Burdens and Empires

O. T. #2305 "Burdens and Empires"

Oct. 11, 2022

Zechariah 9

LET IT GLOW

Good news-the King is coming, Jesus Christ, to destroy Judah's enemies, protect them, and bring peace and prosperity. I like how Tony Evans put it: "His glorious kingdom will have a champion who will make the house of Judah the preeminent empire on the planet. Zechariah reveals the agenda of the King."

Zechariah is given a rough outline of God's plan for the times of the Gentiles from Israel's point of view. So now we have the details of the 2 burdens with details of various powers and the future of the redeemed nation. (Falwell)

There will come a time when God's enemies will be permanently removed. The first burden concerns Syria, Phoenicia, and Philistia as representatives of all Israel's enemies. Here are what was thought to be those empires:

• Medo-Persian (chapter 1-8)
• Grecian (chapters 9-10)
• Roman (chapter 11)
• Messiah's Empire (chapters 12-14). (Liberty Bible Commentary)

The first burden concerns 9:1-11:17. This burden (a heavy, weighty thing) of the Word of the LORD was grievous to the prophet since it concerned the wrath of God.

Are we carrying this burden to others? Jesus is coming soon to destroy the evil ones and establish His kingdom.