Zechariah 9
The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach verse 1
and Damascus shall be the rest thereof – when the eyes of man
as of all the tribes of Israel – shall be toward the LORD
Actions of the LORD on Damascus verse 2- 4
AND Hamath also shall border thereby
Tyre and Sidon – though it be very wise
AND Tyre did build herself a stronghold
and heaped up silver as the dust
and find gold as the mire of the streets
BEHOLD the LORD will cast her out
and HE will smite her power in the sea
and she shall be devoured with fire
Actions concerning the Philistines verse 5- 7
Ashkelon shall see it – and fear
Gaza also shall see it – and be very sorrowful
and Ekron – for her expectation shall be ashamed
the king shall perish from Gaza
and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited
AND a illegal child shall dwell in Ashdod
and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines
And I will take away his blood out of his mouth
and his abominations from between his teeth
BUT he that remains – even he – shall be for our God
and he shall be as a governor in Judah
and Ekron as a Jebusite
LORD is guarding HIS Temple verse 8
And I will encamp about MINE house because of the army
BECAUSE of him that passes by – and BECAUSE of him that returns
AND no oppressor shall pass through them any more
FOR now have I seen with MINE eyes
Announcement of the coming King (First coming) verse 9
Rejoice greatly – O daughter of Zion
Shout – O daughter of Jerusalem
BEHOLD – your King comes unto you – HE is just
and having salvation
Lowly – and riding upon an donkey
and on a colt the foal of an donkey
Domain of the King verse 10
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim – and the horse from Jerusalem
and the battle bow shall be cut off
and HE shall speak peace unto the heathen
and HIS dominion shall be from sea even to sea
and from the river even to the ends of the earth
Israelites return to Jerusalem verse 11- 13
As for you also – by the blood of your covenant I have sent forth your prisoners
out of the pit wherein is no water
Turn you to the stronghold – you prisoners of hope
EVEN today do I declare that I will render double unto you
WHEN I have bent Judah for ME – filled the bow with Ephraim
and raised up thy sons – O Zion – against thy sons – O Greece
and made you as the sword of the mighty man
LORD will rescue HIS people (Second coming) verse 14- 17
AND the LORD shall be seen over them
and HIS arrow shall go forth as the lightning
and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet
and shall go with whirlwinds of the south
The LORD of hosts shall defend them
and they shall devour – and subdue with sling stones
and they shall drink – and make a noise as through wine
and they shall be filled like bowls
and as the corners of the altar
AND the LORD their God shall save them
in that day as the flock of HIS people
FOR they shall be as the stones of a crown
lifted up as an ensign upon his land
FOR how great is HIS goodness – and how great is HIS beauty
corn shall make the young men cheerful – and new wine the maids
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 7 And I take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remains, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. (3249 “I will take away” [yacuwr] means to change direction, to remove something concrete, to cause to depart, or to withdraw from calamity.)
DEVOTION: Is it possible for enemies to become friends? Is it possible that those who worship false gods can worship the ONE TRUE GOD? Does God even forgive those nations that once hurt HIS people?
The answer to all the questions is yes. With God all things are possible. We have a group of people called Philistines that constantly fought against Israel. They were their natural enemies during the times of the judges.
They were not supposed to exist because the LORD had commanded the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land to kill all the people that were there. They disobeyed God by sparing them and just requiring them to pay them tribute money or payment to let them live.
Now we go to the end times and these enemies are going to worship the LORD. It even says that they will be like another clan of Israel. They will join Judah in the worship of the LORD.
Our responsibility today is to love our enemies. Part of loving our enemies is showing the Christ through our actions and words. Our goal is to see that they become followers of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: The LORD is being proactive at this time to help HIS people. This was true then and it is true today. HE is working daily in our lives.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (4428 “King” [melek] means royal, a title for the one true God, or male royal ruler.
DEVOTION: Israel has a coming KING. He is going to come riding on a donkey. HE is going to rule with peace. HIS dominion is from sea to sea or the whole world. HE is going to set the prisoner free. There is going to be the sound of a trumpet. HE going to be noted for HIS goodness. HE is going to be noted for HIS beauty. People are going to be happy.
This took place when Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Passover. It is called HIS triumphant entry. The people thought HE was coming as their KING right then. HE was no coming this time for that purpose. HIS purpose was to shed HIS blood for the remission of the sins of the world. Only those who make a commitment to HIM will be covered with HIS blood.
At HIS second coming HE will come to rule and reign with HIS people. Only then will there be peace. Only then will the world be turned right side up.
