Zechariah 9

“I will camp around My house because of the army, because of him who passes by and him who returns. No more shall an oppressor pass through them, for now I have seen with My eyes.” (Zechariah 9:8, NKJV)

In Zechariah 9, the prophet predicts three significant events: the coming of Alexander the Great, the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem, and the battle of Armageddon. This shows the telescopic nature of Bible prophecy where events separated by thousands of years can appear close together.

Tyre was the Phoenician seaport that was considered impregnable. Nebuchadnezzar had tried to conquer it, but during the thirteen-year siege, the people moved their city off the mainland onto an offshore island. When Nebuchadnezzar breached the walls, the city was abandoned except for some poor people. The new city of Tyre was surrounded by a double wall 150 feet high that was filled with 25 feet of earth. Zechariah prophesied that the LORD would destroy her power in the sea. This was fulfilled by Alexander the Great who took the stones, timber and other materials of the old city and built a causeway to the island and conquered it. After this, Alexander took Gaza and other cities of the Philistines, cutting off their pride.

But God would protect His newly rebuilt temple and defend the city of Jerusalem. Alexander would demand tribute from Jerusalem, which the high priest refused to pay. This infuriated Alexander, and he decided to conquer Jerusalem after he completed his Philistine conquests. The Jewish historian Josephus describes how Zechariah’s prophecy was marvelously fulfilled and how God protected the city. Alexander passed by Jerusalem and returned, but God camped around His house and changed Alexander’s mind through a miraculous set of circumstances.

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him and delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7, ESV)

Have you made the Lord your refuge? Then rest assured. The angel of the LORD is watching, and heaven’s army is protecting you. One angel wiped out 185,000 Assyrian troops. He is adequate for the opposition you face. As we trust Christ and keep His commandments, He delivers us from the enemy and from all our troubles. So do not fear, you of little faith!