The Weightiness of God’s Message | Zechariah 9:1-10 | Richard Caldwell

Scripture

• Zechariah 9:1–10

About this sermon

Introduction: It might be true to say that one of the greatest battles the believer has with sin is the battle of treating weighty things in a light fashion. ESV 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? There are two “burdens” given in the final chapters of the book of Zechariah. The word “מַשָּׂא” introduces a section starting in chapter 9, and then you will find it again at the beginning of chapter 12. The word has been translated in more than one way, but the meaning of the word is a burden. Joyce Baldwin — “A detailed study of the word maśśāʾ has been made by P. A. H. de Boer, who examines its sixty-odd occurrences in the Old Testament, consults the ancient versions to see how early translators understood it, and finally, after considering examples of modern exegesis, he reaches his conclusions. … Maśśāʾ is a burden, ‘imposed by a master, a despot or a deity on their subjects, beasts, men or things’. It can apply to leadership of God’s people, to a cultic duty and to a judgment of God. As used in prophecy it acquires an ominous sense linked up with the catastrophic nature of so many prophecies. In the headings of prophetic oracles maśśāʾ means ‘burden imposed on …’. As a technical term it introduces the theme of the following passage, indicating the character of the prophecy… It lays stress on the prophet’s sense of constraint in giving the message that follows. He would not have chosen to give it but he finds he has no option (cf. Jer. 20:9; Luke 12:49, 50). It has been placed on him, and like the loadbearer, he has to accept it and discharge his duty. Like an ambassador he is given his message, and however unacceptable it may be he cannot alter it; hence the burdensome aspect of his calling.” This is a reality expressed in the Old Testament by more than just this word. See the lives of Old Testament prophets. See the lives of the apostles. Note how they were compelled by the knowledge of WHAT THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN. Note how they were compelled by their calling and responsibility to deliver the Words of God. Note how they suffered for the message they preached. THAT IS THE WEIGHTINESS OF SCRIPTURE. The last part of Zechariah will include MUCH encouragement. It represents some of the most breathtaking futuristic prophecy found anywhere in Scripture. But it also presents judgment. And the judgments on display have to do with all humanity. The ISSUES addressed, including the 1st coming of the Messiah, and the kingdom that He ushers in when He comes again, and all the judgments associated with these events — are the weightiest issues we could ever encounter. So that, at the very beginning of this 9th chapter, our hearts are challenged. Do we feel Zechariah’s burden? Do we recognize the SERIOUSNESS of the things with which we engage? Do we have any sense of the WONDER of the things that have been given to us in Scripture? THE FUTURE WAS BEING REVEALED TO THE PEOPLE OF ZECHARIAH’S TIME. SOME OF THIS REPRESENTS THE FUTURE BEING REVEALED TO US, ON THIS VERY NIGHT. ARE WE RECOGNIZING THE REVERENCE THAT BELONGS TO SUCH REVELATION? What Zechariah is given in our verses we will organize into three parts. (1) The weightiness of God’s Retribution (vs.1-8) (2) The weightiness of God’s Redemption (vs.9) (3) The weightiness of God’s Rule (vs.10) I. THE WEIGHTINESS OF GOD’S RETRIBUTION (vs.1-8) The first 8 verses contain a series of promises regarding God’s judgment against nations and cities that surrounded Israel. Just as God had promised judgment for Israel’s persecutors earlier in the book, so He promises judgment here. These areas that are mentioned represent people who had long been enemies of God’s people, had been as used as instruments of God’s judgment upon Israel, but now will meet with God’s just judgment themselves. God is promising retribution. God promises punishment, vengeance, for their wickedness. But at the end of the 8 verses, beginning with that last portion of verse 6, there are also promises of salvation. Promises that God will protect His people Israel, and that He will save a remnant from among their enemies, who will join them in the worship of the true God. The way in which the lands and cities are described seems to follow an order that would belong to a military conquest. The Spirit of God describes what is like God’s retribution marching from the lands north of Israel, down the Mediterranean seacoast, on the way to Egypt.