ZECHARIAH
9:9-12
Review
3 weeks
ago: Zephaniah – Prophesied in the Southern kingdom (Judah) when Josiah
reigned. Judgment (The Day of the Lord) was coming universally and locally.
2 weeks
ago: Zephaniah – A remnant remains that will be delivered from the judgment
(Judah from Babylon, us from sin). Jesus, our warrior, saves us from judgment.
Last
week: Obadiah – Babylon conquers Judah and Jerusalem. The Edomites (related to
Judah through Esau and Jacob) helped Babylon so they would be judged.
Context
Set in
context of whole Bible with “Kingdom of God”. King Cyrus of Persia, as
prophesied 200 years before (Isa. 44:28, 45:1), conquered the Babylonians, so
the Jewish nation returned, with his permission and began rebuilding the
temple. We met Cyrus in Ezra. Zechariah wrote to rouse people from their
indifference in building the temple. They weren’t just building for the present
but for a future Messiah. After the exile God is renewing his commitment to
restore Judah as his people. They will suffer more distress but in the end God
will judge the oppressors and Judah will produce the Messiah.
Intro
When was the last time someone
encourage you? Did it motivate you?
Verse 9
Why are they rejoicing? A king
is coming! They were in exile and had no king for some time. It wasn’t just any
king but one with character. They had many with bad character.
What character traits will he have? He will
be righteous, victorious and humble.
How righteous? He was
without sin (2 Cor. 5:21, Heb. 4:15).
How victorious? He
destroyed the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
How humble? He humbled himself by dying
on the cross (Phil. 2:8). Why a donkey?
It emphasized humility because he didn’t enter on a powerful warhorse.
Do we see this king coming in the New
Testament? Matt. 21:5, John 12:15, Luke 19:28, Mark 11:4. So Zechariah’s prophecy
fulfilled 500 years later.
Verses 10
What will this king do? He will
bring peace. The triumphal entry on the donkey was a prophecy of his first
coming. This is a prophecy of his second coming.
How far will this peace extend? From
sea to sea which means not just Israel but all the nations. Euphrates was
northern border of Israel but symbolic.
Verse 11
Why are the
prisoners released? Because of the covenant God had made. Applies
to Israel then and us now (Mark 14:24, Matt. 26:28).
Verse 12
What is
Zechariah’s encouragement? Have hope!
They were still under Persian rule but they were still free. Freedom is not a
location but a position. They could live in freedom even in the midst of
Persian rule. We are still prisoners of this world and under the curse of sin
but, in Christ, free from the power of sin. Jesus is the King who sets the
prisoners free.
He is encouraging them to continue work on the
temple. The temple was God’s visible presence in the midst of his people. There
is therefore a distinction between those who have God and those who don’t, i.e.
no temple = no God. The temple pointed to the ultimate temple – Jesus (John
1:14). He became the place where God was dwelling in our midst. He is gone so
we are now “pieces” of that temple (1 Cor. 3:16). We are the place where God
dwells through the Spirit. When people get saved and join the church the temple
is being built (1 Peter 2:4-5). We have the privilege of participating in a construction
project of the King in expanding the temple.
Apply (What now?)
What are you doing on the job site? Are
you watching everyone else build or are you a builder?
Are you encouraging others by
participating and encouraging each other as you work?
Our words
are a powerful tool (Prov. 18:21, Prov. 12:25).
How can we encourage one another? Commend
each other (wisdom, helpfulness, kindness, compassion, etc.), don’t talk down
to each other (Phil. 2:3), show confidence in each other (loan them something),
notice character qualities, serve people, ask advice, etc.
Pray
Thank
you for setting us free. Give us strength and desire to continue the building
project you have for us. Show us how we can encourage one another.