06-12-2024, 03:17 PM
This is MacArthur's first release of a full commentary of an Old Testament book. His New Testament commentary series is (just my humble opinion) second to none. He chose to first release a commentary on Zechariah to start the Old Testament commentaries because Jesus Christ is so strongly present throughout the entire prophetic book.
I am very near the end, now going through chapter 14 (the final chapter of Zechariah). Today's particular section is especially great, as it does for us, today, what it was intended to do when God gave the words to Zechariah to write and to give to Israel. It was intended to encourage Israel, who had returned from 70 years in exile, in Babylon, and had been told to rebuild the temple. God reminded Israel of His promises to them, which is the same encouragement that it gives us, today. It is amazing to think that the opening words of Zechariah's prophecy were from ~520 B.C., prophesying not only of Christ, the Messiah, but of the end times when He returns and sets up His kingdom here on earth, bringing to an end all of this evil that we see so frequently, today.
THE COMMAND OF THE KING
And Yahweh will be king over all the earth; in that day Yahweh will be the only one, and His name one. (Zechariah 14:9)
Yahweh will be king marks the fulfillment of God's agenda for world history. It is the culmination of God's work through Israel (cf. Genesis 12:1-3; 17:6), the Davidic dynasty (1 Kings 8:16), the cross and resurrection (cf. Revelation 5:9-16), and all that will take place on the Day Of Yahweh. What creation has been waiting for (cf. Romans 8:19-21), what Israel has been anticipating, and what the world desperately needs will all be accomplished when the Messiah begins His millennial reign (cf. Revelation 20:4-5).
Zechariah did not only say that Yahweh will be king, but that He will be King over all the earth. Christ's absolute sovereign authority will not be limited in any way; He will exercise all dominion - ruling over every nation (Revelation 5:13; Haggai 2:22) and every creature in both the natural and supernatural realms. Though Satan has currently been given authority as prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2; cf. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19), the Messiah will crush him (cf. Genesis 3:15), casting him into the abyss (Revelation 20:3) and ultimately into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). As King, Christ will maintain absolute rule over the earth and all creation. The final Adam will possess the dominion lost by the first Adam.
Accordingly, in that day Yahweh will be the only one. Such language declares the very core of God's revelation to Israel as expressed in the Shema: "Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God! Yahweh is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4). In the millennial kingdom, the world will display that the Lord is the only true God (cf. Deuteronomy 12:1-19; 13:1-18; cf. Isaiah 42:8; 48:11). All forms of idolatry and false religion, including all false prophecy, will be eradicated (Zechariah 13:1-6). All worship will center in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4; Zechariah 14:17), focusing on Yahweh alone.
The Shema revealed the truth about God's oneness in a way consistent with His Triunity. This will also be displayed in the millennial kingdom. The Father will give the kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:27) to the Son who will rule as the Messianic king over the earth (Zechariah 14:9) empowered by the seven-fold ministry of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Zechariah 3:9; 4:10; Revelation 1:4). The unity and exclusivity of God will be confessed by the nations, who will acknowledge that His name is one. The Lord will "cut off the names of the idols from the land" (Zechariah 13:2); only the name of Yahweh will be confessed and worshiped (cf. Philippians 2:9-10). Such singular devotion and dominion will be the glory of the King as He reigns over all the earth.
I am very near the end, now going through chapter 14 (the final chapter of Zechariah). Today's particular section is especially great, as it does for us, today, what it was intended to do when God gave the words to Zechariah to write and to give to Israel. It was intended to encourage Israel, who had returned from 70 years in exile, in Babylon, and had been told to rebuild the temple. God reminded Israel of His promises to them, which is the same encouragement that it gives us, today. It is amazing to think that the opening words of Zechariah's prophecy were from ~520 B.C., prophesying not only of Christ, the Messiah, but of the end times when He returns and sets up His kingdom here on earth, bringing to an end all of this evil that we see so frequently, today.
THE COMMAND OF THE KING
And Yahweh will be king over all the earth; in that day Yahweh will be the only one, and His name one. (Zechariah 14:9)
Yahweh will be king marks the fulfillment of God's agenda for world history. It is the culmination of God's work through Israel (cf. Genesis 12:1-3; 17:6), the Davidic dynasty (1 Kings 8:16), the cross and resurrection (cf. Revelation 5:9-16), and all that will take place on the Day Of Yahweh. What creation has been waiting for (cf. Romans 8:19-21), what Israel has been anticipating, and what the world desperately needs will all be accomplished when the Messiah begins His millennial reign (cf. Revelation 20:4-5).
Zechariah did not only say that Yahweh will be king, but that He will be King over all the earth. Christ's absolute sovereign authority will not be limited in any way; He will exercise all dominion - ruling over every nation (Revelation 5:13; Haggai 2:22) and every creature in both the natural and supernatural realms. Though Satan has currently been given authority as prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2; cf. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19), the Messiah will crush him (cf. Genesis 3:15), casting him into the abyss (Revelation 20:3) and ultimately into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). As King, Christ will maintain absolute rule over the earth and all creation. The final Adam will possess the dominion lost by the first Adam.
Accordingly, in that day Yahweh will be the only one. Such language declares the very core of God's revelation to Israel as expressed in the Shema: "Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God! Yahweh is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4). In the millennial kingdom, the world will display that the Lord is the only true God (cf. Deuteronomy 12:1-19; 13:1-18; cf. Isaiah 42:8; 48:11). All forms of idolatry and false religion, including all false prophecy, will be eradicated (Zechariah 13:1-6). All worship will center in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4; Zechariah 14:17), focusing on Yahweh alone.
The Shema revealed the truth about God's oneness in a way consistent with His Triunity. This will also be displayed in the millennial kingdom. The Father will give the kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:27) to the Son who will rule as the Messianic king over the earth (Zechariah 14:9) empowered by the seven-fold ministry of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Zechariah 3:9; 4:10; Revelation 1:4). The unity and exclusivity of God will be confessed by the nations, who will acknowledge that His name is one. The Lord will "cut off the names of the idols from the land" (Zechariah 13:2); only the name of Yahweh will be confessed and worshiped (cf. Philippians 2:9-10). Such singular devotion and dominion will be the glory of the King as He reigns over all the earth.
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