Mercy in Justice

The Judgment of Nations

Our study now moves to Zechariah 9. "The last six chapters are made up of two messages probably delivered late in Zechariah’s life, and surely after the completion of the temple. These final “burdens” are filled with predictions. Some were fulfilled prior to the Messiah’s incarnation, some were fulfilled during the time of Christ’s earthly ministry, and some will only find a fulfillment in the end time when the Lord Jesus returns personally and visibly to bring about the historical manifestation of His kingdom." [1]

Zechariah 9 could well be divided as follows [2]:

              1.      The return of the king (9:1–17)
                a.      The divine warrior comes (9:1–8)
                b.      The king enters Jerusalem (9:9–11)
                c.      The king’s enemies destroyed and his people redeemed (9:12–17)

In this article we will look at vv1-8 the judgment of the nations by the warrior King.  "The oracle starts with Hadrach (9:1), an area in northern Syria that encompassed Damascus and neighboring Hamath (v. 2), after which it moves south along the coast through Tyre and Sidon (v. 2) to four of the five cities of the Philistines: Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron (v. 5), and Ashdod (v. 6)." [2]  Here we see a character of God that is far from culturally exceptable.  God is portrayed as an avenging warrior consuming all enemies in His path.  But even in this path of divine justice and wrath there is mercy. Note:

“A mongrel people will occupy Ashdod, and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines. I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God and become a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.” (Zechariah 9:6–7, NIV).  "God’s removal of these idolatrous practices is not unexpected in this section on the judgment of the Philistines. But the second part of Zech. 9: 7 introduces a surprising twist, revealing that God’s purpose is not merely the cleansing of the land but also the creation of a remnant from the Philistines . . . This remnant is not granted second-class status in Judah but is honored as leaders in Judah." [3]  We are left with the question, "Why?"   Why would God show mercy to many Philistines? We are neither told why or how, but for certain God's sovereign will, although secret, is righteous.   “For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy . . . Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.” (Romans 9:15–18, NIV)

A second act of Divine grace is seen in verse 8: “But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.” (Zechariah 9:8, NIV).  God's judgment of the nations is intended to arrive at a place of security and protection for His people -- forever.  "The supernatural and lasting protection here promised must anticipate the Second Advent of Messiah, whose coming is the subject through the rest of this message." [4]

As the previous prophecies of Zechariah anticipated the Messiah's promise to rebuild His people; and we are now made aware that concurrently He will dispose their enemies and provide everlasting protection, I am reminded of the promise of Jesus: “. . . I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18, NIV).  

 

 Father, Your terror should strike mind-blowing, body-crushing fear in us. You hate evil.  You are angry with the wicked every day.  Your holiness demands that you bring justice upon all those who fail to repent.  Yet even in the display of Your wrath, you remind us that there is mercy and protection for those of Your elect.  Apart from Your mercy, where would any of us be today.  So because of Your mercy it becomes my (our) delight to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Your service.  This is holy and this is reasonable.  Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee.  For the glory of my Savior, the eternal joy of Your Elect and the salvation of the lost.  Amen!

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1. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zec 9:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (1752). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
3. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8157-8159). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
4. The MacArthur Study Bible. 1997 (J. MacArthur, Jr., Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1350). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

The Road to Thanksgiving (An Exposition of Psalm 116) - Pt.4

In a previous Blog, I noted that the psalmist's structure was communicating a message.  He introduced his subject in verses 1-2 and now he remembers a circumstance where God intervened in his life. He contemplates that; and then follows through with a commitment to the Lord.  We see that in verses 3-9:

The Circumstance

³ The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. ⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” ⁵ The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. ⁶ The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. 

We notice the words that he uses about his crisis:

1. The cords of death entangled me.
2. The anguish of the grave came over me.
3. I was overcome by distress and sorrow

Then the psalmist prayed; and he found the Lord to be gracious, righteous and compassionate. This was a man that was in "the valley of the shadow of death."  Some may relate to this.  I have been spared.  But even the casual reader can at least envision the desperateness and severity of his condition. The psalmist finds in God saving mercies.

Contemplation

⁷ Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. 

The answer to prayer then prompts the writer to preach to himself.  Answered prayer should result in peace of mind. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7, NIV)

Commitment

⁸ For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, ⁹ that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Verses 8 and 9 pronounce this commitment. Because God has delivered him, the psalmist sees a purpose -- that being: that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. "The psalmist asserts that he will live in continual obedience to God. All of his actions will withstand God’s inspection." [1]

Again, I think there's a pattern here of worship and thanksgiving.  Reflecting on God's mercies to us ought to result in an inward solitude and outward godliness.  True thanksgiving out to be revolutionary.  

Father it is hard to relate to the near-death reality of the psalmist.  In general You have granted me a pretty safe and easy life.  But there have been many times in my life where I have called to You for help and You have answered according to Your gracious will.  The point of this psalm is that this answered prayer should bring peace and comfort to my soul and holiness to my walk.  I've never thought this way before.  This is an entirely new way of thinking.  Answered prayer deepens my love for You; brings peace to my soul and propels me to live in godliness.  May Your kindness to me never go unnoticed again.  May answered prayer be revolutionary in my life.   Help me Lord Jesus.  I love You.

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1. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ps 116:9). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

NOTE:

A. Part 1 of this article is found HERE.

B. Part 2 of this article is found HERE.

C. Part 3 of this article is found HERE.

Treatment of Children - the measure of a society

In Joel Chapter 3, the Prophet takes us to very near the end of time when God Himself calls the nations before Him in judgment.  One of the charges is that they “and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.” (Joel 3:3, ESV).  In the Commentary on theMinor Prophets, edited by Thomas McComsky, the contributor to Joel, Dr. Raymond Dillard quotes Carl Keller who wrote this profound thought:

"There is a sense in which any society can be measured by the treatment accorded its children.  In ancient Israel children, largely because they were defenseless, were the particular object of the care of God and the protection of the law. The treatment accorded Judean children by Gentile nations showed the depths of their crimes."