outline (BKC)
III. Two Revelatory Oracles (chaps. 9–14)
A. The anointed King rejected (chaps. 9–11)
1. The intervening judgments on nations surrounding Israel (9:1–8)
2. The blessings of the Messiah (9:9–10:12)
3. The rejection of the Good Shepherd and its consequences for Israel (chap. 11)
B. The rejected King enthroned (chaps. 12–14)
1. The redemption of Israel (chaps. 12–13)
2. The return of the King (chap. 14)
Overview:
v.13 我拿猶大作上弦的弓，
我拿以法蓮為張弓的箭。
錫安哪，我要激發你的眾子，
攻擊希臘的眾子，使你如勇士的刀。
13 I will bend Judah as my bow; I will load the bow with Ephraim, my arrow I will stir up your sons, Zion, against yours, Greece, and I will make you, Zion, like a warrior’s sword.
(BKC) At least this verse, and perhaps the rest of the chapter, refer to the conflict of the Maccabees (169–135 B.C.) with Antiochus IV Epiphanes (cf. Dan. 11:32; see comments on Dan. 8:9–14), Antiochus V Eupator, Antiochus VI, and Antiochus VII Sidetes, Greek rulers of Syria. This Jewish victory foreshadowed Israel’s final conflict and victory when God will bring them into millennial blessing. As the bow and arrow (that which “fills” the bow) are each essential to the other, so Judah and Ephraim (Ephraim represents the 10 Northern tribes of Israel) will be reunited. The reference to these weapons of warfare (including the warrior’s sword) indicates that God will empower His people to defeat the enemy, the sons of Greece.
v. 15 萬軍之耶和華必保護他們。
他們必吞滅仇敵，踐踏彈石； (甩石)
他們必喝血吶喊，猶如飲酒；
他們必像盛滿血的碗，
又像壇的四角滿了血。
15 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will guard them, and they will prevail and overcome with sling stones. Then they will drink and will become noisy like drunkards, full like the sacrificial basin or like the corners of the altar.
(NET) The whole setting is eschatological as the intensely figurative language shows. The message is that the LORD will assume his triumphant reign over all the earth and will use his own redeemed and renewed people Israel to accomplish that work. The imagery of v. 15 is the eating and drinking of the flesh and blood of God’s enemies, that is, Israel’s complete mastery of them. Like those who drink too much wine, the LORD’s warriors will be satiated with the blood of their foes and will exult as though drunk.
1. Messiah is legitimate and victorious v.9
Look! Your king is coming to you:
He is legitimate and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey—
legitimate=(NET) The Hebrew term צַדִּיק (tsadiq) ordinarily translated “righteous,” frequently occurs, as here, with the idea of conforming to a standard or meeting certain criteria. The Messianic king riding into Jerusalem is fully qualified to take the Davidic throne
(BKC) In the ancient Near East, if a king came in peace, he would ride on a donkey instead of on a war stallion. Christ rode on a colt, the foal (lit., “son”) of a donkey. (On the question of whether Christ rode one or two donkeys see comments on Matt. 21:2.) Like some other Old Testament prophecies this one (Zech. 9:9–10) blends two events into one perspective—events that the New Testament divides into two distinct advents of Christ separated by the present Church Age (cf. Isa. 9:6–7; 61:1–2; Luke 4:18–21). In His First Advent He rode on a donkey and presented Himself to the nation Israel but they rejected Him as their King. So His universal rule (Zech. 9:10) will be established when He comes again.
2. Messiah is able to maintain peace over the earth v.10
3. Messiah will deliver Israel from their prison v.11-17
(BKC) The immediate addressees in these verses may have been Jewish exiles still in Babylon, but the covenant-fulfillment theme suggests an ultimate reference to Israel’s end-time regathering. At least the nation’s future hope (messianic deliverance) was the basis for contemporary encouragement in Zechariah’s day
(BKC) The divine deliverance predicted here will come on that day, a reference to the end time. God will care for them as a shepherd cares for his flock (cf. 10:3). Then Israel will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown. This is a beautiful cameo of the fulfilled promises concerning the people in the land (cf. Amos 9:11–15). They will be attractive and beautiful symbols of all God has done for them. Divine blessing on nature will produce conditions of plenty (cf. Joel 2:21–27) so that physical health will also be assured (Zech. 9:17).
Reflection: After the triumphal entry Israel supposed to enjoy the universal rulership of Messiah and their own deliverance from their enemies. However, they rejected their Messiah and His universal rule and their deliverance were delayed. A welcome to the Messiah king is important when He comes. Am I ready for that?
God will empowered Israel and they would win victoriously. They will be the precious stones of a crown sparkling over His land. They will be part of God's glory. How about me? Do I use God's power to do God's work so that God will be glorified?
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