In our study of Zechariah chapter nine, we see the prophecy of Yeshua Messiah's first and second arrival into this world and the victory that he brought in both cases.
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"An Oracle"
A prophecy, the word of ADONAI: In the land of Hadrakh and Dammesek is where [God] comes to rest, for the eyes of humankind are directed toward ADONAI, as are those of all the tribes of Isra'el, also Hamat at its border, Tzor and Tzidon, for she is very wise.
We see the judgment on Israel's enemies described here and it starts in the north in the country of Syria. This judgement will get the attention of Israel and all of the rest of humanity. We also see Hamat which is a location near the Golan Heights between Jordan and Syria as well as locations in Lebanon.
Tzor built herself a fortified tower, heaping up silver as if it were dust and fine gold as if it were mud in the streets. But Adonai will dispossess her and break her power at sea, while the city itself will be destroyed by fire.
We see that Tyre will not want to repent and will use their wealth to try to build a fortress for themselves in hopes of avoiding this judgement. We see that the city is going to be consumed by fire which speaks of a last days judgement.
On seeing this, Ashkelon will be terrified; 'Azah too will writhe in pain; likewise 'Ekron, as her hopes are dashed. "The king will vanish from 'Azah, Ashkelon will be without people, and a mixed people will live in Ashdod, as I destroy the pride of the P'lishtim.
Now, we see Philistine cities and, as they see the judgement on Tyre, they are terrified and their government vanishes. The mixed people is better translated as foreigners and, in this case, it is speaking of the people of Israel and the fact that they will inhabit the cities of the Philistines. Today, the city of Ashdod is a Jewish city and, in fact, it is the fifth largest city in the nation of Israel. In this, we see that some of this prophecy has been fulfilled which gives us assurance that the rest will come to pass. Philistines is the proper name for the people that are commonly called Palestinians today and we see that they are going to be humbled in the last days.
I will end their eating meat with its blood still in it, snatching the disgusting things from between their teeth." But the surviving remnant will belong to our God; it will be like a clan in Y'hudah; and 'Ekron will be like a Y'vusi.
Here, we see their idolatry as they drank blood and God promises that there will be a remnant of them that will repent and accept the word of God.
"Then I will guard my house against armies, so that none will march through or return. No oppressor will ever again overrun them, for now I am watching with my own eyes.
Now, we see that God says he will guard the temple and the city of Jerusalem.
Rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Tziyon! Shout out loud, daughter of Yerushalayim! Look! Your king is coming to you. He is righteous, and he is victorious. Yet he is humble - he's riding on a donkey, yes, on a lowly donkey's colt.
Zechariah tells us of the first coming of Yeshua Messiah and calls the Jewish people to celebrate the coming. Kings rode donkeys during peacetime or when they were going to an enemy to offer terms of peace. That is exactly what Yeshua was doing when he rode into Jerusalem on that donkey. The terms of this peace deal between the Jews and God were that they would have to accept Yeshua as their Messiah and that he would lay down his life for them. That same peace deal is extended to all of us today but we have to accept the terms that were presented for our salvation.
I will banish chariots from Efrayim and war-horses from Yerushalayim." The warrior's bow will be banished, and he will proclaim peace to the nations. He will rule from sea to sea, and from the [Euphrates] River to the ends of the earth.
In this first coming, Yeshua did not bring an army but he spoke peace to the world and we see that this offer of peace is presented to the entire world.
"Also you, by the blood of your covenant, I release your prisoners from [the dungeon,] the cistern that has no water in it.
We see that those who have a covenant relationship with God will be freed from the persecution that they suffer.
Return to the stronghold, you prisoners with hope! This day I declare to you that I will grant you double reparation.
In this verse, we see a promise of the second coming of Messiah.
For I have bent Y'hudah as my bow and made Efrayim its arrow. I will rouse your sons, Tziyon, and make you like a warrior's sword against your sons, Greece."
This verse speaks of the weapons of warfare (bow and arrow) and the fact that God will prepare his people for the battle that is to come in the last days. As we have seen in other studies concerning the last days, the reference to Greece is speaking about Europe and the fact that the anti-christ will come out of Europe.
ADONAI will appear over them, and his arrow will flash like lightning. Adonai ELOHIM will blow the shofar and go out in the whirlwinds of the south. ADONAI-Tzva'ot will defend them; they will devour and trample the sling-stones. They will drink and roar as if they had drunk wine; they will be filled, like basins and like the corners of the altar.
The trumpet was used to call God's people to move in the wilderness. Now, we see that, at this second coming, he is going to call his people once again to move out and he is going to judge the enemy.
On that day ADONAI their God will save them as the flock of his people; for they will be like gems in a crown, sparkling over his countryside.
God's people will be victorious. The "slingstones" are the same as the white stones promised to the church in Pergamum (see Revelation 3:17). As we see there, these stones have the name of Yeshua written on them and that name is our weapon to overcome evil. We also see the presence of the Holy Spirit powering God's people on to victory. This is evident by the phrase "roar as with wine" which speaks of what happened when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (see Acts 2:13). We see that these warriors are full of the righteousness of God because of the blood of Yeshua just like the "bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar". It is the presence of God with these people that produces the victory and we will indeed shine in the land when the enemy is defeated.
What wealth is theirs, what beauty! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.
Just as Yeshua provided this victory, He will also provide for our every need. No longer will we have to work for our food and drink.
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