July 21, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Zechariah Chapter 9

¹ The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord.

² And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

³ And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.

⁴ Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.

⁵ Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

⁶ And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

⁷ And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.

⁸ And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.

⁹ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

¹⁰ And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

¹¹ As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

¹² Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;

¹³ When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.

¹⁴ And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

¹⁵ The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.

¹⁶ And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

¹⁷ For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Zechariah Chapter 9 is divided into two main sections: the purification of Judah’s pagan neighbors (verses 1-8) and the promise of the Messianic kingdom of peace (verses 9-17). This section is rich in prophetic symbolism and contains significant predictions about the future of Israel and the surrounding nations.

Purification of Judah’s Pagan Neighbors (Verses 1-8) In the first eight verses, Zechariah describes God’s judgment on the pagan neighbors of Judah, beginning with Damascus and other cities like Tyre, Sidon, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod. These prophecies demonstrate God’s power and judgment over the nations that have opposed Israel.

• Verses 1-2: These verses emphasize that God watches over both people and the tribes of Israel. Hadrach and Damascus are mentioned, with a particular focus on Damascus.

• Verses 3-4: Tyre is rebuked for its wealth and fortifications. Despite its strength, God will break its power and destroy it with fire.

• Verses 5-7: Other cities like Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron will tremble with fear as their hope is destroyed. God will purify the Philistines from their abominable practices, so they may become a remnant for God.

• Verse 8: God promises to protect His house from hostile armies so that no oppressor will ever overrun His people again.

Promise of the Messianic Kingdom of Peace (Verses 9-17) The second half of the chapter contains a remarkable prophecy about the coming Messiah and the kingdom of peace He will bring.

• Verse 9: This well-known prophecy describes the humble king riding on a donkey. This is a clear prediction of Jesus Christ, who entered Jerusalem in this manner (Matthew 21:5).

• Verse 10: The Messiah will end war and teach peace among the nations. His reign will extend over the entire earth.

• Verses 11-12: Through God’s covenant, prisoners will be set free. These verses speak of a return to safety and the promise of double blessings.

• Verses 13-15: God will use Judah and Ephraim as His weapons to defeat His enemies. He will protect and make His people victorious.

• Verses 16-17: These verses use the imagery of a shepherd and his flock. God will save His people, and they will shine like precious stones in His land. The provision and prosperity of the people are emphasized.

Conclusion Zechariah Chapter 9 combines a strong message of judgment against Israel’s enemies with a wonderful promise of restoration and peace through the coming Messiah. The announcement of the humble, righteous king on a donkey highlights the expectation of a kingdom of peace that extends far beyond the borders of Israel. This chapter encourages believers to trust in God’s ultimate victory and the fulfillment of His promises.

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 49: At the Feast of Tabernacles

This chapter is based on John 7:1-15, 37-39.

Read online here

Commentary

The Feast of Tabernacles, as described in John 7, was a significant celebration in the Jewish calendar. Three times a year, the Jews were to gather in Jerusalem to worship the Lord, who had led them through the wilderness. After the Babylonian captivity, they were able to resume this practice, and it became very important to celebrate these memorial days. However, over time, the religious leaders had forgotten the original purpose of the festivals. Christ, who had instituted these festivals, recognized this and showed that they had lost their meaning.

The Feast of Tabernacles was the last of the annual festivals and was meant to remind Israel of God’s goodness and grace. During this time, the land was flooded with God’s blessings. The harvest had been gathered, olives had been harvested, and grapes had been pressed. For seven days, people from all parts of the land and from other countries came to Jerusalem to celebrate and thank God for His goodness. They lived in booths made of green branches to remember the tent life in the wilderness.

The festival was celebrated with spiritual songs and prayers of thanksgiving. The great Day of Atonement, which had been observed shortly before, had brought peace to the hearts and prepared the way for the joyful Feast of Tabernacles. The temple was the center of the celebrations, and the sacrificial ceremonies reached their peak. At night, artificial light illuminated the temple, and the splendor of the celebration deeply impressed those present.

A significant ritual during the festival was drawing water from the Pool of Siloam, which symbolized quenching the thirst of Israel in the wilderness. This symbolized the spiritual thirst that Christ intended to satisfy. When Jesus told his brothers that His time had not yet come, He showed that He was guided not by human expectations but by divine timing.

Jesus eventually came to Jerusalem in the middle of the feast and taught in the temple. His wisdom and knowledge of the law amazed everyone. Despite the hostility of the religious leaders, He spoke boldly and persuasively. On the last day of the feast, He cried out loudly: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink!” This was an invitation to satisfy spiritual thirst through faith in Him.

Jesus was aware of the needs of the people and offered to quench their inner thirst. His invitation still stands today: anyone who is thirsty can come to Him and take the water of life freely. His words offer comfort, hope, and refreshment to all who recognize Him as the true Messiah.

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 50: Among Snares

This chapter is based on John 7:16-36, 40-53; John 8:1-11.

Read online here

Commentary

Based on John 7:16-36, 40-53, and John 8:1-11, this chapter describes the increasing hostility of the Jewish leaders towards Jesus. During the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus was constantly surrounded by priests and Pharisees who tried to trap him. They questioned his authority and attempted to discredit his teaching.

Jesus responded to them with the words: “My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me” (John 7:16). He made it clear that the ability to recognize the truth depends less on the mind and more on the heart. A person must be willing to submit their will to God to truly grasp the truth. The Pharisees lacked this willingness, which is why they could not understand his teaching.

Jesus revealed their evil intentions by exposing their thoughts and reminding them that they were breaking the law by plotting his death. Although they wanted to kill him, they were hindered by an invisible power. Many people began to believe in Jesus, but the religious leaders remained stubborn in their unbelief.

Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, asked the question: “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” (John 7:51). This question silenced the accusers, and Jesus escaped immediate danger.

The next morning, Jesus was interrupted in the temple by scribes and Pharisees who brought a woman accused of adultery before him. They tried to trap Jesus: if he freed the woman, they could accuse him of disregarding the law; if he condemned her, they could report him to the Romans. But Jesus wisely responded by saying, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). The accusers shamefully withdrew, and Jesus freed the woman and encouraged her to sin no more.

This episode shows the deep grace and mercy of Jesus. He did not condemn the woman but gave her a new chance. This stands in stark contrast to the religious leaders, who were only focused on condemnation and punishment. Jesus demonstrated that true justice is linked with mercy and forgiveness. His words and actions reveal that he came to save, not to condemn.

The story urges us not to judge but to show mercy and give others a second chance. It highlights the difference between a superficial, self-righteous religion and a genuine faith characterized by love. Jesus invites us to be his followers by reflecting his mercy and love in our lives.

0

0