Zechariah 9
JUDGMENT because of past sins is as certain for this world as the promised outflow of blessing, as many prophets have testified. What happened long ago, though never confessed and atoned for, men desire forgotten, but it is not so with God, and it is with Him that we have to do.
When Israel, and not as now, largely an alien race, people of the land of promise, there were enemies on their borders who looked with jealous eye at the chosen people of God, and on occasion troubled them, robbed them. These nations are not to be found today, but the prophetic Scriptures which have been before us hitherto from Isaiah onward (as well as some of the Psalms) tell us that all of Israel’s former neighbors and enemies will reappear for the closing scenes when the Lord returns to set up His Millennial kingdom, and they will then meet His judgment because of their past conduct toward Israel.
The enemies on the north and west are spoken of, and their judgment foretold in verses 1-8. These dealings from God have already had a measure of fulfillment—as is often seen in connection with the prophecies of Scripture—for Alexander the Great, founder of the short-lived Grecian or Macedonian empire, was used for their partial accomplishment. That king in his conquests circled round the land of Israel, sparing the Jews, but attacking and overwhelming their enemies. Damascus, Sidon, Tyre (which he destroyed), Gaza and other strongholds were subdued by him.
That chapter 9 is future in its application is, however, clear from the first verse: “When the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord”; this time has never yet been reached. Some of the Philistines will be spared (verse 7): “he that remaineth ... shall be for our God,” and shall be as a governor, or leader, in Judah and Ekron (formerly a Philistine royal city) as a Jebusite— that is, preserved, and allowed to live in the country as the former inhabitants of Jerusalem were preserved alive after its capture by David (2 Samuel 5:6, 24:16-23).
Matthew 21 and John 12 quote verse 9 with important omissions which may be studied with much profit; what is omitted would have been out of character with the Lord’s first coming.
All that man looks to for defense in war will be removed from “Ephraim” (the ten tribes of Israel), and Jerusalem (the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin), when the Lord comes to establish peace in this warring world. His dominion will be worldwide (verse 10). Verses 11 and 12 are addressed to believing children of Israel, particularly the Jews, who for many centuries have been in God’s sight prisoners in a pit wherein is no water. By the blood of the covenant He will send them forth into liberty who have been, while under varying degrees of oppression, preserved alive by God’s power. Prisoners “of hope” the believing remnant will be, and they are then invited to turn (again) to the stronghold, the city of God’s choice, Jerusalem.
Verse 13 rightly begins, “For I have” instead of “When,” and this and the following verses speak of the day when the Lord will not only judge their enemies but will also make use of the recovered remnant of Israel in the putting down of those who oppose them. The last verse combines a tribute of praise to Him with the promise of plenty in the repossessed land.
ML 09/12/1937