Zechariah (9)

Here is what our small group pondered when we worked through Zechariah Chapter 9, maybe there is something here for you:

Our text is Zechariah Chapter 9.

I think chapters 9 – 11 probably form a unit of thought, within which are varying movements. Note the wording of 9:1, “The burden (or oracle) of the word of the LORD”; then note 12:1, “The burden of the word of the LORD.” My point is that this phrase indicates the beginning of a large unit, or series of movements, and that 9:1 commences one series that culminates at 11:17; 12:1 commences another unit which takes us to the end of the book. As always, let’s recall that there were no chapters or verses in the original manuscripts – chapters and verses were added about 1,000 years ago (+/-) to help us reference passages – this was before Google.

Chapters 9 – 11, and then 12 – 14 are similar to chapters 1 – 6 in the sense that in chapters 1 – 6 we have vision after vision, with the visions interconnecting. In chapters 9 – 11 and 12 – 14 we have emphasis after emphasis with these varying areas of focus interconnecting. It’s like a kaleidoscope – the colored glass is the same but the patterns change.

If we really want to come close to having a handle on Zechariah the best advice I can give is to read it again and again and again and watch for the patterns. This is pretty much the same with a book like Revelation (or Daniel), the patterns repeat themselves and as the patterns become more familiar the more we’ll see, both as we read Zechariah and as we read the entire Bible. As they say in NASCAR, “There ain’t no substitute for ‘seat time’.”

In Chapter 9 we see the “world”, the people of God, and the Messiah saving and delivering His people – and since the NT teaches us that in Christ there is now “one people” (Ephesians 2:11 – 3:7 as an example) I see these passages as applicable to all generations, including our generation.

In 9:1 – 7 the “word of the LORD” focuses on a number of kingdoms and peoples immediately surrounding Israel and Judah. We could study any one of these kingdoms in its historical setting, and some receive a lot of attention in the Bible, especially Tyre – which is often a representation of the throne of darkness (you can read Ezekiel chapters 27 and 28 if you want to see an example of this. If you do read Ezekiel Chapter 28 note the unusual nature of verses 11 – 19).

All of the peoples listed in Zechariah Chapter 9 personify opposition to the Kingdom of God; the spiritual descendants of these peoples are undoubtably with us today.

Just as Israel and Judah faced opposition, the Church faces opposition today. Just as in the time of Zechariah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple there was opposition to the work of God in His People, there is opposition to the work of God in His people today.

What are the forms of opposition the Church faces today? How are we responding to that as individuals? Our marriages and families? Our congregations?

In Zechariah 9:8 – 17 we see that God not only will be with His People, but that the ultimate outcome of God working in and through His People will be peace for the nations.

Compare verse 9:10 with Zechariah 2:11 and Matthew 28:18 – 20.

God in Christ is on mission to the peoples of the earth and He has commanded us to join Him in that mission. How are we fulfilling Christ’s command in Matthew 28 to “go”?

Are we and our congregations teaching others to “obey all that He has commanded us”? Are we and our congregations living under the authority of the Bible, God’s Word? Are we teaching others to live under that Authority?

I include our congregations in these questions because we are called to live in community with other disciples, and our churches (communities) are called to live in submission to God’s Word. In Revelation chapters 2 – 3 Christ judged local churches – just as nations are judged, churches are judged; Christ even says that He will remove churches that do not repent, and Peter writes that “judgment begins at the household of God” (1 Peter 4:17). Churches that lack the willingness to be self-critical in the light of God’s Word and by the help of the Holy Spirit are churches that are not going to grow in Christ, and that will atrophy – if not ultimately depart from the faith.

  

Compare 9:9 with Matthew 21:5, John 12:15. On Palm Sunday the crowds cheered Jesus, on Good Friday they crucified Him. Can we see ourselves in this?

Do we recognize Jesus when He comes to us in an old VW Beetle? Would we recognize Him if He drove onto our church parking lot in a rusted Yugo? Why or why not?

Compare 9:16 with Isaiah 62:3. Consider 2 Timothy 2:10 and 1 Timothy 4:16. God in Christ sees His People as precious and valuable, Paul says to Timothy that he suffers for the sake of the people of God, and he tells Timothy that Timothy is to be careful how he lives and teaches so that others will come to salvation.

Are we living for the salvation of others? Are we living for the sake of our brothers and sisters? (See 1 John 3:16).

Or do we see our lives as our own that we can do with as we please?

How are we responding to Jesus’ words in Mark 8:34 – 38?