Old Testament - Zechariah 9-11 - 12-9-2022

 12/8/2022 – Zechariah 9-11

Major things are learned in these three chapters: Zechariah prophesies of Christ’s ministry, telling all that He will enter Jerusalem riding upon an ass. He also tells us that the spirits in prison will be redeemed by the blood of the covenant, and that scattered Israel will be gathered, redeemed, and strengthened. And finally, that Christ will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.

Chapter 9

I find v 1 very interesting and informative: “The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus…” That short sentence reminds me that working for the Lord really is working, and sometimes even seems like a burden, but it is the most important burden we carry, and one we should be checking in on every single day.

V 9 tells us of Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He calls Christ “our King” who “is just, and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass…”.  The student manual tells us that in times, “many Jews were looking only for a deliverer from the Roman power and for a greater National prosperity.” When Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem, many Jews cheered for Him as a messiah, or a political deliverer, not necessarily THE Messiah, who would bring them eternal salvation.  The title Messiah means “the anointed Prophet, Priest, King, and Deliverer whose coming the Jews were eagerly expecting.”  When I pray asking the Lord for better or easier times, I need to realize that the thing He is most concerned about is my relationship with Him and my efforts in following his commandments. THAT is what will bring eternal happiness.

I so love this simple statement that was in the student manual: “Remember that Jesus Christ can save and free not only those who are bound by sin in mortality but also those who are bound in the spirit world.” This world is our “college time” where we learn and grow, then after our graduation, we can use those things we learned, build on those things and continue to grow and to advance.

Chapter 10 the Lord tells us just how He will help His people. He gives us many examples of how He will help, but the first that touches me the most is in v’ 7-8: “…yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord. I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase…”. That small and special phrase reminds us that listening for the Lord is most often listening to the quiet things, the ‘hissing’ that suddenly comes to my mind. His help very rarely comes in a shout. 

He ends this chapter with v 12. He is speaking to those of us in the latter days: “and I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord.”

Basically, he recognizes that while we may live in difficult times, He is there to give us extra strength at the time when extra work is certainly needed.

Chapter 11 This chapter is difficult for me to understand. I know He is still speaking of the last days and the many problems people will be struggling with. But v’s 11 and 17 stood out to me, and touched my heart: “…so the poor of the flock [that’s His flock] that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord…Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock!....”  I read those words and think: Watch, and I will know; and the important thing for me is to work, to keep ever vigilant, and to stay with my flock!  That has given me so much comfort in my past, and this assures me that as I stay close to Him, I will continue to be blessed with His comfort and His warmth.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson said: “While yet in life, Jesus prophesied that He would also preach to the dead. Peter tells us this happened in the interval between the Savior’s Crucifixion and Resurrection (see 1 Peter 3:18–19). President Joseph F. Smith . . . witnessed in vision that the Savior visited the spirit world and ‘from among the righteous [spirits], he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness. . . . “‘These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, [and] the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands’ (D&C 138:30, 33). . . . “. . . Jesus Christ is the divine Redeemer of all mankind. His grace and promises reach even those who in life do not find Him. Because of Him, the prisoners shall indeed go free” (“Why Do We Baptize for the Dead?” New Era, Mar. 2009, 2, 5).