TEXT:
"[1] The oracle of the word of the LORD is against the land
of Hadrach
and Damascus is its resting place.
For the LORD has an eye on mankind
and on all the tribes of Israel,
[2] and on Hamath also, which borders on it,
Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.
[3] Tyre has built herself a rampart
and heaped up silver like dust,
and fine gold like the mud of the streets.
[4] But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions
and strike down her power on the sea,
and she shall be devoured by fire.
[5] Ashkelon shall see it, and be afraid;
Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish;
Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded.
The king shall perish from Gaza;
Ashkelon shall be uninhabited;
[6] a mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod,
and I will cut off the pride of Philistia.
[7] I will take away its blood from its mouth,
and its abominations from between its teeth;
it too shall be a remnant for our God;
it shall be like a clan in Judah,
and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites.
[8] Then I will encamp at my house as a guard,
so that none shall march to and fro;
no oppressor shall again march over them,
for now I see with my own eyes."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Sometimes God’s judgment of sin can be a difficult topic discuss. But why is God’s judgment of sin an important topic to not overlook?
Discuss how God is both dangerous and safe?
Have there been moments in your life when it feels like God’s moving slower than you would like? If so, discuss. What are some things the LORD taught you in those times of waiting?
We’re now able to look back on history and see how this prophecy came to pass with “astonishing accuracy.” How should this increase our trust in God’s word?
SERMON MANUSCRIPT:
Today we come to a shift in the book of Zechariah. Zechariah can be divided into different sections depending on which commentary you read. Some divide it into three sections: chapters 1-6, chapters 7-8, and chapters 9-14. Others say that the book is divided into two sections: chapters 1-8 and chapters 9-14. Whichever way you choose to slice it, all commentators agree that chapter nine marks a new section in the book of Zechariah. At the start of the book, we see God speaking about their immediate context regarding the rebuilding of the temple. But, in chapters 9-14, we see the LORD shift to speaking on behalf of their future. These poetic verses are filled with hope centered around the promise of victory over the nations and the arrival of the Messiah. In our passage today, we see the LORD saying that when it comes to the life of their enemies, the sunshine of ease will soon be replaced with the cloudy skies of judgment.
Growing up in Pensacola, FL, I loved to surf. But I would be rich if I had a dollar every time I heard the words, "You can surf in the Gulf of Mexico?" After all, the Gulf of Mexico isn't the Pacific Ocean, and Pensacola Beach isn't Waikiki Beach. So, if you're unfamiliar with the Gulf of Mexico, you have difficulty believing there are waves here. Because of this, I've had to educate many on the intricacies of surfing the Panhandle of Florida over the years. When surfing the gulf, you look for two things: cold fronts in the winter and hurricanes in the summer. When the right storm comes through, the waves get so good that professional surfers from all over the world journey down to catch these waves.
Now, I hate to be cold. So, I prefer hurricane swells. I've surfed some of the best beaches in the world, and some of the best waves I've ever caught have been a day or two before a massive hurricane makes landfall.
But what's fascinating about surfing before a hurricane is that the beach is absolutely beautiful the day or two before the storm makes landfall. The sun is shining, and the air is warm and crisp. There's a sense of majestic peace and serenity in the air, and you would never guess that mass destruction is on the horizon.
Yet just because the sun is shining on a Tuesday doesn't mean a storm will not be here on Thursday. Soon enough, the clouds will roll in, the wind will pick up, and mass destruction will make landfall.
I think this is a healthy metaphor for our passage today. In chapter 1, we learned that the nations were at rest. There was a sense of peace and serenity amongst their neighboring countries as they lived in rebellion against the LORD. But, the LORD is saying that their sunshine of ease will soon be replaced with the cloudy skies of judgment. A hurricane of wrath is coming, and God will quickly bring judgment upon the nations.
