Knowing The Word in the Minor Prophets: The Coming, Saving King, Zechariah 9:9-17

Zechariah prophesies the coming of a king in triumph into Jerusalem riding “on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Jesus fulfills this prophesy, as noted by all the gospel writers, and the prophesy of salvation Zechariah writes about in the following verses.

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. 13 For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior's sword.

14 Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. 15 The Lord of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar.

16 On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. 17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.

Jesus, King of the universe,

Ride on in humble majesty.

Ride on through conflict and debate.

Ride on through sweaty prayer and betrayal of friends.

Ride on to the empty tomb and your rising in triumph.

Ride on to raise up your Church, a new body for your service.

Ride on, King Jesus, to renew the whole earth in your image, in compassion come to help us. [Source unknown from India]