Zechariah 9
(1) God Will Turn Philistines into His People
This is the Existing One’s burdensome message against the land of Hadrach [Lebanon] and Damascus [a city NE of Jerusalem], since the eyes of all humanity (and especially Israel) are pointed toward the Existing One.
God’s burdensome message also applies to Hammath, which borders Damascus. It applies to Tyre and Sidon too, since they think they’re so smart.
Tyre built a fortress for herself and piled up silver as if it were dust and gold as if it were mud from the streets. But the Existing One will bring her to run and throw her wealth into the sea, and she’ll be consumed by fire.
The city of Ashkelon will see this happen and be terrified. Gaza will writhe in pain, and so will Ekron, because the thing she puts her hope in will have been put to shame. On top of that, Gaza’s king will die, and Ashkelon will become desserted.
They’ll be like a stepchild living together with the Israelite city of Ashdod, and I’ll cut down the Philistines’ arrogance. [The Philistines were the locals who inhabited the Israeli coast]. I’ll snatch the blood and nastiness right out of their mouths from between their teeth.
Then they’ll be a remnant of people for Me. They’ll be like a chief in Judah, and the Philistine city of Ekron will be like the Jebusites [local Cananites who lived with the Israelites].
I’ll camp out near My temple because of that army marching back and forth. Tyrants won’t pass by there anymore, now that I’ll be watching it with My own eyes.
(9) A King will Come on a Donkey
Jerusalem’s daughter, you should throw a huge celebration, and shout triumphantly! Look! Your king is coming to you! He’s someone of integrity, He’s victorious, and He’s coming to the rescue. He comes lowly, riding on a donkey—even a young donkey.
I’ll sever the chariot from Ephraim [one of Israel’s tribes] and the horse from Jerusalem. The war bow will be put away. He’ll declare peace and wholeness to the world’s countries. His dominion will stretch from sea to sea—from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
(11) God will Rescue His People
And because of the blood from My alliance with you, I’ll set your prisoners free from a dungeon that doesn’t give them any water. To the prisoners who still have hope: go back to the stronghold. Today I’m announcing that I’ll give you back double what you lost.
Judah will be My bow that I’ll bend and load with Ephraim like an arrow. I’ll stir up Jerusalem’s people against Greece’s people, making them like a mighty sword. Then the Existing One will appear above them and His arrow will shoot forth like lightning. The Existing One, the Master, will blow the trumpet and march in on the storm winds from the south.
The Existing One of all creation will defend them, and they will burn up and trample on the slingshot ammo. They’ll drink and get rowdy as if they were drinking alcohol. They’ll fill themselves up as if they were the basin used for sacrifices, soaking themselves like the altar’s corners.
The Existing One their God will save them in that day, since they’re His flock of people. They are the gemstones that go on a crown, sparkling in His empire. They’ll be so beautiful! They’ll have wheat to make the young men flourish and new wine to make the young ladies flourish.
