DEVOTIONAL

A little real talk before we unpack Zechariah 9. I procrastinated a few weeks to sit down to write and release this devotional. Part of the procrastination caused by life distractions and the other part driven by apathy thinking the chapter is a throwaway chapter with little to say. However, there is so much hope in Zechariah 9:16 that declares the promise to Israel, “On that day the Lord their God will save them.” The previous passage in Zechariah ended with God calling the Jews to feast. Zechariah 9 elaborates more about the “why” behind feasting. What happens that the Jews want to rejoice by feasting? Coming off the thanksgiving holiday, God opened my eyes to see so many reasons to feast. In the context of Zechariah, the Jews were hopeful for God to save them. And the cool thing for us on this side of the cross, we know God fulfills the promise by sending the Son of God, Jesus, to bring salvation to the Jews and the Gentiles.

In Zechariah 9, reasons for the Jews to feast unfold in three parts: judgement comes for people against God, there is an announcement of a new king, and God saves his people. Some of the words used to describe the new king to come are familiar from what I read in the Gospels. The words of prophecy in Zechariah are fulfilled in the New Testament hundreds of years later. The more I read the Bible, I love how the Holy Spirit shows me how much the Old Testament and New Testament are woven together. It tells one story. It is about one God. And every page holds good news for the people of God, the Jews and the Gentiles.

As I read the passage, I find myself relating to the Jews in Judah. There is a lot of darkness around them. Some days might be hopeless as evil overpowers good. Nations act unethically or unjustly, yet they gain greater wealth like Tyre and Sidon. They are large port cities with absolute abundance, but they do not fear God. However, Zechariah 9:4 promises the success of evil is only temporary. It reminds me of Philippians 2:9-10 that everyone will bow to Jesus which nicely transitions to the next part of the passage announcing a new king. Why does Israel need a new king? The kings before now failed to seek God and trust the steadfast love of God. What happens is God sees the darkness, it breaks his heart, and it leads God to send a new king that brings peace and salvation. God sees what Israel needs and provides like a loving father in abundance. It is better than they could ask for. Have you prayed a prayer like that? “God, things are dark and feel hopeless, please save.” Or maybe you respond to an answered prayer, “God, this is more than I could ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

The king described in Zechariah 9:9-10 is Jesus. A lot of the same verbiage is found in the Gospels. Again, the way the Bible weaves together perfectly increases my confidence that it is true. And if it is true, it is the absolute best news! The only response is to rejoice like Zechariah encourages. Sometimes I skim over too quickly my rescue of God sending King Jesus to defeat the enemy and bring peace because I know it is true. I have read the story so many times. “Oh yeah, I know that” creates apathy for a believer like me that is burned out or finding herself not desperate for God. The apathy bubbles to the surface after I decide control and self-sufficiency are enough to survive for now. I will make time for God later. All these other things in front of me are more important. And those idols turn into rocks, like my friend told me, that take up space in my heart to where there is no room for God. But do you want to know what blows my mind? God is unchanging. And what I mean by that is the God I pray to in apathy or gratitude is the same God of Israel in Zechariah 9 to promise, “I will restore” and “I will save them.” As believers, you and I are part of the flock (Ezekiel 37:15-28) that might wander, but God is patient to lead us back to the fold. How do I know? God draws me back to him in specific ways I know are just for me.

So, I hope you see Zechariah 9 is not a throwaway passage. There is hope. Evil and suffering are temporary. The enemy does not win. God sends rescue through Jesus, a new king, which we celebrate his first coming in a few weeks at Christmas. Also, we look ahead to the hope of Jesus’ second coming when all things will be restored and broken things, broken people, will be made whole. Oh yes, there are so many reasons to feast if you are the Jews hearing Zechariah for the first time or if you are like me reading it for the fifth time. God is unchanging. May you feast and rejoice this holiday season in response to the truth that God sent King Jesus to rescue and save you. It is our greatest hope.   

Q: Did you find the description of Jesus in the Gospels that is in Zechariah 9:9-10? Take some time to peruse the Gospels to see for yourself.