| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @December 21, 2023 | ESV (2016) | ESV Prophets Plan 2023 |
Pericopes
- Judgment on Israel’s Enemies
- The Coming King of Zion
- The Lord Will Save His People
Notes/Application
Zechariah proclaims an oracle that the Gentile nations will be judged and that God “has an eye on mankind and all the tribes of Israel” (Zech. 9:1). Wealthy Tyre will be stripped of her possessions but, in a striking reversal, her cities will also be a remnant of God, a measure of divine compassion. God will return to dwell in the temple and protect His people from foreign nations. The people are called to rejoice at the coming King, “humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). Military power will no longer be needed and God will set the captives free because of “the blood of my covenant” (Zech. 9:11). The “prisoners of hope” (Zech. 9:12) were to return to their stronghold: the Lord. God will save them “as the flock of his people” (Zech. 9:16) and be as “jewels of a crown” that shine on His land. His goodness and beauty will cause young men and women to flourish.
There are so many things to point to the details of Christ’s first advent in this chapter. Instead of riding a mule (common for kings at the time), He would be riding a donkey, signifying unexpected humility and recognized as fulfilled by Jesus’ triumphal entry in Matt. 21:5 and John 12:15.. In Zech. 9:11, God also speaks of the “blood of my covenant with you”, a sentiment expressed by Jesus at the Lord’s Supper of the covenant in His blood in Luke 22:20. On that day, God will save them “as the flock of his people” (Zech. 9:16), pointing to Jesus at our Great Shepherd. And to all of this, the people were called to “Rejoice greatly” and “shout aloud” (Zech. 9:9), a response appropriate for us as we reflect on the arrival of our Lord this Christmas season. What a joy it was to read this today, seeing and celebrating the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus and that our Savior has come.
Scripture Journal Notes
Commentaries & Resources Used
- ESV Study Bible. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (Guardian Press, 1976)
- The Bible: A Reader’s Guide (Sterling Publishing, 2011)
- The Infographic Bible (Zondervan, 2018)
- ESV Digital Scripture Journal (Crossway, 2019)