Zechariah 9:1-8

 

Zechariah 9:1-8

The Logos is the Rightful Savior of His People

Zec 9:1  The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD. 

Zec 9:2  And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. 

Zec 9:3  And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. 

Zec 9:4  Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. 

Zec 9:5  Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. 

Zec 9:6  And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. 

Zec 9:7  And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. 

Zec 9:8  And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. 

           1.     Zechariah Receives of a Vision of the Coming of a Great Man Who Will Make Many Mighty Conquests – vs. 1a

a.      This vision of Zechariah accurately predicts Alexander the Great’s conquest of Palestine 200 years before the events happened. It is a 2300-year-old battle plan given long before the birth of its commander. Alexander had a sense of Divine protection as he made his incredible conquest, yet he sought the help of many gods. He received many oracles from many different gods during his short life, yet only the One True God can accurately predict the future.

b.     Daniel the prophet also accurately predicts the rise of Alexander and the division of his kingdom after his death, 250 years before Alexander was born.

                                               i.     Daniel 8:20-22 

          2.     The Mighty Man Will be Used of God to Administer Judgment on the Enemies of Israel – vs. 1b- 5

a.      Alexander is going to be used by God to destroy the oppressors of Israel, and even though Israel was loyal to his enemy, the Medo-Persian Empire and Darus III, He will unexpectedly had mercy on them.

                                               i.     After destroying Darus III’s army at the battle of Granicus, Alexander proceeds to defeat Medo-Persian Santraps across Syria. – vs. 1b

1.     Daniel also prophesies that Alxander will destroy the Medo-Persian Empire

a.      Daniel 8:5-8 

                                             ii.     Alexander then turns south to destroy the cities on the coast of the Mediterranean. These city states are loyal to their ruler Darus III and hostile to Israel. The first of which is Zidon and Tyre  - vs. 2-4

1.     Tyre is a brilliant island city that is well-fortified with all kinds of creative ways to defend itself. – vs. 2

a.      Ezekiel 28:1-3 

2.     Tyre is extremely wealthy – vs. 3

a.      Ezekiel 28:5-7 

3.     Tyre, even though it seems an impregnable island, is defeated by a land-based army from the sea. Even though Alexander has no navy, he is undeterred by this and proceeds to build a giant causeway from the ruins of another city. Alexander burns and destroys Trye. – vs. 4

a.      Ezekiel 26:12 

                                            iii.     Next is the cities of Philistia – vs. 5

1.     Even though the Philistine cities have months to prepare for Alexander’s army, they to fall and their king is killed. Thus, forever ending their abuse of God’s people.

a.      There are 3 other pronouncements against the Philistines and there is no mention of any remnant.

                                                                                                     i.     Amos 1:7-8; Zephaniah 2:4-5; Ezekiel 25:15-17 

           3.     Although the Mighty Man is Great, He Illegitimately Clams to be the Son of God – vs. 6-7

a.      While there is much debate as to who or what this verse refers to, I believe it to make the most sense as possibly referring to Alexander himself. It could also be referring to Ptolemy, Alexander’s illegitimate brother, who ruled Palestine after Alexander’s death. Quite possibly it refers to Alexander’s spurious claim to be the son of a god. – vs. 6

b.     It was probably tempting to see Alexander as a terror. Yet, God instead advises His people to welcome him as a Jebusite or converted Gentile. Jaddua the High Priest, in the time of Alexander, welcomes him into Jerusalem. When Alexander witnesses this incredibly hospitable act he falls on his face before God honoring Him. – vs. 7

                                               i.     Psalm 9:20 

           4.     Jesus is the True Messiah and Deliver of His People – vs. 8

a.      Although Alexander was a great man, he is in no way the Messiah. He was a flawed man that worshipped many gods. Furthermore, his short life was filled with violence. He died at a young age, and his kingdom was fought over by his generals. He is vastly different from our loving, and humble Savior, Jesus Christ.

                                               i.     Jesus is our protector

1.     Man proposes, yet God disposes

a.      Daniel 2:20-21 

                                             ii.     Jesus causes evil to Passover us - Psalm 34:7 

                                            iii.     Jesus frees us from the Oppressor - Ephesians 2:1-5 

                                            iv.     I know this because I have seen it with my own eyes - Zechariah 9:9 

Zechariah 8:18-23

 

Zechariah 8:18-23

The Logos Turns Our Grief into Joy!

