Bible in a Year Series - Day #265 - This post is part of a year-long series where we are reading chronologically through the Bible. Click here to learn more. You are most welcome to join along at any time.
Today's text from the ESV Study Bible: Zechariah 8-14.
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)
From the ESV Study Bible:
"The latter chapters of Zechariah also show that the coming of this Davidic ruler will not be without challenge. A new ruler will come to Jerusalem, a ruler who will not be like the existing rulers but will be righteous and humble, bringing salvation (9:9–11). In contrast to the shepherds who feed themselves at the expense of the flock, this good shepherd will take care of the flock and provide for them (9:16). He will cleanse them of all their iniquities (13:1). Yet the flock will themselves reject this good shepherd, and the Lord's own sword will be unleashed against him (11:4–16; 13:7). The sheep will be scattered and left to their oppressors in a time of trial and testing. Yet ultimately God will redeem his flock and rescue his city. Final judgment will come upon all the nations that assaulted God's people, and the end result will be the complete holiness of Jerusalem. It will be restored as God's chosen city, to which the nations will come on pilgrimage (ch. 14)."
As we continue our journey through Israel's history, we shall soon see the rebuilding of the temple. The contemporary Jew certainly must have wondered if Israel would ever again see her previous glory.
As Zechariah tells us, the answer is yes; but not in the way that she (Israel) expected. Their King will come on the back of a donkey's colt (not very regal for a King), and his kingdom will not be of this earth.
On October 1st, we will have finished the Hebrew canon and begin to see God's new convenant displayed, through Messiah, before our eyes.
Unfortunately, this will again divide God's own (the sheep will be scattered) and we will again see a great divide in Israel between those who call themselves Jews, and those Jews who will now call themselves Christians.
It's all very head scratching, isn't it?
