Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20090705.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
Zechariah: Paving The Path Toward A Blessed Future
Part IV: Informing God's People About The Messianic King And His Kingdom, Zechariah 9:1-14:21
B. Predicting Messiah's Refreshing Arrival Versus Other Ungodly Rulers
(Zechariah 9:9)
  1. Introduction
    1. Human rulers who are sinners lead people in ways that cause fear and unrest in great contrast to the way God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ leads us.
    2. This striking contrast is worth our focus, for it causes us to want to submit all the more to our Lord and His rule in our lives, and it examples for us the way we ought to lead others God assigns us to lead:
  2. Predicting Messiah's Refreshing Arrival Versus Other Ungodly Rulers, Zechariah 9:9-10:12.
    1. Though God predicted in Zechariah 9:8 how He would shield His Jerusalem temple from destruction by Alexander the Great, Zechariah 9:9 opens with a call to rejoice over the arrival of Israel's own Messiah!
    2. The characteristics of Israel's Messiah in this verse contrast greatly with those of Alexander the Great:
      1. Israel's Messiah would come in righteousness in contrast to sinful Alexander the Great, Zech. 9:9a:
        1. Alexander the Great was known for his unrighteousness: (1) Upon inheriting the throne of Greece in 336 B. C., he killed all other potential rivals to the throne and put down revolts of fellow Greeks in violation of the 338 B. C. Greek Law against Tyranny that provided that if anyone established a dictatorship in Athens, the one who killed him would be held guiltless, cf. Edward McNall Burns, Western Civilizations, 6th ed., 1963, p. 159-160. (2) In addition, as a "slave of his emotions", he "scarcely deserves the greatness which has been thrust upon him," Ibid., p. 160.
        2. However, Israel's Messiah would come unto her as just, not as a murderer, oppressor or one who could not control His own emotions, Zechariah 9:9a.
      2. Israel's Messiah would come having salvation in contrast to destructive Alexander the Great, 9:9b:
        1. Alexander the Great was destructive both in war and in civilization: (1) He was a military genius in conquering the Persian empire in 12 short years, Ibid., p. 159-160. (2) Yet, "he left few monuments of constructive statesmanship" in failing "to advance the Hellenic ideals of freedom and justice." (Ibid., p. 160) (3) Indeed, opposite spreading Greece's influence, Alexander's conquests "opened the way for a stronger infusion of Orientalism into Europe than had ever occurred before -- so strong in fact that the days of Hellenic [Greek] civilization as such were now practically over." (Ibid.)
        2. Yet, Israel's Messiah would come to her having salvation of the soul by faith in His atonement (John 3:16) and in saving the world by way of the promises in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3).
      3. Israel's Messiah would come as a lowly king in contrast to proud Alexander the Great, Zechariah 9:9c:
        1. Alexander's ambition was egocentric in trying to rule "after the fashion of an Oriental god-king" as opposed to advancing civilization's causes of "freedom and justice," Ibid.
        2. In contrast, Israel's truly God-incarnate Messiah would come unto her as lowly, One Who would focus on being the Servant of the Father in willingly going to the cross, John 1:1-3, 14; Phil. 2:5-8.
      4. Israel's Messiah would come as a king of peace in contrast to warlike Alexander the Great, Zech. 9:9d:
        1. Ancient Near Eastern kings who rode on war stallions came bringing war by force, and Alexander the Great came on such an animal unto Israel, Bible Know. Com., O. T., p. 1563.
        2. However, Israel's Messiah would come unto her on a colt, the foal of a female donkey, an animal Ancient Near Eastern kings would use if they approached a city in peace, Ibid.
    3. This prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus in Matthew 21:1-11. He acquired a foal and its mother donkey, and entered into Jerusalem on the foal to present Himself as Israel's Messiah in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9!
    4. Jerusalem did not receive Him, so His Kingdom was postponed until His Second Coming, Luke 19:28-44.
Lesson: Where Alexander the Great came to Israel as an unrighteous, destructive, proud, warlike king, Israel's Messiah, the Lord Jesus, would come as righteous, having salvation in lowliness and in peace.

Application: (1) May we rejoice in our Savior's righteous, saving, humble, peaceful rule over us. (2) May we who are assigned to lead other believers follow His gracious example in how we lead them!