Zec 8:18  And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying, 

Zec 8:19  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. 

Zec 8:20  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: 

Zec 8:21  And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. 

Zec 8:22  Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. 

Zec 8:23  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. 

 

        1.     The Word of the Lord of Host Speaks a Final Conclusion – vs. 18*

a.     This section of vision began back in the beginning of Chapter 7; as a message to the Jews who had strayed into legalism. Despite their sin there is always forgiveness and God concludes His warning to them with final encouragement of hope.

                                               i.     Zechariah 7:11-14 

         2.     They That Sow in Tears Will Someday Reap in Joy – vs 19*

a.     The fasts that were once to mourn the destruction of Jerusalem, will someday be turned into joyful feasting

                                               i.     Psalm 126:1-6 

b.     A love of the Truth brings everlasting peace and a balm to the soul that is plagued by legalism

                                               i.     Jesus is the Truth

1.     John 14:6 

                                             ii.     Jesus is the only one that can heal the legalistic heart

1.     Philippians 3:7-10 

 

         3.     Someday There Will be Peace on Earth – vs. 20*

a.     All the peoples of the earth shall worship Jesus

                                               i.     Psalm 22:27 

b.     While, in our time, not everyone is willing to submit, someday all will bow the knee.

                                               i.     Philippians 2:10-11 

         4.     All People Will Willingly Submit to Sovereignty of the King of Kings – vs. 21*

a.     Jesus is the King of Kings

                                               i.     Daniel 7:13-14 

b.     Those that repent and receive Jesus will be saved

                                               i.     Acts 2:37-41 

c.     Jesus’ Church will someday reign with Him

                                               i.     Ephesians 1:20-23 

         5.     The City if Peace Will Someday be the Hope of the Earth Again – vs. 22*

a.     During the Church Age, Jerusalem holds no special significance

                                               i.     John 4:23-24 

b.     Yet After Christ’s return we will see the fulfilment of what Micah the prophet talks about

                                               i.     Micah 4:1-5 

         6.     God Will Someday Fulfil His Promises to His Unrepentant People – the Jews – vs. 23*

a.     During the 1000 years of Jesus’ reign on earth

                                               i.     Language barriers will fall

1.     Genesis 11:9 

2.     Psalm 67:1-7 

                                             ii.     National barriers will fall

1.     Acts 17:26 

2.     Revelation 7:9-10 

                                           iii.     God will restore the Jewish people

1.     Jeremiah 31:31-34 

Zechariah 8:9-17

 

Zechariah 8:9-17

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

Zec 8:9  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. 

Zec 8:10  For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour. 

Zec 8:11  But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Zec 8:12  For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 

Zec 8:13  And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

Zec 8:14  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not: 

Zec 8:15  So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not. 

Zec 8:16  These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 

Zec 8:17  And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD. 

           1.     How Do You Rebuild a People?

a.      For a People to Renew They Must be Strong – vs. 9*

                                               i.     How does one build lasting strength?

1.     Give it all you got - 2 Corinthains 4:17-18 

2.     Be ready to listen to God’s word - James 1:21-25 

3.     Be thorough - Ezra 6:13-16 

b.     For a People to Renew They Must Put the Past Behind Them – vs. 10*

                                               i.     Those who turn their backs on God, will experience His judgment

1.     Because they had built themselves nice houses while leaving the temple a ruin, God was going to judge them with:

a.      Haggai 1:2-4 

b.     Rapid inflation - Haggai 1:6 

c.      Rise in violent crime - Judges 5:6-7 

d.     Continuous Conflict - James 4:1-2 

 

c.      For a People to Renew They Must Put Their Faith in God – vs. 11*

                                               i.     In the same way God does not give up on Israel, He will not give up on us, even though we deserve it.

1.     Isaiah 49:14-16 

d.     For a People to Renew They Must be Grateful to God – vs. 12*

                                               i.     It is God that enables us to prosper

1.     He grows the plants so that they give their fruits - Psalm 67:6-7 

2.     He makes the ground to be productive - Proverbs 3:9-10 

3.     He brings the rain to water the crops - Isaiah 30:23 

4.     He enables us to overcome - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 

e.      For a People to Renew They Must be Unafraid – vs. 13*

                                               i.     Once upon a time you were a byword among the unbelieving

1.     Jeremiah 24:9 

                                             ii.     Just like God did for Israel He will:

1.     Save you - Psalm 126:1-3 

2.     Make you a blessing - Isaiah 2:2-3 

                                            iii.     So therefore, you must:

1.     Be Unafraid - 1 Corinthians 16:13 

2.     Press on and do not quit - Isaiah 35:3-4 

f.      For a People to Renew They Must Realize Even Though They Deserved God’s Wrath They have Received His Mercy – vs. 14-15*

                                               i.     God is angry with you for your father’s sake. We are all under the curse that Adam brought upon us.

