Main Idea: The Lord will bring salvation and peace through His coming King.
A Look at the Text:
God gave Zechariah a new oracle in chapter 9 that largely concerned the nations.
The eyes of God were watching all of mankind and would bring judgment upon Hadrach, Damascus, and Hamath in the north (Zech. 9:1-2). Even more, God’s hand would be against the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon, and Tyre’s great prosperity would be taken away (Zech. 9:2-4). The cities of the Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod, would likewise stand under His judgment (Zech. 9:5-7).
But contrasting the nations, the people of Jerusalem could rejoice. For a king was coming to them (Zech. 9:9). Although he wouldn’t come as a king traditionally would.
He would come seated on a donkey and would bring peace. Through him, the Lord would cut off chariots and war horses from amongst His people, for they wouldn’t be needed anymore (Zech. 9:10). The king’s rule would be throughout the earth (Zech. 9:10). The Lord would appear over His people and act on their behalf (Zech. 9:14). He would save His people as His flock (Zech. 9:16).
Bringing it Home:
The eyes of God being upon all mankind is good news for those who are with Him and bad news for those opposed to His purposes. For a day of peace is going to come, but for some, that peace will be accomplished through judgment.
God promised a king would come to Jerusalem who would come in righteousness and bring salvation. The New Testament reveals without any hint of doubt that this was fulfilled through Jesus Christ at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:5; John 12:15).
Yet the final time of peace is still awaited.
Christ came once in humility, seated atop a donkey. He came to save from sin, not from earthly tyrants. At present, the war horse and the chariot are still with us, albeit in modernized, more deadly forms. Universal peace has yet to be established. However, that doesn’t mean that peace will not come.
As we look to the end of the Bible, we know that a day is on God’s calendar when Christ will return once more. However, He will not be coming humbly but in glory. He will not be riding a donkey but a white horse from heaven (Rev. 19:11-16).
He will come down and bring universal peace. All will either submit to Him or be destroyed. In the end, all weapons of war will be destroyed because they will no longer be needed. In the new Jerusalem, gates aren’t even locked because it’s a place of perfect, eternal peace (Rev. 21:25).
The King will return. The day of final peace will dawn. His first coming sealed the promise. His second coming will bring it to completion.
Challenge:
Do I think universal peace is achievable apart from Jesus Christ?