Jewels in his crown
Opening Prayer
Returning King, give me vision that will change me and cause me to change the world around me.
Read Zechariah 9:9-17
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[9] Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [10] I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. [11] As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. [12] Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. [13] I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword. [14] Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south, [15] and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. [16] The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. [17] How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is fulfilled in Christ’s first coming?Zechariah takes up the theme of 2:10 with the expectation that the Lord Almighty will come. The kingly theme was well-known before the exile (Isa. 9:6,7; Amos 9:11,12), and the Messiah is described here for the benefit of the returners. (Persian kings would ride to war on a horse, but someone on a peace mission might ride on a donkey; 9.) This king will bring peace and stability, but for anyone waiting expectantly for this, the Lord himself will bring freedom and restoration (11–13). Strong imagery in verses 14–16 then presents God appearing in a storm, enabling his people to fight victoriously in a battle and celebrate in a banquet, while he, like a shepherd, protects these people who are likened to jewels in a crown. God’s people will indeed be satisfied (17)!Matthew 21:5 and John 12:15 both draw on verse 9 when recording Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem. His act was clearly interpreted as being messianic in nature. Yet the Gospel writers do not continue to verse 10 because they recognized that this vision was only partial reality. Zechariah takes up the theme of 2:10 with the expectation that the Lord Almighty will come. The kingly theme was well-known before the exile (Isa. 9:6,7; Amos 9:11,12), and the Messiah is described here for the benefit of the returners. (Persian kings would ride to war on a horse, but someone on a peace mission might ride on a donkey; 9.) This king will bring peace and stability, but for anyone waiting expectantly for this, the Lord himself will bring freedom and restoration (11–13). Strong imagery in verses 14–16 then presents God appearing in a storm, enabling his people to fight victoriously in a battle and celebrate in a banquet, while he, like a shepherd, protects these people who are likened to jewels in a crown. God’s people will indeed be satisfied (17)!Matthew 21:5 and John 12:15 both draw on verse 9 when recording Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem. His act was clearly interpreted as being messianic in nature. Yet the Gospel writers do not continue to verse 10 because they recognized that this vision was only partial reality.
Apply
While we wait for the Lord’s return, use each of the images in verses 14–16 to pray for yourself and our world itself.
Closing prayer
Lord, thank You for the price You paid that I might be a jewel in Your crown.
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