We have a king! The children of Israel are promised a future king that would be just and bring salvation. This verse tells them to rejoice and shout before their coming King. They did it on Palm Sunday for Christ. They will do it again when HE comes again to reign over all the earth. HE will establish peace in the whole world.
We need to remember that we have something to shout about. We have someone to rejoice over. Sometimes we look like we have sucked on sour lemons. We are the only ones who have HOPE in this world. We need to share that hope with others. Remember that after Palm Sunday comes Resurrection Sunday. The tomb is empty. Our LORD is in heaven until the day the Father has appointed for HIS return. Are we looking for our King to sound the trumpet? We should be!!!
CHALLENGE: Live as if the LORD is coming in another hundred years but look for it to happen tonight! Never doubt that HE is coming again.
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: 10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace to the heathen: and HIS dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. (657 “to the ends” [’ephec] means extremity, nothingness, or non-existence.)
DEVOTION: When the LORD returns for the second time HE is going to set up HIS kingdom. HE is going to speak peace to the nations of those who have turned their life over to HIM. There is going to be a change of heart by the nations. During the Tribulation there are going to be people from every tribe following the LORD because of the witness of the 144,000 Jewish virgins who are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Now HIS reign is described as going from sea to sea. It is going to go to the ends of the earth. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen to the earth when it is changed during the Millennium. The book of Isaiah gives us many passages that try to explain what happens to the earth and the animal kingdom. It is hard to imagine right now but the Bible says animals will not be enemies anymore to each other or to humans during this time period.
Today we have war between humans and animals because of the sin of Adam and Eve but then things will be different. Look forward to this day when the LORD will return to set up this type of kingdom.
CHALLENGE: The LORD continues to inform us that HE is in full control of what is happening in our world. HE is not sitting idly by. What are we doing to help others?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. (2898 “goodness” [tuwb] means kindness, beauty, well-being, success, beneficial qualities, desirability or fairness)
DEVOTION: The LORD promises to provide our every need according to HIS riches in glory. When Christ returns to set up HIS kingdom on earth we find that HE is going to supply abundance to the people.
Too often we ask the LORD for things we don’t need and wonder why HE doesn’t give them to us. HE knows what we need when we need it. HE loves HIS children. HE wants to provide for them. HE also wants obedience from HIS children.
Throughout the history of Israel HE has manifested HIS desire to provide for them. They have always taken what HE has given them and worshiped false gods. They don’t seem to learn from their past sins.
The Bible records all that has happened since the LORD called HIS people Israel. We are commanded to learn from their example. We are to learn what is desirable in the LORD’S eyes. We are to understand HIS desire to provide for us but also HIS desire to watch us grow.
During the Millennium the time for growth is over and it is just a time of blessing and service to HIM.
CHALLENGE: Continually understand HIS message of hope to HIS people in all generations. Our character should manifest this hope before others.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of the LORD verse 1
Covenant verse 11
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 14- 16
Word of the LORD verse 1
Lord – Adonai (Master, Owner) verse 4, 14
GOD – Jehovah verse 14
Lord GOD verse 14
Blow a trumpet verse 14
LORD of hosts verse 15
LORD their God verse 16
Goodness verse 17
Beauty verse 17
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
King is coming verse 9
Just verse 9
Having salvation verse 9
Lowly and riding on donkey verse 9
Speak peace verse 10
Dominion – world earth verse 10
Blood of the covenant verse 11
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 7, 16
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Land of Hadrach verse 1
Damascus verse 1
Hamath verse 2
Tyrus verse 2, 3
Zidon verse 2
Ashkelon verse 5
Gaza verse 5
Ekron verse 5, 7
Ashdod verse 6
Philistines verse 6
Jebusite verse 7
Heathen verse 10
Greece verse 13
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Pride verse 6
Eat blood verse 7
Abomination verse 7
Heathen verse 10
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Eyes toward the LORD verse 1
Rejoice verse 9
Shout verse 9
Salvation verse 9, 16
Peace verse 10
Covenant verse 11
Prisoners of hope verse 11, 12
Stones of a crown verse 16
Cheerful verse 17
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
All the tribes of Israel verse 1
Judah verse 7, 13
Daughter of Zion verse 9, 13
Daughter of Jerusalem verse 9
Ephraim verse 10, 13
Jerusalem verse 10
HIS people verse 16
Stones of a crown verse 16
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
17 With Israel’s deliverance comes blessing, including agricultural prosperity, because Israel’s covenantal God controls the weather and the rain (10:1). The result is a land of peace, prosperity, and plenty. “They” is literally “he” (possibly the Lord), but the singular could be collective for the delivered remnant of the future; the context (v.16) seems to favor the collective understanding. “Grain” and “new wine” are signs of prosperity. (Barker, K. L. (1986). Zechariah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, p. 667). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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9:16–17. The divine deliverance predicted here will come on that day, a reference to the end time. God will care for them as a shepherd cares for his flock (cf. 10:3). Then Israel will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown. This is a beautiful cameo of the fulfilled promises concerning the people in the land (cf. Amos 9:11–15). They will be attractive and beautiful symbols of all God has done for them. Divine blessing on nature will produce conditions of plenty (cf. Joel 2:21–27) so that physical health will also be assured (Zech. 9:17). (Lindsey, F. D. (1985). Zechariah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1563). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Messiah will march in triumph (9:14–10:1). The image here is that of a storm, not unlike what we read in Psalm 18:7–15 and Habakkuk 3:3–15. Messiah will march forth with a voice like thunder and arrows like lightning, and His army will march with Him. He’ll shield them from danger and death and will enable them to defeat their enemies.
