Zacarías 9

1 CARGA de la palabra de Jehová contra tierra de Hadrach, y de Damasco su reposo: porque á Jehová están vueltos los ojos de los hombres, y de todas las tribus de Israel.

2 Y también Hamath tendrá término en ella; Tiro y Sidón, aunque muy sabia sea.

3 Bien que Tiro se edificó fortaleza, y amontonó plata como polvo, y oro como lodo de las calles,

4 He aquí, el Señor la empobrecerá, y herirá en la mar su fortaleza, y ella será consumida de fuego.

5 Ascalón verá, y temerá; Gaza también, y se dolerá en gran manera: asimismo Ecrón, porque su esperanza será confundida; y de Gaza perecerá el rey, y Ascalón no será habitada.

6 Y habitará en Asdod un extranjero, y yo talaré la soberbia de los Palestinos:

7 Y quitaré sus sangres de su boca, y sus abominaciones de sus dientes, y quedarán ellos también para nuestro Dios, y serán como capitanes en Judá, y Ecrón como el Jebuseo.

8 Y seré real de ejército á mi casa, á causa del que va y del que viene: y no pasará más sobre ellos angustiador; porque ahora miré con mis ojos.

9 Alégrate mucho, hija de Sión; da voces de júbilo, hija de Jerusalem: he aquí, tu rey vendrá á ti, justo y salvador, humilde, y cabalgando sobre un asno, así sobre un pollino hijo de asna.

10 Y de Ephraim destruiré los carros, y los caballo de Jerusalem; y los arcos de guerra serán quebrados: y hablará paz á las gentes; y su señorío será de mar á mar, y desde el río hasta los fines de la tierra.

11 Y tú también por la sangre de tu pacto serás salva; yo he sacado tus presos del aljibe en que no hay agua.

12 Tornaos á la fortaleza, oh presos de esperanza: hoy también os anuncio que os daré doblado.

13 Porque entesado he para mí á Judá como arco, henchí á Ephraim; y despertaré tus hijos, oh Sión, contra tus hijos, oh Grecia, y te pondré como espada de valiente.

14 Y Jehová será visto sobre ellos, y su dardo saldrá como relámpago: y el Señor Jehová tocará trompeta, é irá como torbellinos del austro.

15 Jehová de los ejércitos los amparará, y ellos devorarán, y sujetarán á las piedras de la honda, y beberán y harán estrépido como tomados del vino; y se llenarán como cuenco, ó como los lados del altar.

16 Y los salvará en aquel día Jehová su Dios como á rebaño de su pueblo: porque serán engrandecidos en su tierra como piedras de corona.

17 Porque ¡cuánta es su bondad, y cuánta su hermosura! El trigo alegrará á los mancebos, y el vino á las doncellas.

Zacarías 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.