Sometimes it may seem as if God is moving slowly. And when it appears that God is moving slowly, there's a temptation to think that God doesn't care. But today's passage teaches us that this is the farthest thing from the truth. God is not on a couch; he's on a throne. He is not idle; he is active. He is not indifferent; he cares. Where, at times, it may seem like there are no repercussions for sin, today's passage reminds us that God sees all things and will deal justly with sin. Today the LORD tosses aside general claims of judgment, and he begins to call out names. He is specific with his judgment. It is time for the LORD to return to his people and for him to pronounce judgment on their enemies.
In our passage today, there are five general points about God that I want us to highlight.
God is all-seeing.
God is all-powerful.
God is dangerous.
God is safe.
God's is truthful.
So, let's dive in.
"[1] The oracle of the word of the LORD is against the land
of Hadrach
and Damascus is its resting place.
For the LORD has an eye on mankind
and on all the tribes of Israel,
[2] and on Hamath also, which borders on it,
Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.
[3] Tyre has built herself a rampart
and heaped up silver like dust,
and fine gold like the mud of the streets.
[4] But behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions
and strike down her power on the sea,
and she shall be devoured by fire.
[5] Ashkelon shall see it, and be afraid;
Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish;
Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded.
The king shall perish from Gaza;
Ashkelon shall be uninhabited;
[6] a mixed people shall dwell in Ashdod,
and I will cut off the pride of Philistia.
[7] I will take away its blood from its mouth,
and its abominations from between its teeth;
it too shall be a remnant for our God;
it shall be like a clan in Judah,
and Ekron shall be like the Jebusites.
[8] Then I will encamp at my house as a guard,
so that none shall march to and fro;
no oppressor shall again march over them,
for now I see with my own eyes."
The first thing Zechariah says is, "The oracle of the word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus is its resting place." The word "oracle" means a strong and burdensome message so heavy that you must get it off your chest. And as we see, this message is against their neighboring lands. The first land mentioned is the land of Hadrach, a land in northern Syria. In this land, you would find the town of Damascus. So, through Zechariah, the LORD has a burdensome message for the land of Hadrach that will rest heavily on the city of Damascus.
GOD SEES AND JUDGMENT IS COMING
He then says, "The LORD has an eye on mankind and all the tribes of Israel, and on Hamath also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise."
This is a complex phrase that's difficult to translate. Therefore, your Bible likely has a footnote that says, "Or 'For the eye of mankind, especially all the tribes of Israel, is toward the LORD.'" One translation suggests God's sovereign eye over all creation, while the other implies anticipation of God's long-awaited action.
I don't think we have to dive into the weeds here. Instead, we can settle on this verse highlighting the long-anticipated judgment of the all-seeing God coming against their enemies. On the one hand, there is nothing that God does not see. He is not unaware of a single pen drop throughout history. And on the other hand, the all-seeing God of the universe has promised his people deliverance against their enemies.
So, now, as they look with anticipation, God's judgment is coming. The people who were at rest in their rebellion against God will soon experience the wrath of God because of their rebellion against God. It may have seemed like God had turned a blind eye to their sinful ways, but he has an eye on humanity. It may have once seemed like he was ignorant of the world's ways, but he is fully aware of what is going on. It may seem like he doesn't care about the oppression of his people, but he cares deeply and will act accordingly. A lack of action now does not mean God will not act in the future. God is all-seeing, and his judgment is coming.
I want to pause here for a moment.
Self-control is difficult, and indulgence is easy. The indulgence of sin may give you a sense of pleasure, rest, and happiness that self-control does not. You may bite into sin, bracing for pain and only finding delight. You may be walking in sin right now, and it feels like God has blessed your sinful efforts or, at the very least, doesn't care about them. But these verses remind us that this is the farthest thing from the truth. God's eyes are on mankind, and he will deal accordingly.
Like a mouse feasting on a piece of cheese in a mouse trap, the happiness and pleasure that comes from sin are momentary. They're fleeting. The rest and joy the enemy promises will last for a moment but always lead to death. The judgment of God was soon going to jolt their enemies awake. Soon the clouds would roll in, and their sunshine would be replaced with darkness. Their cool breeze would be replaced with strong winds. Their rest would be replaced with disaster.
