Zechariah 9

Prophecy against Syria and the Philistines (vs. 1-8)—As I’ve noted in earlier minor prophets posts, a lot of the prophets have “burdens” against foreign powers. In this case, Zechariah pronounces doom against two of Israel’s ancient enemies, Syria and Philistia. The “Hadrach” of verse 1 is a valley near Damascus, and “Hamath” (v. 2) “borders on it.” It’s interesting, in verse 1, “For the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD.” Is Jehovah going to punish these wicked peoples or not? I suppose we could ask the same thing today about some of the evil cities of our generation, and the answer would be the same—“yes,” but in God’s own time. Tyre and Sidon thought they were invincible (v. 3), but the Lord would destroy them. The other great cities of the Philistines, Gaza, Ekron, Ashkelon, and Ashdod, would also come in for destruction: “I will cut off the pride of the Philistines” (v. 6). Tyre and Sidon were subdued by Alexander the Great some 150-200 years after Zechariah wrote (it’s hard to pinpoint the date of this part of his prophecy). Some of the cities mentioned above were actually destroyed before the days of Zechariah, which have led some to conclude that somebody else, perhaps Jeremiah or Hosea, wrote this section of the book. That’s possible, I suppose, but it seems more likely to me that Zechariah is speaking, in effect, in the “prophetic past”; these things have already happened as a warning to other cities who rebel against God, in this case, Tyre and Sidon. It’s not a major point.

The coming King (vs. 9-17)—This section is definitely Messianic, as verse 9 refers to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. A very clear statement of that event. He will establish a peaceful kingdom. “I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem”—the ending of spiritual war (see also Isaiah 2 and Micah 4), and “He shall speak peace to the nations” (v. 10). The “nations” are the Gentiles; Christ is our peace (John 14:27; 16:33; Eph. 2:14). He will also rule universally: “His dominion shall be 'from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth'" (v. 10). He is indeed King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim. 6:15), and has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). Prisoners and captives (spiritual) will be set free from hopeless circumstances (“waterless pit,” v. 11), and blessings will be doubled (v. 12). God’s people will be exalted against those who oppose them (v. 13). He will lead them and fight for them and defend them (vs. 14-15), and they shall be victorious. He will save them and exalt them (v. 16). God’s goodness and beauty are “great” (v. 17), and youth will thrive and prosper (v. 17). Some of this is pretty difficult, and there are those who think the reference to Judah, Ephraim, and Greece in verse 13 make much of this passage literal, because, indeed, the Jews did have to deal with Greek oppression for a couple of centuries. But the context begins with a Messianic reference (v. 9), and I don’t see a change to literalness anywhere, so I’m sticking with a spiritual interpretation for the Christian age. Zechariah is one of the most difficult prophets to understand, and the next five chapters aren’t going to be any easier.