See .... Your King! You Didn't Recognize Him? Let me tell you why ....

The King Enters Jerusalem

Zechariah's writing is very apocalyptic and eschatological.  That means that it is cryptic, figurative (in a sense) and points towards distant events.  But it also has a real and relative message to the Jewish exiles to continue to build the Temple.  Zechariah's point is that by believing in a real and future hope, this would excite and energize the exiles in their building program.

As noted previously, Chapter 9 informs us of the returning king to Jerusalem.  He sweeps with might and power bring judgment on all the opposing nations.  In verses 9-10, he enters Jerusalem.  The passage is familiar to Christians:

⁹ Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ¹⁰ I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

"Verses 7-8 in particular form a transition to vv.9-10, which the Talmud and the Midrashim take as messianic. The treatment here likewise classifies vv.9-10 as "direct" messianic prophecy, though some prefer the "typical" category." [1]   This King comes in start contrast to other conquering kings. It is not that he is only victorious.  He is righteous.  He is just.  He comes in humility, not trusting in the weaponry of war.  

"This verse appears to assume the royal tradition of Genesis 49: 10– 11, 31 in which Judah will produce a king for Israel who will ride on a “donkey . . . colt.” 32 This use of donkey imagery for a royal procession can also be traced into the reign of David (2 Sam . 16: 2) and the coronation ceremony of Solomon (1 Kings 1: 33, 38)." [2]   His reign is peaceful and universal.  Particularly He proclaims peace to the "nations" -- the gōyim, the Gentiles, nations, non-Jews.  This is clearly none other that the Son of David, Christ the Lord. "The gospel writers quote this verse, applying it to our Lord’s earthly life, particularly to the so-called Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (cf. Mt 21:5, Mk 11:9; Jn 12:15)." [3]

"The form in Zechariah 9:10 is identical to that found in Psalm 72: 8-11, where the extent of the king’s rule reveals global domination.” [4]   When we read and understand the New Testament we see that opposite to what we expect, the Kingdom of Jesus although present and inaugurated, is in fact realized incrementally.  Indeed when Christ did come to Jerusalem, the Divine commentary was “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1:11, NIV).   So it was not ethnic Israel -- Israel after the flesh that received Him, but the True Israel -- the Church. To the Church, He is King.

All glory laud and honor

To Thee Redeemer King

To whom the lips of children

Made sweet hosannas ring

Thou art the King of Israel

Thou David's royal Son

Who in the Lord's name comest

The King and Blessed One [5]

Father the talk of kingdoms, reign, rule, subjection, submission, obeisance; along with the talk of war, conquest, punishment and destruction seems so politically incorrect -- almost antithetical to what we think of when we consider Christianity. But none of this offensive; it is all but delight, when the cake is iced with reality that our conquering, ruling King is Jesus.  He comes with peace and salvation.  He comes with humility and grace.  But He comes.  He comes to rule.  He comes to rule the Universe.  All the billions of galaxies and all the billions of people will bow and confess to Him that He is Lord.  We may bow today.  Jesus You are Lord.  Jesus You are my Lord.  I gladly confess You as my King.  My confession doesn't make You my King.  My confession acknowledges that I am conquered, defeated subject who enjoys happiness that is unspeakable and hope that is incomprehensible.  Thank you for the Holy Spirit who spoke peace and life into my heart, awakened me to the Savior and granted me the grace to believe in faith that You are who You say You are; and You will do what You say You will do.  Praise the King.  Hallelujah. 

_____________________________________________

1. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/V. Two Prophetic Oracles: The Great Messianic Future and the Full Realization of the Theocracy (9:1-14:21)/A. The First Oracle: The Advent and Rejection of the Messiah (9:1-11:17)/1. The advent of the messianic King (9:1-10:12)/b. The advent of Zion's King (9:9-10), Book Version: 4.0.2

2. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8213-8216). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1825). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

4. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8235-8238). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

5. John Mason Neale | Melchior Teschner | Theodulph Of Orleans © Words: Public Domain