God’s Eye is on His People (2)

January 23, 2025

Thursday Bible Study

MVBC

A study on Zechariah

God’s Eye is on His People

Zechariah 9:1-8

Theme:  God is preparing Israel for Jesus’s return.

Introduction:  The coming of Jesus to earth wasn’t God’s Plan B or a hasty decision after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden.  Redemption was settled before there was a creation according to “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1 Peter 1:20–21) and Revelation tell us“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)

In chapters 9-14, the focus centers around Jesus’s return to the earth.  The prophecies seen in the Old Testament prophecies focused on Jesus’s literal return to earth.  The church age and the rapture is not found in prophecy.  Perhaps this is what Paul meant when he spoke of the church as a mystery in Ephesians 5.  We have go back to what God was speaking about in prophecy historically.

200 years after this prophecy was given, Alexander the Great was to march through the land on his way to India.  Although he did not acknowledge the on true and living God, God was going to use him, like Cyrus before him to bring about God’s purposes.  Alexander paved the way for the spread of the gospel message.

Alexander’s conquest of so many countries, Greek culture would become the main influence in the whole Mediterranean area.  Greek would be the universal language used by all the educated people in each country and he would pave the way for the Romans to build their long, straight, and safe roads linking the whole empire together.  The New Testament was written in what is called Koine Greek and it was easy for people to communicate and move around in the ancient world because the roads allowed for communication and transportation.

     I.         The message vv. 1-2

A.   The announcement v. 1a

1.      In the time of Zechariah Judah was surrounded by enemies- oracle or burden comes from God-oracle means an utterance from God.

2.     To the NE was Syria, to N lay Phonecia (modern day Lebannon) and SW was Philistia (about where the Gaza Strip is located).  How were God’s people to cope with their enemies.

3.     There have always been opposition by enemies to God’s people.  One characteristic of believers is we suffer persecution.

B.   The awareness v. 1b-2

1.      Man’s eyes are on the Lord-it is always best to look the Lord.

2.     When we are troubled or anxious and don’t know where to turn, thene we look to the Lord to protect His people.

3.     God’s Word is speaking against Hadrach.

4.     Chapters 9-11 deal with God’s judgment on world powers and chapters 12-14 on Israel.  Here God is showing us what He is about to do.

   II.         The judgment vv. 3-7

A.   Syria

Hadrach is near the city of Damascus capital of Syria.  Zechariah prophecies God’s Word will rest upon Damascus and Hamath which borders it.  God says that His people need not fear because His eyes on them. They were the apple of His eye “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” (Zechariah 2:8) It mattered not whether the opponents of God’s people were great or small; every power rising against God’s kingdom would be destroyed. 

B.   Phoenicia

Alexander marched down the Phoenician coast, taking one city after another.  Tyre and Sidon were very skillful and commanded respect.  They had become wealthy and gained more land moving a part of the city to an offshore Island.  Tyre had become a stronghold.  The wealth of these cities was legendary.  They were destroyed and heaped up silver like dust.  The riches came through world-wide commerce and was chief center for trade off the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.  Verse 4, God will take away her possessions and power.  Alexander could not be stopped.  He besieged the city for seven months and utterly destroyed the chief citizens of the city.  Burnt it to the ground.

C.   Philistia

Tyre had always been able to withstand attacks and the cities of the Philistines must have been glad when previous armies invaded the Phoenicians.  When they heard of the defeat of Tyre by Alexander, their hopes were dashed.  Gaza will lose their king and Ashkelon will be deserted out of fear.  God will use Alexander to cut off the pride of the Philistines.  The Lord will also destroy the Philistines who ate raw or half-raw meat and drank blood v. 7. However, those left will belong to God in Judah and Ekron.  These were converted Philistines who shall be as governors in Judah.   

 III.         The protection v. 8

A.   His promise

1.      Alexander is not greater than the power of God.

2.     Alexander left the city of Jerusalem and temple alone.

3.     God will protect His people and Land as a band of soldiers.

4.     My house here refers to the whole land including His people.

B.   His oversight

1.      No enemy would oppress them ever again because the Lord has seen the plight of His people.

2.     He will defend them and the promise of no more oppression anticipates the second coming of Christ. 

Conclusion:  God is showing us through His prophet the preparations for the return of Christ.  These are laying the groundwork for His coming back.