The issue has always been about who rules – who is in charge.
The answer proposed has been idols and figureheads that man would put up to offer their allegiance and worship. This has led to nothing but misery and impoverishment. This is one of the reasons why judgement is a strong theme throughout the book of Zechariah. God will not let those who have done wrong get away with it, especially when it comes to how they have treated His people.
In all of that, however, God’s covenant love is offers reasons for hope.
Rejoice, O people of Zion![d]
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt. (Zechariah 9:9 NLT)
Talk of a returning king might have appeared somewhat subversive considering the return of the people to Judah and Jerusalem was only at the allowance of the ruling authority of the day. Using that as a platform to talk about kings arising among your own people might be reason to think a rebellion and uprising might be on the way.
Certainly some would have read into these hopes and promises the return of the Davidic Kingdom of glory that saw Israel remain unbowed int he face of bigger forces. The military imagery works until we note how the King is entering. It is not on a majestic stead of high nobility, it’s on a donkey.
Not only that, but this new King is not just one who is set to rule through military might and impose that rule by aggression, intimidation and fear. This rule is not just for the people of Israel. The scope of what is promised goes much wider than that and points to a reality that has cosmic proportions.
On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, yet there will be continuous day! Only the Lord knows how this could happen. There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light.
On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter.
And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshipped. (Zechariah 14:6-9 NLT)
The promise of the King coming and ruling over the whole earth in a state where there will be no night and darkness will never rule again, is one worth pinning your hopes. Realised in the coming of the Messiah initially and again with great anticipation this day of the Lord that Zechariah points to is one that should lift our eyes in hope to the return of the King.
(Photo by Dorin Seremet on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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