Israel Defended Against Enemies
“The burden of the word of the Lord against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus its resting place (For the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the Lord); also against Hamath, which borders on it, and against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. For Tyre built herself a tower, heaped up silver like the dust, and gold like the mire of the streets. Behold, the Lord will cast her out; He will destroy her power in the sea, and she will be devoured by fire.
Ashkelon shall see it and fear; Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; and Ekron, for He dried up her expectation. The king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
“A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. I will take away the blood from his mouth, and the abominations from between his teeth. But he who remains, even he shall be for our God, and shall be like a leader in Judah, and Ekron like a Jebusite. I will camp around My house because of the army, because of him who passes by and him who returns. No more shall an oppressor pass through them, for now I have seen with My eyes.
The Coming King
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.’
God Will Save His People
“As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. For I have bent Judah, My bow, fitted the bow with Ephraim, and raised up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and made you like the sword of a mighty man.”
Then the Lord will be seen over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord God will blow the trumpet, and go with whirlwinds from the south. The Lord of hosts will defend them; they shall devour and subdue with slingstones. They shall drink and roar as if with wine; they shall be filled with blood like basins, like the corners of the altar. The Lord their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land—For how great is its goodness and how great its beauty! Grain shall make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.”
God is promising more wonderful things to the people of Jerusalem.
- God promises to defeat Judah’s enemies – Hadrach, Damascus, Hamath, Tyre, Sidon, and the cities of the Philistines Ashkelon, Gaza, Ashdod, Ekron. “A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod…” Such a development would shame the Philistines who prided themselves on their pure blood. God promises to protect the Jews. “No more shall an oppressor pass through them, for now I have seen with My eyes.”
- Messiah is coming! “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.’ When describing Palm Sunday, John quoted these verses to prove that Jesus was fulfilling this prophecy. (John 12:15)
- Finally, God promises to save His people. “The Lord their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land—For how great is its goodness and how great its beauty!”
For centuries, Jews around the world have contemplated these verses and have begged God for their fulfillment. Christians believe that Jesus the Messiah has already come, but these verses are yet to be completely fulfilled. On the other hand, considering the large number of missiles striking Israel daily, it appears that God really IS protecting Israel.
APPLICATION: There are many people who wonder if the prophecies in the Bible have ever come true. Part of this chapter describes the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The unusual details are completely fulfilled. Other parts of this chapter may be in the process of fulfillment even as we are reading this. God fulfills His promises every time. What does this mean for us?
There are many promises throughout the Bible. At any given time, one or more of these promises may apply to our situation. How can we know if we can safely apply a promise? First of all, pray and ask God to give you His peace about that promise. Then look at your situation. Can you apply the promise without twisting either your situation or the wording of the Bible? If the promise still stands, then claim it and thank God for giving it to you!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You for Your precious promises. Lead us to the promises that we need and help us to apply them honestly and faithfully. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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