Nov. 20, 2005

 

  We now come to the first of the series of Messianic prophecies uniquely found in ch.9-14.  Ch.9:9 marvelously expresses the delight and exhilaration to accompany the arrival of the long-awaited Anointed One.  As much as vs.1-7 was dark and foreboding, verses 9-10 are in contrast with brightness and delight.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem” –this is Hebrew parallelism used to emphasize the exultation that Israel should have in view of this important arrival. 

  “Behold, your King is coming to you..” – the words “your” and “you” obviously apply to the people of Israel who are to anticipate such an event—

see Isa.9:6-7, Amos 9:11 & Micah 5:2.  The words “to you” have the idea of

for your benefit.

   Four things are stated in describing Him:

“he is just”- or righteous—this is due to His passion for the Law- see

Psa.40:6-10—His impeccability is revealed in the NT as well- Heb. 4:15, 7:26.

matching His status as a king- II Sam.23:3.  This righteousness or justice is

also seen in Isa.42:18-21 as well as 42:3-4.

 

“having salvation”- He is the One who delivers or rescues—see 14:3-4 in His 2^nd Advent.  As Savior, this King provides all facets of deliverance: spiritual

as well as physical.  He is the fulfillment of the Seed of the Woman who will

bruise the head of the serpent (Gen.3:15), thereby, rectifying the harm and damage brought on by Adam’s sin.  Thus, He may be addressed as “Savior”-

Titus 2:12 and 3:6 and Luke 2:11.

 

“lowly and riding on a donkey..”- while His personal character is without

sin, he is also humble and meek –Matt. 11:29, 20:26-28.  This meekness is

expressed well in his washing of the feet of His disciples- John 13:1-8 as well

as His behavior under the brutality of the soldiers- John 19:1-4

 

(vs.10) “he shall speak peace to the nations”- as God worked wrath thru

Alexander in vs.1-8, so God will work peace thru this King of Israel.  He will

herald in an era of political and personal peace for mankind.  The demilitarizing

of Israel (“cut off the chariot from Ephraim and horse from Jerusalem”)

is because He institutes justice which, in turn, brings peace.  This is following

His 2^nd Advent—Isa. 2:4, 11:4-5, Rev. 20:4-6, Joel 3:1-17.

  Further the text declares the universality of His rule—“His dominion shall be

from sea to sea”- a term to indicate the world-wide nature of His rule—similar terms in Isa.9:7 “of the increase of His gov’t and peace there will be no end”

and 11:9 “earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea”.  The King of Israel will exercise power over the nations producing the elimination of war and conflict during the 1000 year reign—Rev.20:6, then vs.7

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reveals the last attempt by Satan and is characterized as a belligerent  effort

in vs.8-10. 

   There will be widespread adjustment in industry as businesses committed to the implements of war will instead produce agricultural equipment-see Isa.2:4 “beat their swords into plowshares”.  But the major reason for international peace will be (1) a serious elimination of corrupt leadership by replacing it with believers of the church age (as rewards)- Luke 12:37-44, Matt. 25:14-30, I Cor. 6:2-3 and Rev.2:26-27 as well as the righteous rule of the Savior Himself- Rev.11:15-18 and 19:15.  (2) Satan will be restrained (see above) as well as

his spirits (Zech.13:2), thus removing agitation and seducing of humans

(3) the national conversion of Israel has a beneficial effect on the nations-

Micah 7:14-20, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Ezkekiel 36-37 and Romans 11:11-12.

(4) Gentiles will seek spiritual help from Israel- Zech. 8:20-23.