Zechariah 9:1-17

"The Unveiling of God's Sovereignty: Zechariah's Prophecy"

Zechariah 9:1-17

1 The oracle of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach and Damascus is its resting place.

For the Lord has an eye on mankind

and on all the tribes of Israel,

2 and on Hamath also, which borders on it,

Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.

3 Tyre has built herself a rampart

and heaped up silver like dust,

and fine gold like the mud of the streets.

4 But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions

and strike down her power on the sea,

and she shall be devoured by fire.

5 Ashkelon shall see it, and be afraid;

Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish;

Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded.

The king shall perish from Gaza;

Ashkelon shall be uninhabited;

6 a mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod,

and I will cut off the pride of Philistia.

7 I will take away its blood from its mouth,

and its abominations from between its teeth;

it too shall be a remnant for our God;

it shall be like a clan in Judah,

and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites.

8 Then I will encamp at my house as a guard,

so that none shall march to and fro;

no oppressor shall again march over them,

for now I see with my own eyes.

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim

and the war horse from Jerusalem;

and the battle bow shall be cut off,

and he shall speak peace to the nations;

his rule shall be from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,

I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.

12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;

today I declare that I will restore to you double.

13 For I have bent Judah as my bow;

I have made Ephraim its arrow.

I will stir up your sons, O Zion,

against your sons, O Greece,

and wield you like a warrior's sword.

14 Then the Lord will appear over them,

and his arrow will go forth like lightning;

the Lord God will sound the trumpet

and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.

15 The Lord of hosts will protect them,

and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones,

and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine,

and be full like a bowl,

drenched like the corners of the altar.

16 On that day the Lord their God will save them,

as the flock of his people;

for like the jewels of a crown

they shall shine on his land.

17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!

Grain shall make the young men flourish,

and new wine the young women.

-PRAY

Introduction:

In the ever-changing landscape of our world, it is essential for believers to turn to the unchanging Word of God for guidance and assurance. Today, we look into Zechariah chapter 9, verses 1-17…

Illustration:

Consider the image of a chessboard, where each piece has a specific role and purpose.

In recent events, geopolitical shifts have stirred the chessboard of nations, reminding us that powers rise and fall, and earthly kingdoms are subject to divine orchestration.

In the midst of this, Zechariah's words resonate, revealing God's sovereign hand in the affairs of humanity.

I. Historical Background:

Zechariah, a prophet during the post-exilic period, witnessed the return of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity.

Amid the challenges of rebuilding and restoring their nation, Zechariah's words provided hope and direction.

The historical context is pivotal, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the coming Messiah.

III. Three Main Points:

A. Divine Sovereignty Over Nations:

Zechariah's prophecy reinforces the biblical principle of God's authority over the nations.

Sovereign- extreme power or authority

Daniel 4:17 - "The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people."

Psalm 22:28 - "For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations."

In a world where political ideologies may shift, conservatives find solace in the unchanging sovereignty of the Almighty.

B. Virtue of Humility:

Examining the divine king's humble entry on a donkey, we are reminded of the enduring value of humility.

Proverbs 22:4 - "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life."

James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

True leadership, from a biblical perspective, is rooted in humility before God and in service to others.

C. Hope in God's Promises:

Zechariah's promise of restoration and abundance aligns with hope anchored in biblical values.

This hope transcends temporal challenges, reminding conservatives of the enduring promises found in God's Word.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

II. Three Life Applications:

A. Acknowledgment of God's Absolute Sovereignty:

Zechariah 9 underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations. From a biblical viewpoint, recognizing that God is in control of the rise and fall of nations is paramount.

Our trust lies not in the fleeting powers of this world but in the unchanging and sovereign hand of our Creator.

B. Embrace Biblical Humility and Pursuit of Godly Peace:

The prophecy in verses 9 and 10 presents a contrasting image of the divine king entering on a donkey, symbolizing humility and the establishment of godly peace. In a world that often values assertiveness over meekness, we are called to embrace biblical humility and actively pursue peace in accordance with God's principles.

C. Hope in God's Promise of Restoration and Abundance:

The latter part of Zechariah's prophecy assures God's people of restoration and abundance. For us, this promise resonates deeply, as it reflects the values of family, moral integrity, and the assurance that God's redemptive plan brings renewal and prosperity.

Conclusion:

As we navigate a world that often challenges our values, let us turn to Zechariah's prophecy with confidence.

The unveiling of God's sovereignty calls us to uphold biblical principles, acknowledging His authority, embracing humility, and finding hope in the promises of restoration and abundance.

In doing so, we stand firm on the unchanging foundation of God's truth and wisdom.

-PRAY

-INVITATION