Patrick Griffiths | Jacob Michalski ONE STORY - UNIT 4 |LESSON 10B The Major and Minor Prophets of [and Post-Exilic History] [Fall 2019]

God is a Promise Keeping God God 1) PROMISES a KING who 2) RESCUES His people, 3) DEFEATS His enemies, and 4) RESTORES them to the LAND 5) so that His people shall be with Him for their JOY.

“The LORD Will Be King over All the Earth” Zechariah 14:1-21

Them / Then

The prophets gave these hopes new expression. spoke of a king coming from the line of who would establish peace and rule with justice and righteousness forevermore (Psalms 72; 89:4; Isaiah 9:2-7). He spoke of a new David, a "shoot from the stump of Jesse," who would be concerned for the poor, rule with righteousness, and bring about shalom , pictured as peace among people and animals (Psalm 72; Isaiah 11:1-9). Jeremiah promised a "righteous branch" from David's line, who would rule with justice and righteousness and bring about a time of peace (Psalms 72; 89:4; Jeremiah 23:5-6). Micah identified David's home town Bethlehem as the place from where the king would come and promised that he would rule to the ends of the earth and bring about peace (Psalm 2; Psalm 72; Micah 5:2-5). Today's lectionary text should be seen in the context of this great stream of hope for a coming . https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=992

THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT :

A. Literary Context (preceding and following paragraphs):

In this section of Zechariah (chapter 12-14), the refrain of “On that day…” occurs often. Zechariah is looking ahead in expectation of Yahweh’s provision/justice. In the paragraph prior, the prophet describes “one that is pierced, ” idolatry being cut off, and a shepherd being struck. Our chapter is the final one of Zechariah and describes the restoration of the city of and Yahweh’s coming kingdom.

B. Historical Context (what is happening to the nation and to the prophet):

The historical background of Zechariah is the same as that of Haggai, but their ministries differed in emphasis. Haggai’s work centered on the rebuilding of the temple; Zechariah was concerned with rebuilding the temple as well, but his prophecies also encouraged God’s people regarding Jerusalem’s place in the long term future of the kingdom of God.

1 Nearly 20 years after returning from the Babylonian exile in the time of Cyrus (538 b.c.), God’s people were discouraged. The foundation of the temple had been laid shortly after the initial return, in 536 b.c., but powerful opposition had prevented any further progress on rebuilding the temple. And, there was little evidence of the kind of spiritual renewal that the earlier prophets had anticipated. Jewish sovereignty had not been restored. A moral reformation of the people had not occurred. Jerusalem was still only partially rebuilt and had no significance among the surrounding nations. Under the circumstances, many people concluded that theirs was a “day of small things” ( 4:10 ) in which God was absent from his people. Many viewed faithful obedience as useless. It seemed to make more sense to forget God and to pursue the best life possible. https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-zechariah/

We are in the midst of a series of prophesies, each of which is meant to encourage the Jews of Zechariah’s day, diminished in number and stature as they were, facing great challenges that seemed, at least to many of them, so daunting that they felt defeated before they even began. We read in chapter 8 of great days that were in store for the people of God. They were being encouraged to work in the expectation that their efforts, however paltry they may appear, would matter in the long run. In the first half of chapter 9 we read of the future defeat of Israel’s enemies. Now we read of Israel’s coming king and the triumph of his reign. https://www.faithtacoma.org/zech/2013-12-29-pm

THE STRUCTURE:

I. Yahweh’s Kingdom Reclaimed (14:1-5)

A. YHWH reclaims His People (v.1-2)

B. YHWH reclaims His Enemies (v.3-5)

Yahweh’s kingdom reclaimed —The prophecy about Yahweh’s kingdom starts with Jerusalem being in total ruin. Nations are gathered against the city, houses are plundered, and women are raped. Yahweh, however, steps in and reclaims His city and His people. He splits a mountain in two and allows his people to come and dwell in the valley. Yahweh then will come and dwell with His people and “living waters” will flow out of the newly reclaimed city to the east and to the west.

II. Yahweh’s Kingdom Secured (14:6-15)

A. Re-creation of the Cosmic Order (6-7 [the remaking of Eden])

B. Restoration of Eden (8)

C. Reestablishment of Theocracy (9, 12-15 [the destroying of the enemies)

D. Rising up of Jerusalem (10-11, vv. 16-21 [the gathering of the nations)

2 Yahweh’s kingdom secured —Once the city is reclaimed, Yahweh will set himself up as king of all things and all peoples. The new city will be made secure by Yahweh’s power and all oppressors will be dispensed. Those that dwell in this new city will live in abundance and security due to Yahweh’s provision of justice and wealth.