THE EMPTY PROMISE OF WISDOM AND POWER
This week, the progression from the end of verse 2 through verse 4 stuck out to me. Although Tyre and Sidon were very wise, building for themselves a rampart and heaping up silver and gold, the LORD would strip away their possessions and strike them down. The source of her strength— the sea— will become the source of her demise. She will be devoured by fire, implying complete and total destruction. Tyre and Sidon will be completely wiped out, never to be restored. Those who prided themselves in being wise will fall to their own demise. Those with great political power will be shown as powerless whenever God decides to act.
I think this provides a stern warning to us. You may be unbelievably wise, shrewd, and powerful. But, you cannot out-wit God, nor can you overpower him.
You may be a craftsman with words who can talk your way out of any trouble. But no amount of wit can save you when God's judgment comes.
Like Mufasa in The Lion King, simply mentioning your name may strike fear into the hearts of those around you. But, when God's judgment comes, your strength will dwindle to nothing.
No amount of wit or wisdom will save you against God's judgment. No wall built by man will keep God out when he marches in. He is all-powerful.
As we see in verses 5-6, when Tyre and Sidon are struck down, their neighboring cities will be struck with fear knowing that they stand no chance. Ashkelon will see it and be afraid, ultimately becoming an uninhabited people. Gaza will squirm in anguish, leading to their king perishing. Similarly, the hopes Ekron will be stunned and Ashdod will become a mixed people.
Friends, these verses remind us that God is not always safe. God's judgment is coming, and if you choose to reject his gracious extension of life in Christ, his presence will be dangerous. You may be able to mock him when he's seated, but the moment God stands up, you will tremble. The moment God raises his fist, you will quake in fear. God is holy, righteous, and just. So, if you think he will simply shrug his shoulders and let you slide, think again. Expect judgment to come if you choose to disobey God, mocking him with your life.
A MESSAGE OF HOPE
There's an interesting and hopeful development at the end of verse 6 and verse 7. The pride of Philistia will be cut off. God will remove its blood from its mouth and its abominations from between its teeth.
That's a weird thing to say. But, most commentators and historians point out that these people were known for eating bloody sacrifices at this time. So, God was going to take idolatrous people and make them holy. They, too, will become a remnant for our God, like a clan in Judah. Ekron (a city in Philistria) will be like the Jebusites. The Jebusites were those who inhabited Jerusalem before David conquered them. They were the ones who once mocked God's people. But, instead of being completely wiped out, they eventually dwelled with God's people in Jerusalem, later grafted into his kingdom. So, God is saying that Philistria will be grafted into God's kingdom and become a people of hope.
Here God doesn't just promise judgment; he promises protection and deliverance. He says, "Then I will encamp at my house as a guard so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again march over them, for now I see with my own eyes." These words don't imply that God couldn't see before. Instead, they reiterate that God is now again watching over them with his divine protection. As he had in the past, he will be their guard, and no oppressor will march over them. So, in the same way that God is dangerous, he is also safe. God doesn't just promise judgment; he also promises deliverance. Those who dwell with God experience the protection of God.
There's a temptation to look out into the world and think that a life away from God is better than a life with God. But we must guard our hearts and remember that God will judge this evil world one day. But those whose faith resides in Christ will be spared and passed over. Brothers and sisters, if your faith resides in Christ, you are safe in him. You are safe in him. God's wrath has been poured out on his Son so that you might be saved, and God is your guard and protector today.
Now, what's remarkable is that historically, we're able to see these words ring true as we look back on history. At least 150 years after these words were penned, we see these words fulfilled with "astonishing accuracy." In 333 BC, the famous Macedonian conqueror, Alexander the Great, won a victory over the Persians at Issus. And he then begins traveling south down the coast, following nearly identical the route laid out here in Zechariah. According to history, Alexander spared God's people in Jerusalem instead of destroying them. The details of these stories are debated. But what's certain is that these cities were destroyed, and God's people remained unharmed.
God is truthful. When he says something, we can always bank on it being true. We can trust God's word to be true. So, walk in obedience to your LORD today, trusting that he will never leave you nor forsake you, just as he promised.