1.     1 Corinthians 15:22 

                                             ii.     Even though you deserve judgement; God chose to give you life for the sake of His Son’s Jesus.

1.     John 3:16-18 

g.     For a People to Renew They Must Love Equal Justice for All – vs. 16-17*

                                               i.     The foundation of any good society is the truth, without it all fails

1.     Psalm 15:1-2 

                                             ii.     A truthful society will produce righteous judgement for all, out of which flows lasting peace in all places of government.

1.     Micah 6:8 

                                            iii.     The wicked come up with ways to take advantage of others, through dishonest gain.

1.     Micah 2:1-2 

                                            iv.     The Lord hates covenant breakers

1.     2 Timothy 3:1-4; Psalm 19:14 

 

The Puritans And Meditation On God's Word | Dr Joel Beeke | MWFC 2024 - Session 2

 A wonderful message on meditation from Joel Beeke. You need to watch this...

Zechariah 8:1-8

 

Zechariah 8:1-8

Jerusalem Shall Be Called a City of Truth

Zec 8:1  Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 

Zec 8:2  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. 

Zec 8:3  Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. 

Zec 8:4  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. 

Zec 8:5  And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. 

Zec 8:6  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. 

Zec 8:7  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; 

Zec 8:8  And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. 

 

          1.     The Word of the Lord of Hosts Comes to Zachariah – vs. 1

a.     The Word, who is the Logos, comes in representation of the Lord of Hosts or the Lord of the Armies. Still speaking with the intensity we saw in chapter 7, This passage in a continuation of what was said in the previous chapter and a message to the Jewish people. Although God is pronouncing judgment on His people there is always mixed in with the warning a pronouncement of unfailing love.

          2.     God Always Jealously loves His People – vs. 2

a.     In this verse God calls His people Zion which would encompass all His people Jew and Gentile alike

                                               i.     God loves the Jews

1.     Zechariah 1:14 

                                             ii.     God loves the Gentiles as well

1.     Ephesians 2:11-13 

                                           iii.     God loves Jerusalem

1.     Psalm 48:2 

 

           3.     God Longs to Bring His People to a Safe Place – vs. 3a*

a.     Although Jerusalem did yet again experience God’s wrath in 70 A.D., because of their rejection of their Messiah, God assures them that He will never give up on them.

                                               i.     God made a promise to David, that His throne would be established for all eternity. The one True King will someday fulfill this:

1.     2 Samuel 7:16-17 

2.     Psalm 89:34-37 

                                             ii.     The King’s reign will be global in scope

1.     Psalm 72:8 

                                           iii.     The King will bring an end to war

1.     Isaiah 2:1-4 

                                            iv.     The King will be worshipped by all the nations

1.     Zechariah 14:16-17 

                                             v.     The King will bind Satan for 1000 years

1.     Revelation 20:1-4 

b.     The King’s reign will establish a permanent place of safety

                                               i.     A safe place is a place of Truth – vs. 3b*

1.     John 8:32 

                                             ii.     A safe place is a place where the old can flourish in their twilight years – vs. 4*

1.     Isaiah 65:20 

                                           iii.     A safe place is where children can play in peace – vs. 5*

1.     Isaiah 11:1-9 

          4.     God Saves a Remnant of His People for Himself – vs. 6*

a.     All people should glory in God’s restoration of the Jews to their promise land

                                               i.     Romans 11:25-29 

b.     God gives salvation to all that call upon Him

                                               i.     Joel 2:32 

          5.     God Regathers His People Who Were Lost – vs. 7*

a.     When Queen Victoria asked her Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, for irrefutable proof of the existence of God, he replied simply: “The Jew.”

                                               i.     Amos 9:13-15 

         6.     God Wants to Be Worshiped by His People – vs. 8*

a.     Jeremiah 31:31-34