III. Yahweh’s Kingdom Consecrated ([made holy {14:16-21}])

Yahweh’s kingdom consecrated —Once the new city established, Yahweh will be worshiped by all nations of the earth. As a sign of reverse to Yahweh, all peoples will come to the new city and celebrate the Feast of Booths. This feast is a celebration of Yahweh’s deliverance and provision for His people in the wilderness. Along with all nations coming to worship Yahweh the earth will be marked as holy (v.20-21). Everything from bells on horses to common pots and bowls will be seen and treated as holy.

A. All Nations will worship Yahweh (14:16-19)

B. Everything will be holy (14:20-21)

“The earth will be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.” Nothing is so bad that God cannot redeem it.

THE EMPHASIS :

The call to rejoice is in the context of difficult circumstances. The prophet speaks of a future king. Jesus shall fulfill this promise. Nothing around us suggests the fulfillment of this promise, yet God continues to keep His Word.

Gospel [If applicable, how does this New Testament use this passage?]

BIG PICTURE (Are any or all of the following concepts present? How so?)

 Land – Garden

On this day “the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one” (v.9). Jesus saw himself as a king setting up his kingdom. This chapter talks of that kingdom being reclaimed and set up. Jesus started the process of bringing about this kingdom, and He will return to finish wha t He started. Jesus is King. God’s reclamation of the city and the whole earth is the fulfillment of all Land/Garden promise. All the world will be deemed God’s (v.9) and the whole earth will be made holy (v.20-21). It is also

3 emphasized that God will dwell with His people (v.5). This picture of God’s presence being with humanity and all the earth being holy should trigger Genesis 1-2 imagery. The Garden will be reclaimed, all will be made holy, and everything/everyone will be full the God’s presence.

 Seed – JESUS

The arrival of the promised king finds fulfillment in Jesus. “All four Gospels identify the events of what we call Palm Sunday as the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy (Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-38; see especially Matt 21:1-11 and John 12:12-19). We ourselves are those people who identify the one who rode on that donkey as the long-awaited King or Messiah, promised in those writings we call our . As Christ-ians or Messiah-ists, we are people who confess that this--Jesus who was crucified and raised from the dead, is our Messiah, our King, our Master. We confess that through his death this Jesus has saved us from sin, death, and all the powers of evil. We are those people who thank God for sending this Jesus the Messiah into the world for us so that we Messiah-people need not live haunted by guilt and sin and so that death will not for us be the end. https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=992

When Israel’s king returns He will fulfill all of His promises to Israel and through Israel to the world. Everything concerning the LAND, the SEED, and the BLESSINGS will come to fruition. God’s reclamation of the city and the whole earth is the fulfillment of all Land/Garden promise. All the world will be deemed God’s (v.9) and the whole earth will be made holy (v.20-21). It is also emphasized that God will dwell with His people (v.5). This picture of God’s presence being with humanity and all the earth being holy should trigger Genesis 1-2 imagery. The Garden will be reclaimed, all will be made holy, and everything/everyone will be full the God’s presence.

 Blessing – Global

When the King arrives His rule shall reach to the ends of the earth and peace will prevail. The pictures of how God will interact with the nations prevalent. Once the new city is reclaimed, living water is said to be flowing to the east and west (v.8). Jesus talked of himself as this living water reaching out to the nations and those outside the city. The blessing of God coming to the nations is also talked about in the later parter of the chapter (v.16-21). The whole earth will worship God and everything will be made holy. God is not just the king of Israel/Jerusalem. God is named the “king over all the earth” (v.9).

Us / Now

VISUALS:

MEMORY VERSE:

9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth . On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.

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APPLICATION (US/NOW): (If you find no application, that is perfectly fine )

As Christians, we can hope in God regardless of what our circumstances say. Jesus is God’s promise of present and future victory from our enemies. God is king. This passage talks a lot about God coming to establish His kingdom, but it says so much more about God being king. God is king over all the earth and His kingdom reaches all corners of the world. The focus is on God’s kingdom and His rule over that kingdom. How do we live in light of God/Jesus being king. This is what the Gospels explain to us. Jesus continuously said, “the kingdom of God/Heaven is like…”. Jesus is telling us about this kingdom and what it is like. Follow Jesus the king.

RESOURCES: (Articles or links that you found helpful)

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