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ZECHARIAH 9:1-17 | REVELATION 17:1-18 | PSALM 145:1-21 | PROVERBS 30:32
In one of the most striking chapters in this book so far, Zechariah announces the judgement of God on Israel’s enemies, and then seals the deal with these words:
8 Never again will an oppressor overrun my people,
for now I am keeping watch.
And yet, the announcement of Zion’s King presents the image of a most humble and lowly entrance. Zechariah says:
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.
Not in a chariot driven by horses or some such grand scene. A donkey, if you will.
Not unlike his birth into the world in a lowly stable with farm animals.
And the promise is a substantial one. Zechariah continues to be the mouthpiece of the Lord when he says to the people of Israel:
10 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.
May it be that like the Israelites of old, you and I are also prisoners of hope!
Turning next to our reading in the book of Revelation, we find perhaps one of the more involved chapters that delves deep into the continued theme of the Apocalypse. Rich in simile and imagery, it begs for scholarly interpretation. I would urge you to study this at your leisure.
Today’s Psalm is yet another great one of praise. I can’t help but reproduce here the last four verses — words to comfort and uplift, and claim as promises to rely on:
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.
Finally, a most profound piece of advice from the book of Proverbs, penned by Solomon, wise king of Israel:
32 “If you play the fool and exalt yourself,
or if you plan evil,
clap your hand over your mouth!
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word. Amen.
This is the verse that I feel was written for me: 12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. Yes, twice as much is what has been restored to me! If I’d lost anything, not only was that recovered, but to it was added another heaping of a blessing! I have seen it with mine own eyes how the Lord has blessed and then again blessed me a second time. Thank you, Lord, for making me a prisoner of hope!
This is a lovely piece, simmi, i would like to call it the best of all that’s been up so far.I am a stranger to such lovely philosophy and wisdom, but nevertheless, in a way, i feel i fall under the ambit of this verse, too!
omg, dear one, i didn’t remember that i’d posted a comment on my own post! only now have i seen it thanks to your comment that brought me here. i do, of course, claim every word that i’d stated earlier! i am very happy to see that you are reading my all-but-private MTB blog. little did i know that you were! may you be richly blessed in this effort!please know that i stand ready to respond to any question you might ever have, or to engage with you in any way that you may wish on this blog. it would be my pleasure and privilege to be a source of information and hopefully a blessing to you.
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