sacrifices to idols) Then they too will become a remnant for our God; they will become like a clan in Judah and Ekron like the Jebusites (inhabitants of Jerusalem). I will encamp at my house as a guard against those who march back and forth, and no oppressor will march against them again, for now I have seen with my own eyes.”

God’s purpose is always redemption.

2. The King is Coming

Zech 9:9-12 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The bow of war will be removed, and he will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. As for you, because of the blood of your covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless cistern. Return to a stronghold, you prisoners who have hope; today I declare that I will restore double to you.”

Verse 9 is the prophecy regarding what we call “Palm Sunday, or the Triumphal Entry”. When Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Passover and institution of “The LORD’s Supper”, He fulfilled this prophecy. To break down the verse, “daughter Zion, and daughter Jerusalem” both refer to Israelites who were part of the religious and political nation of Israel. “Your King” refers to the “Deliverer of Israel” whom we know to be Messiah Jesus. He would come as One who is “righteous and victorious” which symbolizes salvation. Instead of riding on a mule, as a king usually did, this King would ride on a colt, the foal of a donkey, which signified unexpected humility. To sum up, the Messiah is King, He is just, He brings salvation and He is humble.

in v 10 we find that all the accouterments of war (the chariot from Ephraim, the horse from Jerusalem and the bow of war) will all be removed, and the Prince of Peace will proclaim peace to the nations (which includes the Gentiles) to the ends of the earth.a Then in vv11-12 God promises to release all captive Israelis and return them to a “stronghold” (Jerusalem) and to give them a double blessing (as happened with Job).

3. The King’s To-Do List

Zech 9:13-17 “For I will bend Judah as my bow; I will fill that bow with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece. I will make you like a warrior’s sword. Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will fly like lightning. The Lord God will sound the ram’s horn and advance with the southern storms. The Lord of Armies will defend them. They will consume and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and be rowdy as if with wine. They will be as full as the sprinkling basin, like those at the corners of the altar. The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people; for they are like jewels in a crown, sparkling over his land. How lovely and beautiful! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine, the young women.”

The King will defend and protect Israel while taking vengeance on the Greeks (remember Alexander). He will work through Judah, Ephraim (another name for Israel) and Zion (the inhabitants of the Holy Hill) to accomplish this. The people will be so joyful and full of praise that they will almost appear to be drunk. They will become abundantly prosperous (grain and new wine) as they exult in their new-found freedom.

Application: (How should I respond to this message?)

Too often we focus on our circumstances rather than God’s promises. We, who are “time-bound”, get frustrated that God (who is timeless) doesn’t operate according to our schedule. We fail to take the long view that will enable us to understand our current circumstance. There are three stages to our becoming fully kingdom citizens.

Justification: being made right with God by repenting of our sin and surrendering to His control. (Salvation)

Sanctification: being conformed to the image of Christ (Ro. 8:29) This is what takes place from the day of our salvation until we become residents of the New Heaven and New Earth. (Discipleship) This process will continue throughout our lives here on earth, and will include discipline when needed.

Glorification: being co-rulers with Christ in the New Heaven and New Earth.