A prophecy:
The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrak (Damascus Region)
and will come to rest on Damascus— for the eyes of all people and all the tribes of Israel
are on the Lord and on Hamath too, which borders on it, and on Tyre(Lebanon) and Sidon(South Lebanon), though they are very skillful. Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire. Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king…. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now, I am keeping watch.
The Coming of Zion’s King.
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. 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. As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. 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.
The Lord Will Appear
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, and the Lord Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with sling stones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. The Lord th
eir 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. How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.
In the opening verses of Zechariah 9, the prophet delivers a message of judgment against the surrounding nations, including Damascus, Tyre, and Sidon. These cities represent the enemies of Israel who had oppressed and attacked the Jewish people throughout their history. The mention of these cities in the prophecy symbolizes the broader context of conflict and hostility that Israel deals with and has for centuries. The prophecy also foretells the destruction of these nations and their capitals, symbolizing the downfall of Israel’s enemies and the establishment of God’s sovereignty over the land. However, amidst the message of judgment, there is also a message of salvation for the people of Israel. Zechariah prophesies that God will protect and defend Jerusalem, ensuring its safety and prosperity.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Zechariah 9 is its reference to conflict extending into the north. Verse 13 states, “I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword.” Some interpreters suggest that this verse could be a prophetic reference to future conflicts involving Israel and its neighbors to the north, such as Lebanon, Syria, and even Russia. The other factor here is how Zechariah transcends the first coming of Messiah “…on a colt, the foal of a donkey…” and then immediately covers the 2nd coming by saying, “I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem…”
Lebanon, located directly to the north of Israel, has been a source of tension and conflict throughout history, particularly due to the presence of Hezbollah. The war in Gaza and its attachment to the ongoing power struggle between Iran and Israel in the region further exacerbates these tensions, leading to Hezbollah moving from its agreed-upon position at the Litani River – a mere 18 miles from the Israeli border; going right to the border of Israel – where reports of conversations between each side take place because of the mere yards of proximity they are from each other.
Syria, another neighboring country, also to the north of Israel, has been a significant player in the region’s conflicts. The civil war in Syria, which began in 2011, spilled
over into Israel’s territory, with occasional cross-border incidents and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian positions within Syria before the Gaza war.
The mention of Greece in Zechariah 9:13 has led some to speculate about the involvement of other nations in the conflicts surrounding Israel (NATO–descended Grecian Empirical peoples). While Greece may not have direct geographical proximity to Israel, its historical significance as a major power in the Mediterranean region can legitimately symbolize broader geopolitical dynamics at play.
The interpretation of Zechariah 9 in the context of modern geopolitics and seeing it in the prophecies of Zechariah, raises important questions about the ongoing conflicts and tensions in the Middle East, particularly those involving Israel and its neighbors to the north. The prophecy’s depiction of Jerusalem as a focal point of conflict and salvation resonates with the current situation in the region, where the city remains a contested symbol of religious and political significance.
In 1979 – I was chosen at the age of 12, along with 2 other students in the Chicagoland area – to be on a conference call with then-Egyptian President, Anwar Sadat shortly after the peace agreement was signed by him and Israeli President Menachem Begin. The three of us each had an opportunity to ask the Egyptian president a question – the news media was there…it was the beginning for me to begin study and interest in the modern state of Israel.
Today… I am saddened by the news that Egypt announced they are at the point of “walking away from the Camp David Accords…” This agreement Demilitarized the Sinai Peninsula, however, Egypt began encroaching with troop deployments into the region in 2012-2013 – but with Israeli permission. Now, they are about to give free rein to any ally of the Muslim world to invade the region, destabilizing it at best and allowing the forces of the northern border the opportunity for invasion. But the Father will not allow his people to ever lose their land again according to the promise of Amos 9:14-15:
“Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine And make gardens and eat their fruit. “I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them,” Says the Lord your God.”
The last few verses of Zechariah 9 say this, “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. How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.” – God WILL step in and protect Israel – the testimonies are endless of miracles that have happened since October 7th. Continue to pray and see the Salvation of Israel arise in this season – the knowledge of Messiah covering Israel as the waters cover the sea…It is the season…It is the time for outpouring to take place in God’s Firstborn.