SOAP Journal 07-02-2007 (Zech 9:9-10)

Scripture:

Zech 9:9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey – on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey. 9:10 I will remove the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be removed. Then he will announce peace to the nations. His dominion will be from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

Observation:

The parody of a triumphal entry by a war-winning king is the image of a monarch on a young donkey - a runt below and above. Jesus fulfilled this on His march over the palms to the noise of hosannas among the fickle people of Jerusalem. But here, in the originating prophetic text, we have the punch line - the extent and effect of His utter rule the next time we see Him. The machinery of war will be removed and the ruled land under Him will be extensive.

Application:

To learn how NOT to be impressed with the saber rattling and chest thumping rulers in my life is to grasp the rule of God's kingdom. Inasmuch as it defies worldly patterns and expressions, it is also internal versus external. The King on the donkey conquers hearts as much as He conquers physical land, indeed his physical land conquest is spiritual - the devoted hearts of people establish His righteouesness by advancing His internal reign.

Prayer:

Lord, let me seek Your rule, Your reign, more than the reign of men - or the reign of me. Conquering King, please conquer my heart. Show me places of rank rebellion, places of slow obedience - if there is a difference - and show me the wickedness, hurt or other basis for my lack of crowning You King over my heart. Come and reign! Hosanna!