Springs Eternal (By Lynne McCarthy)

 Text    Zechariah 9-14   (Ps.62)    
Observe   Zechariah offers hope to those returning to a country they don’t even remember after a 70-year absence. While he foretells Israel’s rejection of the Messiah (9:1-11:17), he also speaks of His coming when Israel will finally be delivered.  

Chapter 13:8,9 speaks of refinement by fire that produces gold (Ezek.5:4). In this melting-down process, Israel will return to the Lord, and in His splendid word, “They will be my people.”

Zechariah names the plagues that will be visited on those nations who reject Him (14:12-19).  But the chapter has this astounding foretelling on the unknown Day of the Lord:  Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day--a day known only to the LORD—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter. The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.  (14:5b-9).

Interpret   Zechariah (“The Lord remembers”) is the most Messianic of the 12 Minor Prophets. These chapters contain two oracles of salvation and deliverance – these visions came later in his life.

Born in Babylon, Zechariah returns from Exile with his grandfather, the priest Iddo. His lineage being priest as well as prophet, he encourages the returnees struggling to rebuild their lives.  While he speaks judgment on Judah and beyond, he offers hope to them.

Besides encouragement, the sovereignty of God is a principal theme. The coming Messiah will establish a renewed people of hope and faith in Him. But He is not limited to time, place or people group; He was, is, and is to come, King for all nations.

Here are a few New Testament references and allusions to Messiah Jesus, from Zechariah:
-  Your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  (9:9)   Mt 21:1-11; Mk 11:1-11; 44; Jn 12:9-11  
- From Judah will come the cornerstone….(10:4)  Mt 21:42;Eph 2:20 
- 30 pieces of silver and “the potter” (11:12-13) Mt 27:9-10 (attributed in Matthew to Jeremiah) 
- They will look on me, the one they have pierced (12:10)   Jn 19:37  
- Allusion: the Good Shepherd, struck down for His sheep (13:7-14:5) Jn 10:1-21 
- Jesus’ second coming as Saviour, Judge and King to rule His people from Jerusalem (9:10-14:21).   Mt 23: 24:27; 2Thess. 2:8; Phil 1:10 and many others
- Only the Father knows the time of the end. (14:14)  Mt 24:36-39; 1Thess 5:2-9       
-  Living water!  (14:8)    Jn 4:10, 7:37-39
- One Lord  (14:9)  Eph 4:5 
- Jesus the only Name.  (14:9)   Acts 4:10

Apply   In these difficult times, with opinion, division and uproar on all sides, it is so easy to become discouraged and lose perspective. When we reject what holds us back from being fully His, our hearts softened by His grace, He welcomes and saves. We humbly receive His compassionate forgiveness because we need Him in all circumstances.
Zechariah is a corrective. Let’s hold on for (His) dear life to our sure hope in Jesus, rejecting discouraging news (alternative or mainstream), false prophets, opinions purporting to be ‘my truth’ and thus the only one there is (no discussion allowed). Jesus is the antidote to the times we live in.

Ask   Lord, I am discouraged by what I hear, read, watch of “news”. So, I ask for hope-filled words from Your Word, to speak to those without hope. Would You show me, slow learner, that Your Word is woven together beginning to end, You the Weaver, Jesus the thread of hope?

Pray   Maranatha!  Come, Lord Jesus!

Song   Psalm 62: My Soul Finds Rest   Stuart Townend 
Zech. 9:9 :  Rejoice Greatly O Daughter of Jerusalem (Handel, Messiah)                         Regula Muhlmann