In Zechariah 9:15, the image changes from a storm to a feast and the prophet pictures the soldiers shouting like men who are drunk with wine. (See 10:7.) But instead of being drunk on wine, they’re “drunk” with the blood of their enemies. Each man is “filled to the brim” like the bowls used at the temple to catch the blood of the sacrifices on the altar (Lev. 4:6–7).
Again, the image changes (Zech. 9:16–10:1) and the army is pictured as a flock of sheep which the Messiah saves by His power. Sheep are the last animals you would take to a war, but Israel has always been God’s special flock (Ps. 100:3) and God “the Shepherd of Israel” (80:1). Zechariah will use the “flock” and “shepherd” images again in his prophecy (Zech. 10:2–3; 11:4–16; 13:7).
Once more, the image changes from sheep to precious stones (9:16). When the high priest Joshua was cleansed and clothed, he received the special holy turban that was his crown (3:5), and then he was crowned with a royal diadem that made him king as well as priest (6:9–12). But now it’s God’s people who are like beautiful precious jewels, sparkling in the land and revealing the beauty of their God.
This section ends with a brief description of the land and the changes God will make for the joy of His people (9:17–10:1). There will be plenty of grain in the fields and fruit in the vineyards because the Lord will provide the rain in its time. How often in their history the Jews turned for help to Baal, the god of storms, instead of turning to the Lord who alone can send the rain. (See 1 Kings 18.) During the Kingdom Age, the land of Palestine will be fruitful and beautiful as God provides the rain that is so necessary for anything to grow.
The promise of rain given in Zechariah 10:1 may have a spiritual meaning behind it, because the Holy Spirit is spoken of in terms of rain (Isa. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 39:29; Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23–32). God promises to pour out His Spirit on Israel (Zech. 12:10) and bring them to repentance and faith in Christ. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Be heroic (pp. 134–135). Colorado Springs, CO: ChariotVictor Pub.)
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9:16, 17 Abundant prosperity, such as the world has never seen, results in excessive rejoicing and praise results from God “saving” His people, Israel (cf. Dt 33:28; Ps 4:7, 8). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Zec 9:16). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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WE have already pointed out that this book divides into two parts. The second division embraces chapters 7 to 14. Our study has shown us that, of these, chapters 7 and 8 stand together. A second section, or subdivision, begins with chapter 9, and goes on to the end of chapter 11, giving in a most instructive way the coming of Messiah, and His rejection by Judah. Chapters 12 to 14 follow with the inspired account of His second coming and His acceptance by the repentant remnant.
