Zechariah - Chapter 9

A GENTILE WORLD LEADER & ISRAEL'S PRINCE OF PEACE

ZECHARIAH 9

The first eight chapters of Zechariah are consumed with the display of his visions given by God to advise the prophet of the current and long term plans of God for His own people and also the world. These visions are filled with symbolism but even so, the plan of the Lord can be seen directly as God reveals the visions.

The remainder of the book is a description of direct prophecies of coming events within the plan and should be read with a view of the time they were given and judged as to accuracy by history since the prophecies were foretold.

During these years (332-331 B.C.) there arose a young Greek general named Alexander who perfected attack warfare that was quick and overwhelming and he began his journey to conquer the known world. While nations fell one by one in his path, in Israel the Lord was sending prophecies through Zechariah of His own judgment of surrounding nations who had harmed His people. The prophet was much older now and these last chapters reflect a different view as his information was not vision originated but spoken into him by the Spirit of God.

Now God reveals his coming destruction against the cities of Lebanon and it is thought that the march of Alexander was the tool God used for these prophecies. The Assyrians (conquerors of Israel) and Chaldea (conquerors of Judea) had both tried by siege to take the cities of Lebanon for many years and all their efforts failed. Alexander took the cities with military and engineering strategies to overcome city walls rather than siege.

Next came the war against Gaza to the west of Israel, which also fell to Alexander, as did Ashkelon and other cities nearer and nearer to Israel and Judea. God had promised to protect His holy city and he did so by a remarkable chain of events. Josephus the historian wrote of this amazing time in his book Antiquities of the Jews.

As Alexander and his army approached Jerusalem, the high priest made special offerings to God and sought His protection. God then gave the priest a dream and told him to take courage, adorn the city in welcome, and open the city gates. The priest was told to dress in purple and to dress all the Temple staff in white and all should go in peace out to meet Alexander as he approached. The priest was joyful and told all the Temple people of the message from God.

When they knew Alexander was near, all went outward and met him at a small town called Sapha, which in Greek means “a prospect”. A large procession was waiting on Alexander and saluted Alexander with one voice. Alexander's second in command asked the king why he did not overtake the city immediately and Alexander told him that he himself had been given a dream about this moment and then he extended his hand to the high priest, and in peace entered Jerusalem, made sacrifice to God in the Temple and was well treated there.

Then the priest showed Alexander the writings of God's prophet, Daniel, which said in prophecy that a Greek would war and conquer the powerful Persians. Alexander considered this prophecy to be about himself and immediately offered peace to Jerusalem and allowed as many men as wished to join his army to do God's will, and many joined him.

Now in verse 9 a newer and different prophecy was given of another coming king, who is not surrounded by an army of men, but is lowly and riding on a a colt, the foal of a donkey. A far contrast is given here to the Greek who came before. God had long ago commanded His kings not to multiply HORSES OR WIVES, and even in this small thing, Jesus fulfilled the law.

In verse 10 God said this new king would speak peace to the nations and His dominion shall be from sea to sea to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 9:9 speaks of the first coming of Jesus while 9:10 speaks of His second coming, which will be universal.

Now in verses 11-17 the prophet is given the plan for the liberation and blessing of His chosen people and His chosen land. God said His plan was to be done because of the blood of the covenant, meaning the covenant of Moses (Exodus 24:1-8). Prisoners will be freed and hope will arrive because their fortress will be the Lord Himself. He even mentions military action to come later against the successors to Alexander by warriors from Ephraim but ultimately the prophecy ends with the promise that God will war against the enemies of Israel and this prophecy ends with the promise of grain and new wine, images of prosperity and blessing in the last days just as seen in Joel 2:28 when God promises to pour out His spirit upon His own.