Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
(Zechariah 9:9)

Familiar is this verse from its proclamation at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem the week before He was crucified (see Matt 21:5 and John 12:15). It was given at a difficult time in the life of Israel, as was often the case when God sent Messianic messages of hope.

The people of God had just returned to the land after 70 some years of Babylonian captivity. Thoroughly chastised, they had set about readjusting to life back in the Promised Land, but their experience was far from what God had promised Abraham: a blessed life that would in turn be a blessing to the nations. Work on rebuilding the temple lagged, and God needed prophets like Zechariah and Haggai to urge His people on. Zechariah, in particular, had eight visions for the future, one of which is our passage for today, the most notable of all. The Davidic dynasty was in shambles, the glory years of Solomon a faint memory preserved in the ruins of the city. What was to become of the Jews now, still under domination of foreign rulers?

The thread of hope, the ray of God’s light, continually shined through by the ministry of the prophets. God’s message remained: there is a future for Israel, and there will be a king.

Notice the details of the prophecy. Zechariah speaks poetically of Israel as “O daughter of Zion … daughter of Jerusalem,” conveying an intimacy of familial connection. Second, this prophecy anticipates a time of rejoicing in the dreary, depressing world of post-captivity. A prisoner set free has lost years as well as possessions, 70 years being sufficient to destroy what was left. Jubilation would seem completely misplaced, yet here was the promise that it would come. Third, this prospect is tied in with the promise of a coming King, “your” king. This will not be the king of a nation conquering Israel, but their King, one continuing in the line of David.

Notice the character of the promised, coming King. He will be just and clothed, as it were, with salvation. His victory garb has to do with rescuing His people from all that will keep them from being the blessing to the world as God promised Abraham and his descendants. Finally, notice how the King would arrive: humbly and lowly. Not on a thoroughbred steed, but on a young donkey, indicating victory and peace.

Lord, I need You as King of my life, to rule over my thoughts, fears and doubts.