Rejoice in the Coming King

Some things that appear dangerous are actually much less hazardous than their safer-looking alternative. Commercial airline travel, for instance, is 30 times safer than transportation by car. It may not seem that way to the person who would rather fight rush hour traffic on the g … More

Safety

It is probably best to understand these verses as a prophetic description of the Lord’s march south to Jerusalem destroying the traditional enemies of Israel. As history shows the agent of the Lord’s judgment was Alexander the Great. He advanced on the war horse south from Syria conquering city after city. This great and powerful monarch of Greece swept triumphantly around the edge of Israel and Judah, fought in Egypt and then returned to Greece. The cities mentioned in this scripture felt the devastating weight of His power.

God’s curse falls on the land of Hadrach and Domascees (v. 1). Next to be doomed is Hamath and Tyre and Zedon (vv. 2-4) who were proud, wealthy, and powerful seaports of Phoenicia, northwest of Palestine. Askelon saw it happen and was filled with fear. Gaya huddled in desperation and Ekron and Ashdod shook with terror but they were all dashed to pieces (v. 5-7).

The beloved people of Judah were spared from Alexander’s savage attack because God was her defense. He said, I will surround my Temple like a guard to keep invading armies from entering Israel. I am closely watching their movements and I will keep them away so no foreign oppressors will overcome my peoples land (v. 8). We see once more how God looks with favor on His chosen people (vv. 9-10). Verse 9 was clearly fulfilled in Christ’s first coming, but verse 10 can now be seen to refer to His second coming.

Application

I know that the safest place for me to be is in the center of God’s will. He is not going to let anything happen to me that is not a part of His sovereign will for my life. I just need to make sure that I am doing His will and not doing what I want to do.

Zechariah 9:1-10 (English Standard Version)


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