Journal Through the Bible: Week 99 Saturday

Zechariah 9:1-10:12

Chapter 9 begins a separate section in the book. It was probably written many years after the first 8 chapters. The first part of the chapter contains prophecies against several cities of Syria and Philistia. These prophecies came true during the conquests of Alexander the Great.

The remainder of chapter 9 contains Messianic prophecies.

Does God issue any commands?

• God told the people to rejoice because their King would come to them having salvation and riding on the foal of an ass.
• God told the people to pray for rain upon the land.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised destruction to Tyrus, and fear upon Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron.
• God promised illegitimacy to Ashdod and the cutting off of the pride of the Philistines.
• God promised to encamp around His house because of the invading army (verse 8) and defend His people (verses 13-16).
• God promised to cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem.
• God promised to render double to the prisoners of hope that turn to the stronghold.
• God promised to strengthen Judah and save the house of Joseph: He will bring them again to place them. They would greatly increase.
• God promised again to part the sea! Assyria would be brought down and the scepter of Egypt would depart.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• 9: 9 is easily identifiable. It tells of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
• Verses 10, 14-17 of chapter 9 detail what Jesus the Messiah will do in the future.
• 9:11 seems to detail the saving work of the Messiah, the "pit wherein is no water" could be descriptive of hell.
• I believe that Jesus is the stronghold of 9:12. It seems to fit the context of the passage.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The real triumph of the King over all the powers of the earth is still to come.
• The time when the multitudes from Judah and Ephraim will live peacefully in the land is yet future.