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
