Judgment Against Neighboring Nations
Study note
God pronounces judgment on the lands and cities surrounding Israel, including Damascus, Tyre, Sidon, and the Philistine cities. Tyre had built great wealth and strong defenses, but God would destroy her power. The Philistine cities would also fall. Yet God shows mercy even in judgment: some of these peoples would be absorbed into Israel. God promises to guard His own house so that no oppressor will overrun His people again.
1 This is the LORD's heavy message against the land of Hadrach. It will settle on Damascus, because the LORD is watching every person — including every tribe of Israel. The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.
2 His judgment will reach Hamath, which borders Damascus, and also Tyre and Sidon, despite how clever they think they are. And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
3 Tyre constructed an impressive fortress. She stacked up silver like common dust and piled gold like mud in the gutters. And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
4 But watch — the Lord will strip her of everything. He will smash her power on the sea, and fire will consume her. Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
5 Ashkelon will watch and be terrified. Gaza will twist in agony. Ekron will too, because her hopes will crumble. Gaza's king will disappear, and Ashkelon will be emptied of its people. Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
6 Foreigners will move into Ashdod, and the LORD will crush the pride of the Philistines. And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7 God will take away the blood from their mouths and the forbidden food from between their teeth. The Philistines who survive will become part of God's people — like another clan in Judah. Ekron will be absorbed just like the Jebusites were. And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
8 "I will stand guard around my temple like a sentry, protecting it from any invading army. No oppressor will ever trample my people again, because now I am keeping watch with my own eyes." And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
The Coming King on a Donkey
Study note
This is one of the most important Messianic prophecies in the entire Old Testament. It describes a humble king riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, bringing salvation and peace. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem before His crucifixion. Unlike earthly kings who come with war chariots, this king comes humbly and removes all weapons, speaking peace to all nations.
9 Burst into celebration, daughter of Zion! Shout with joy, daughter of Jerusalem! Look — your king is on his way! He is righteous and brings salvation. He is humble, riding on a donkey — on the colt of a donkey. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
10 The LORD will remove the war chariots from Ephraim and the battle horses from Jerusalem. He will snap the bows of war in half. He will announce peace to every nation. His kingdom will stretch from ocean to ocean, from the Euphrates River to the farthest edges of the world. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
11 "Because of the blood that sealed my covenant with you, I am setting your prisoners free from the dry, empty pit." As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
12 Come back to your place of safety, you prisoners who still have hope! Today I make this promise: I will repay you double for everything you lost. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
13 I will bend Judah like my bow and load Ephraim like an arrow. I will aim your sons, Zion, against the sons of Greece and turn you into a warrior's blade. When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
God Will Protect His People
Study note
God promises to appear over His people like a warrior, shooting arrows like lightning and blowing the trumpet. He will protect them like a shepherd guards his flock. They will sparkle like jewels in a crown on His land. The chapter ends with a celebration of God's goodness and beauty, bringing abundance and blessing to His people.
14 Then the LORD will appear above his people like a bolt of lightning. The Lord GOD will blast the trumpet and march out riding the wild storms of the south. And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 The LORD of Armies will be their shield. They will overcome their enemies and trample them underfoot. They will shout and celebrate like people at a feast, splashing with joy like the sacred bowls at the altar. The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
16 On that day, the LORD their God will rescue his people as a shepherd rescues his beloved flock. They will sparkle across his land like gemstones glittering in a crown. And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
17 How wonderful and beautiful everything will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine will refresh the young women. For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.