The refusal of Christ when He came in grace is morally connected with the state into which the people had fallen long before. The cross was but the culmination of a course of wilful hardening that had been going on from the days of the wilderness. Because of this were the various captivities and the many afflictions which had come upon them. When these resulted in exercise and repentance, the peaceable fruit of righteousness and repentance followed. To this the remnant had been called in chapters 7 and 8. Now the prophet points them on to the coming Saviour-King, that there might be heart-preparation for His reception. But the 11th chapter closes with the solemn prediction of the selling of the true Shepherd for thirty pieces of silver, and the consequent acceptance of the Idol-shepherd, the Antichrist. (Ironside, H. A. (1909). Notes on the Minor Prophets. (pp. 391–392). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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Ver. 17. For how great is his goodness? &c.] Not of the land of Judea, as Kimchi; nor of the doctrine of the law, as the Targum; nor of the people of the Jews; but of the Messiah: and designs not his essential nor his providential goodness; but his goodness as Mediator, which he has in his heart, and has shewn unto his people, in being their surety, and becoming their Saviour; in assuming their nature; bearing their sins, and obeying and suffering in their room and stead: and also that which he has in his hands for them, and communicates to them; his fulness of grace; all those spiritual blessings that are in him; the large measures of grace given at conversion; and the numerous instances of his goodness afterwards; yea, it includes glory, as well as grace: and how great is his beauty? not as God, nor as man, but as Mediator; as beheld in the covenant and promises; in the Gospel, and in the truths and in the ordinances of it: corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids; by young men are meant the same as in 1 John 2:14. believers in Christ, who are lively, warm, and zealous for Christ, his cause and interest; who are active, diligent, and industrious in the discharge of duty; and are strong in Christ, and in his grace; and particularly in the grace of faith, and quit themselves like men: and by maids or virgins are meant the same; so called because of their chaste adherence to Christ; for their beauty, comeliness, and attire; and for their purity of divine worship and conversation: and the Gospel is intended by corn and new wine; which is compared to corn, in opposition to the chaff of human doctrines; and because it contains Christ the bread of life, and is nourishing and comfortable: and to new wine, not because it is a novel doctrine, for it is the everlasting Gospel ordained before the world was; but because, under the Gospel dispensation, to which this prophecy refers, it is newly and more clearly revealed; see the note on ver. 15. The effect of which is, that it makes saints cheerful, fills them with joy and spiritual mirth; for it is a joyful sound: or, shall make fruitful; it causes them to grow and increase, and makes them fruitful in every good word and work: or, shall make them speak eloquently; or cause them to put forth the fruit of their lips, in giving thanks to God for the abundance of grace bestowed upon them: or, shall make them sing, as others; in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This new wine may be interpreted of the gifts and graces bestowed in great plenty on the day of Pentecost, both on sons and daughters, on servants and handmaids, whereby they prophesied, and saw visions, Acts 2:16, 17. see Ephes. 5:18, 19. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, pp. 725–726). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
Acts 2
The Holy Spirit comes upon the believing Jews gathered at the temple.
INSIGHT
Who would have expected the coming of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament to be like this? Rushing wind. Fire. Many languages spoken and all being understood. Those with unbelieving hearts always find a “natural” explanation, but those who believe drop to their knees and cry out to God! “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (2:37). Revelation always demands a response. Unbelievers always look for a way to get out from under the authority of Scripture. But the believing heart will cry out, “O God, what shall I do?” Search your mind. Is there some response you should make to God right now? (Quiet Walk)
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BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20:31
What do we believe about Christ? What is the teaching about Him? Why do you think the four Gospels were ever written? Surely there can be no hesitation about answering this question. They were written–God caused men to write them and guided them through the Spirit as they did so–in order that the truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ might be known exactly. All sorts of false stories were current in the first century. They were apocryphal gospels, and in them things were being ascribed to Him and He was reported to have done and said things that had never happened. So the Gospels were written in order to define the truth, in order to exclude certain falsehoods and give the facts plainly and clearly.
Luke, in the introduction to his Gospel, says: “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (1:1-4). You will find that John, at the end of his Gospel, virtually says the same thing: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (20:31).
But not only do the Gospels tell us that–there are also several sections in other parts of the New Testament that specifically make the same point. Take the first epistle of John, for example. Why was it written” To counteract the false teaching that was current, the teaching that denied that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh, that docetism, that false doctrine.
A Thought to Ponder: The Gospels were written in order that the truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ might be known exactly. (From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 246-247, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Labor
“We beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” (1 Thessalonians 4:10-12)
On Labor Day, we traditionally take time to recognize the great workforce here in America. From factories to restaurants, from typing pools to machine shops, from schoolrooms to gas stations, laborers help make the economy run, and on this day America honors its workforce.
The Bible likewise frequently commends those who work. For example: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28).
Several of the words in our text are significant. The verbs “increase . . . study . . . be . . . do . . . work . . . walk . . . lack” are all in the tense implying a habit, or lifestyle. We are thus commended to have a mindset of work, not laziness or expecting others to do for us what we can do for ourselves.
The word “honestly” elsewhere is translated “decently” or “properly” and is emphasized in the Greek. There is a proper way to walk.
Perhaps Paul was referring to his own example: “For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you” (1 Thessalonians 2:9).
Note that an admonition to continue in “brotherly love” (v. 9) is the context of our text. For one who refuses to work and becomes a burden to society exhibits a lack of brotherly love and is a reproach to the community of Christ.
Laborers are honored in Scripture, and so is labor.
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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