Zacharie 9

1 Oracle de la parole de l'Éternel contre le pays de Hadrac, et qui s'arrête sur Damas; - car l'Éternel a l'œil sur les hommes, et sur toutes les tribus d'Israël; -

2 Il s'arrête sur Hamath qui lui confine, sur Tyr et Sidon, de qui la sagesse est grande.

3 Tyr s'est bâti une forteresse; elle a amassé l'argent comme la poussière, et l'or comme la boue des rues.

4 Voici, le Seigneur s'en emparera; il jettera sa puissance dans la mer; et elle sera consumée par le feu.

5 Askélon le verra, et elle craindra; Gaza aussi, et elle en sera toute tremblante; Ékron aussi, car son attente sera confondue: il n'y aura plus de roi à Gaza, et Askélon ne sera plus habitée.

6 L'étranger habitera dans Asdod, et je retrancherai l'orgueil du Philistin.

7 J'ôterai son sang de sa bouche, et ses abominations d'entre ses dents, et lui aussi restera pour notre Dieu; il sera comme un chef en Juda, et Ékron comme le Jébusien.

8 Et je camperai autour de ma maison, contre les armées, contre les allants et les venants; l'oppresseur ne passera plus sur eux; car maintenant je la regarde de mes yeux.

9 Réjouis-toi avec transports, fille de Sion! Jette des cris de joie, fille de Jérusalem! Voici, ton roi vient à toi; il est juste et vainqueur, humble et monté sur un âne, sur le poulain d'une ânesse.

10 Et je retrancherai les chars d'Éphraïm, et les chevaux de Jérusalem, et l'arc de combat sera ôté. Il parlera de paix aux nations, il dominera d'une mer à l'autre, et du fleuve aux extrémités de la terre.

11 Et pour toi, en vertu de ton alliance scellée par le sang, je retirerai tes captifs de la fosse où il n'y a point d'eau.

12 Retournez au lieu fort, captifs qui avez espérance! Aujourd'hui même je le déclare, je te rendrai deux fois autant

13 Car je bande Juda comme un arc; j'arme Éphraïm de sa flèche; je ferai lever tes enfants, ô Sion, contre tes enfants, ô Javan! Je te rendrai pareille à l'épée d'un homme vaillant.

14 L'Éternel se montrera au-dessus d'eux; sa flèche partira comme l'éclair; le Seigneur, l'Éternel, sonnera du cor, et s'avancera dans les tempêtes du midi.

15 L'Éternel des armées sera leur protecteur; ils dévoreront; ils fouleront aux pieds les pierres de fronde; ils boiront; ils feront du bruit comme dans le vin; ils seront pleins comme le vase du sacrifice, comme les coins de l'autel.

16 Et l'Éternel leur Dieu les délivrera en ce jour-là, comme le troupeau de son peuple; car ils seront comme les pierres d'un diadème brillant sur sa terre.

17 Et quelle en sera la beauté, quel en sera l'éclat! Le froment fera croître les jeunes hommes, et le vin nouveau les jeunes filles.

Zacharie 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

God's defence of his church. (1-8) Christ's coming and his kingdom. (9-11) Promises to the church. (12-17)

Verses 1-8 Here are judgements foretold on several nations. While the Macedonians and Alexander's successors were in warfare in these countries, the Lord promised to protect his people. God's house lies in the midst of an enemy's country; his church is as a lily among thorns. God's power and goodness are seen in her special preservation. The Lord encamps about his church, and while armies of proud opposers shall pass by and return, his eyes watch over her, so that they cannot prevail, and shortly the time will come when no exactor shall pass by her any more.

Verses 9-17 The prophet breaks forth into a joyful representation of the coming of the Messiah, of whom the ancient Jews explained this prophecy. He took the character of their King, when he entered Jerusalem amidst the hosannas of the multitude. But his kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. It shall not be advanced by outward force or carnal weapons. His gospel shall be preached to the world, and be received among the heathen. A sinful state is a state of bondage; it is a pit, or dungeon, in which there is no water, no comfort; and we are all by nature prisoners in this pit. Through the precious blood of Christ, many prisoners of Satan have been set at liberty from the horrible pit in which they must otherwise have perished, without hope or comfort. While we admire Him, let us seek that his holiness and truth may be shown in our own spirits and conduct. These promises have accomplishment in the spiritual blessings of the gospel which we enjoy by Jesus Christ. As the deliverance of the Jews was typical of redemption by Christ, so this invitation speaks to all the language of the gospel call. Sinners are prisoners, but prisoners of hope; their case is sad, but not desperate; for there is hope in Israel concerning them. Christ is a Strong-hold, a strong Tower, in whom believers are safe from the fear of the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the assaults of spiritual enemies. To him we must turn with lively faith; to him we must flee, and trust in his name under all trials and sufferings. It is here promised that the Lord would deliver his people. This passage also refers to the apostles, and the preachers of the gospel in the early ages. God was evidently with them; his words from their lips pierced the hearts and consciences of the hearers. They were wondrously defended in persecution, and were filled with the influences of the Holy Spirit. They were saved by the Good Shepherd as his flock, and honoured as jewels of his crown. The gifts, graces, and consolations of the Spirit, poured forth on the day of Pentecost, ( Acts 2 ) and in succeeding times, are represented. Sharp have been, and still will be, the conflicts of Zion's sons, but their God will give them success. The more we are employed, and satisfied with his goodness, the more we shall admire the beauty revealed in the Redeemer. Whatever gifts God bestows on us, we must serve him cheerfully with them; and, when refreshed with blessings, we must say, How great is his goodness!

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 9

This chapter treats of the conversion of the Gentiles, before spoken of in general, now particularly named; of the coming of Christ into the world, and the advantages of it to his church; of the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles, and of their protection, encouragement, and success. The Gentiles converted are first the Syrians that dwelt in Hadrach, Damascus, and Hamath, the Lord's eye being upon them, Zec 9:1 next the Phoenicians, the inhabitants of Tyre and Zidon, who had a vain opinion of their wisdom, and trusted in their riches, Zec 9:2-4 and then the Philistines, the inhabitants of Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod, guilty of pride, murder, idolatry, and other abominations, Zec 9:5-7 when the church and people of God should be safely protected, Zec 9:8 to whom, for their joy and comfort, is given forth a prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah; who is described by his character as a King, just, having salvation, lowly, and riding on an ass; by the peaceableness of his kingdom; by the various offices he executes; the prophetic office, speaking peace to the Heathen; the kingly office, his dominion being very large; and his priestly office, in the effusion of his blood, by which the covenant is confirmed, his people delivered out of distress, and encouraged to flee to him as their stronghold, where they find plenty and protection, Zec 9:9-12 next the apostles are represented as military men, accoutered with the bow and the sword of the mighty, Zec 9:13 whose success is owing to the Lord's appearance over them, and the efficacy of his grace and Spirit attending the word, Zec 9:14 who are protected and encouraged in it by the Lord, and honoured on account of it, Zec 9:15,16 and the chapter is concluded with an exclamation, wondering at the grace and glory of Christ, and expressing the satisfying provisions of his house, Zec 9:17.