Introduction: Verses 9-17 offer a striking contrast to the first part of the chapter. The individual presented is not merely a human conqueror, but one divine; not one that rules through fear and intimidation, but one that stimulates rejoicing and exaltation; not a foreign tyrant, but Israel's own King; neither cruel nor oppressive, but infinitely just and righteous; not slaying his foes, but bringing salvation with him; rather than riding upon an highly spirited stallion, he comes riding an ass. Humanly speaking, one can understand why the majority of those with whom He was acquainted did not recognize Him. To this day many Jews wait for someone they missed well over 1900 years ago.

II. THE FIRST AND SECOND COMINGS OF THE MESSIAH (Zech. 9:9-17):

A. The Messiah - The King (9:9) (Rev. 19:6; Isa. 32:1; Ps. 72:1-20) -

Prophesying some 500 years before the coming of Messiah, Zechariah pens the words to which Jesus brings fulfillment in (Matt.21:1-5; Jn. 12:12-15 and Lk. 19:28-44).

There are many proofs of the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, certainly the Kingship of Christ is one of the strongest of arguments. Examine the verses above along with these that follow: (Jer. 23:5,6; Ps. 2:6; Micah 5:2). The Comings of Christ are typified by the great King David in (II Samuel 16:1,2) and following.

He is described as being "just": (Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14; Isa. 45:21; Zeph. 3:5); "having salvation": (Lk. 1:68-77; Matt. 1:21); "lowly": (Matt. 11:29; 21:5 (meek). The contrast of the First and Second Comings can be seen by comparing (Jer. 17:25; Rev. 19:11 14).

B. The Messiah - The Prince of Peace (9:10,11) (Isa. 9:6; Acts 3:15; 5:31) -

Peace will be one of the important marks of this King. The King will not save by bow or horsemen (Hosea 1:7; Micah 5:10). Contrary to the inventions of human device, this King will not need a military monstrosity to enforce his sovereign, irreversible decrees. His reign is described sufficiently in (Isa. 2:1-4; Ps. 72:3,7; 46:9; 85:8,9).

His "dominion" will be universal, eternal and ever increasing (II Sam. 7:13; Ps. 89:3,4; 132:10,11; 72:8; Isa. 9:7).

Redemption is procured in "the blood of the covenant" (Exodus 24:8; Deut. 30:1-10; II Sam. 7:4-17; Heb. 10:10,12,14). Two great Old Testament saints picture spiritually the thought of the verse, Joseph (Gen. 37:24) and Jeremiah (Jer. 38:6). There may be even a deeper meaning found in (I Pet. 3:18-4:6; Isa. 42:7; 61:1; Lk. 16).

C. The Messiah - The Judge (9:12,13) (Heb. 12:23; Gen. 18:25; Isa. 33:22) -

"Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope...." The context is the future restoration of Israel (Isa. 49:7-12). The Lord will "balance his books" with his people, Israel. The nation has paid doubly for her sins over the centuries (Isa. 61:7; 40:2). God will now restore her double as the Lord's firstborn, (Ex. 4:22; Deut. 21:15-17). Job is a type of Israel , (Job 42:10). This is the reward of Israel .

Contrasting Israel's reward, the Judge passes sentence on the Greeks (Ionians, Javan, (Gen. 10:2; Eze. 27:13; Isa. 66:19). In bold metaphor, the Lord compares Himself to a warrior using Judah as His bow, Ephraim as His arrow. Judah represents the southern kingdom, Judah and Benjamin; Ephraim represents the northern kingdom, the ten tribes, sometimes called "Israel."

The reference envisions the mighty delivering hand of the Lord in the war of the Maccabees in a later and very critical period of Jewish history (175-163 B.C.). The Judge of all the earth judges in purity, righteousness and truth (James. 3:15-18; Matt. 6:33; Zech. 8:16).

D. The Messiah - The Man of War (9:14,15) (Ex. 15:3; Rev. 19:11; Isa. 42:13) -

Although the Lord Jesus came the first time meek and lowly riding upon an ass, he comes the second time as the avenger of the enemies of Israel. He is the defense of Israel, (II Sam. 22:2; Ps. 18:2; 31:3; 71:3); He is the devourer of the enemies of Israel, (Lk. 1:71,74; Lev. 26:7,8; Zech. 12:6); He is the delight of Israel, (Isa. 35:1-10; 26:1-3).

Verse 14 portrays the Lord protecting His people under the figure of a storm. As the protector of His people the lightning becomes the Lord's arrow, the thunderclap the blowing of His trumpet (Joel 2:1; Isa. 27: 13; Matt. 24:31; Jer. 4:5).

The context of verse 15 is Armageddon, (Rev. 16:16). The filled bowls and corners of the altar are symbolic of the blood that will be shed during this battle, (Rev. 14:20) (See also Lev. 1:5,11; Eze. 27:3; 38:3; Num. 4:14; Jer. 52:18; Zech. 14:20).

E. The Messiah - The Great Shepherd (9:16,17) (I Pet. 2:25; 5:4; Heb. 13:20; Isa. 40:10,11) -

Jesus is the good shepherd (Jn. 10:11), He is the chief shepherd of the flock of Israel Israel is referred to as a flock of sheep in these other passages. (Jn. 10:16; Ps. 100:3). In His ministry as the Great Shepherd of the nation Israel, He first provides salvation to Israel (Rom. 9:4,5; 11:26- 36; Joel 2:32); the exaltation of Israel (Isa. 2:2-4; 27:13; 49.227). They shall be as the stones of a crown (Mal. 3:17; Isa. 61: 10) provisions for Israel (Eze. 34:27; 36:29-31; Joel 2:19).