Zechariah 9:1-17: a reflection

1A revelation. The LORD’s word is against the land of Hadrach, and will rest upon Damascus— for the eye of man and of all the tribes of Israel is toward the LORD— 2and Hamath, also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise. 3Tyre built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets. 4Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will strike her power in the sea; and she will be devoured with fire. 5Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also, and will writhe in agony; as will Ekron, for her expectation will be disappointed; and the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited. 6Foreigners will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. 7I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth; and he also will be a remnant for our God; and he will be as a chieftain in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. 8I will encamp around my house against the army, that no one pass through or return; and no oppressor will pass through them any more: for now I have seen with my eyes. 9Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations. His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water. 12Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. 13For indeed I bend Judah as a bow for me. I have loaded the bow with Ephraim. I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and will make you like the sword of a mighty man. 14The LORD will be seen over them. His arrow will flash like lightning. The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south. 15The LORD of Armies will defend them. They will destroy and overcome with sling stones. They will drink, and roar as through wine. They will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar. 16The LORD their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land. 17For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.

In the middle of a chapter about the nations and their fates, Zechariah bursts into a joyful announcement: Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; righteous and having salvation is he, lowly, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. It is a prophecy of the coming King, and it is striking for how it pictures him: not on a war-horse in conquering pride, but humble, riding on a donkey, coming to bring salvation and peace.

Notice the kind of King Zechariah foretells. Earthly kings came in strength and pride, on chariots and horses, to conquer and dominate. This King comes lowly, on a donkey, and what he brings is not conquest but salvation, and peace to the nations. He is righteous, and he saves, and he comes in humility. Centuries later, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy exactly, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, the humble King coming to bring salvation, not by force but by his own sacrifice.

That is the King worth rejoicing in. The world's kings and powers come in strength and pride, demanding submission; our King comes in humility, riding on a donkey, offering salvation and peace. He does not conquer us by force but wins us by his lowly, self-giving love. Rejoice, daughter of Zion, your King comes to you: not a proud tyrant, but a humble Savior, righteous and bringing salvation. Welcome him, the King who came in lowliness to save, and rejoice that this is the King who reigns.

Lord, Zechariah foretold and Jesus fulfilled the coming of a King, not on a war-horse in pride, but humble, riding on a donkey, righteous and bringing salvation and peace. Thank you for a King unlike the proud powers of the world, one who comes in lowliness to save, not to dominate, who wins me by his self-giving love rather than by force. Help me rejoice in this King, welcome him, and submit gladly to the humble Savior who came to bring salvation. Reign in me, my lowly King.