A Burden for Israel’s Border Nations

Bible Text: Zechariah 9:1-8 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2009, Zechariah

Intro

            We are entering the last major section of the book.  Chs. 1-6 dealt with 8 visions in which Zechariah relayed to the Jews both the character of God and the spiritual character they should have in building the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.

In chs. 7-8 we have the prophet addressing the defective nature of their worship as seen in the self-centered nature of their fasting.  Then he tells them about the jealous love of God that will one day fulfill His covenant blessings to them in a glorious way when God will dwell in their midst.

Now in chs. 9-14 we have a series of “burdens” or “oracles” that communicates themes of both judgment and salvation.  This word occurs in 9:1 and 12:1 and they introduce major portions of this final section of the book.

Zechariah and the NT Gospels.

Poetry vs. prose.

JUDGMENT AND SALVATION (v. 1).

 

Judgment – The “word of the Lord” is against .  .  .

Salvation – “the eyes of men, esp. of all the tribes of Israel, are toward the LORD”

 

JUDGMENT ON THE BORDER NATIONS (vv. 1-6).

 

Hadrach –

 

           Damascus –

The result is that “the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the Lord.”

 

Hamath –

 

Tyre and Sidon –  Tyre was famous for her mighty fortifications (v. 3).

 

13 yr. siege by Nebuchadnezzar

 

7 month siege by Alexander the Great, 332 BC.

 

Philistine cities –

Ashkelon

Gaza – “the king shall perish from Gaza” (v. 5).

Ekron

Ashdod

 

III. SALVATION GRANTED TO THE PHILISTINES (v. 7).

 

Remove “blood from their mouth” –

 

They will become a “remnant for our God, like a clan in Judah, like a Jebusite.”

 

JERUSALEM IS PROTECTED (v. 8).

 

God will be like a sentry around his people, and will post Himself as a guard to defend and protect her.

 

Final fulfillment at second coming.

 

WHAT IS GOD TEACHING ISRAEL THROUGH THESE TEMPORAL JUDGMENTS ON HER ENEMIES?

 

1)

 

2)

 

3)

 

4)