Summary of Zechariah 9
The Lord comes against Israel’s enemies. Never again will an oppressor overrun God’s people. The king (Jesus) will come to Israel, riding on a donkey. The Lord will appear, overcome, and save His people. He grants them victory, beauty, and abundance, restoring their strength and joy.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21 Day 2: Zechariah 9
3a) God revealed grace by offering salvation even to enemies. After judging nations like Philistia, He promised a “remnant” would belong to Him, integrated like leaders in Judah. Simultaneously, He showed grace to Israel by personally encamping around His house as a protector, ensuring no oppressor would ever overrun them again.
b) God has always been with me in the troubling times, and although the times are heavy and hard, they do eventually pass, leading to brighter times in my life.
c) Honestly, the whole passage is encouraging! God is with me, He is my shelter, He will save me, and cover me, I will not fear, He holds me in His hands, etc. God is always there for us!
4a) Your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey. Jesus is our king, Lord over all of us. He is righteous and victorious over all. He did come humbly and riding on a donkey to save all of us.
b) When Jesus first came, he came as a humble servant, bringing salvation to his people. In Verse 10, he is coming as a warrior, bringing judgment and rule to the earth.
5) The Lord will save His people and fight for us. We will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. Such a beautiful picture of love.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Day 2: Zechariah 9
I love prophecy in the Bible! These are some of my favorite passages!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Day 2: Zechariah 9
Most Bible scholars see this as the conquest of Alexander the Great since the towns and cities mentioned follow his march through the Promised Land in 332-331 B.C. They served as God’s judgment instrument.
The conquest of Tyre by Alexander the Great is considered one of the ingenious military conquests the world has ever known. It’s a very interesting study if you ever get the chance.
The Jebusites were those whom David conquered (Joshua 15:8, 2 Samuel 5:6-9, 2 Samuel 24:16-18). Both the Jebusites and the people of Ekron would become part of Israel.
Then, Jesus, as the coming king, is described as coming in peace. He would be a different kind of king.
This passage speaks of the millennium of the End Times (Psalm 72, Isaiah 2:2-4, Isaiah 11:4-9, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Luke 1:32-33 and 19:12-27, Matthew 5:18).
Verse 11 tells of the covenant of Moses, and God will rescue them as if they were trapped in a cistern.
The Lord will fight for His people.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
This chapter juxtaposes the judgment of worldly powers with the arrival of a divine, peaceful King.
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Judgment on the Nations (vv. 1–8): The chapter begins with the “Divine Warrior” marching south, dismantling the traditional enemies of Israel (Syria, Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia). God systematically strips them of their pride and military strength. However, a surprising twist occurs in verse 7: a remnant of these enemies will “belong to our God,” foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s kingdom.
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The Coming of the Messiah (vv. 9–10): In contrast to the violent conquests of Alexander the Great (who history suggests is the background context here), Zion’s King arrives in humility. Riding a donkey rather than a warhorse, He brings salvation and proclaims peace to the nations, extending His rule “from sea to sea.”
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The Liberation and Victory (vv. 11–17): Because of the “blood of the covenant,” God promises to free the prisoners from the waterless pit. He transforms His people from victims into victorious warriors, defending them so they shine like “jewels in a crown” in His land.
Conclusion
True power looks like humility. The passage concludes that God’s victory is not achieved through superior military might, but through a humble King who brings peace. While worldly powers (like Tyre and Philistia) trust in their fortifications, God’s people are called to trust in the King who arrives in lowliness to bring ultimate salvation.
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