Zechariah 9 has furnished us with hope of the returning king to Jerusalem. He sweeps with might and power bring judgment on all the opposing nations. We have discussed this in two previous Blogs: HERE and HERE. The final exposition of the chapter is in verses 11-17. With verse 11 (“As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.” (Zechariah 9:11, NIV), the Lord signals a new section. With the security of Israel within and without and having established a reign, it is not time for the return of the people.
God promises to set the captives free and restore them upon the basis of “...the blood of my covenant with you . . .” (Zechariah 9:11, NIV). Some think that this is the Covenant that God made with Moses. "The "blood of my covenant with you" probably has in view the Mosaic covenant (Exod 24:3-8)." [1] Also see Note 2. Others appeal to the Abrahamic Covenant ("The nation Israel is addressed and promised by the blood of thy covenant (i.e., the Abrahamic covenant which was an unconditional covenant which was ratified by blood sacrifice, hence, the most binding of covenants—cf. Gen 15:9–18) that thy prisoners (i.e., Israelites still remaining in Babylon) will be sent forth … out of the pit wherein is no water." [3]). In either case, God is bringing His people back, not based upon merit, but by the grace within the promise, sealed with blood, granting them a full and complete restoration.
The assured victory is stated in a "bold metaphor" as God compares Himself to a warrior using Judah and Ephraim as His weapons. [1] "Protected by God, the people gain victory, not with the sophisticated weapons that have been removed from the kingdom (Zech. 9: 10) but with the lowly sling, an allusion to David’s victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17: 40, 50). The latter half of Zech. 9: 15 describes the victory in battle through images drawn from drinking and sacrifice." [4]
With the victory comes great blessing: prosperity, peace, and fullness of provisions. "Partial fulfillment of this prediction came as the Maccabees successfully won their independence from Greece in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes (175–163 B.C.). But again, the fullest meaning of the passage looks forward to the messianic reign (Rev. 20:1–6)." [5] "God’s people rest secure as sheep under His care (13:7; Ezek. 34:11–24; 37:24), and will become glorious as a result of God’s presence (2 Cor. 3:18). [6]
In the midst of this highly graphic and hopeful passage we observe that “The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.” (Zechariah 9:16, NIV).
The Gospel writers clearly saw the fulfillment of Zechariah 9 commencing and continuing through the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. Through the suffering Servant, He was installed as the reigning King over His people -- not just believing Jews, but from all nations. The New Testament is not vague about this Divinely Royal King who vanquishes His foes and is the faithful Davidic son who unites and secures His people under His gracious reign.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:13–16, NIV)
Father in this day of terror, traumas, torture, we look forward to the day of peace, prosperity and plenty. I am thankful for the Gospel that teaches us that this Day has already come, but yet it is still to come. On that Day Christ came and marched into Jerusalem, He said, "I am Your King." His rule has never been abrogated. His decree has never been repealed. Reign today in our hearts and lives, Father. Bring Your people from the Nations to the New Jerusalem, Your Church, Your Bride. Deliver death blows to the enemies crouched at Your feet. Come Lord Jesus, come. I thank you today for the Cross that does what no other device of terror could do -- bring reconciliation with God and with people. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
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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)/c. The deliverance
and blessing of Zion's people (9:11-10:1), Book Version: 4.0.2
2. "This combination of “ blood” and “covenant” constitutes an allusion to Exodus 24: 8, which describes the ceremony in which, after the reading of the Book of the Law and the acceptance of the commandments by the congregation, blood was sprinkled on the people to ratify the covenant between God and his people. 41 On the basis of this ancient covenant agreement, God promises salvation for his exiled people."- Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8253-8257). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1825–1826). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
4. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8300-8303). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
5. 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 9:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
6. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Zec 9:16). Nashville: T. Nelson.
