Daily Blast - Minor Prophets: Day 19
Scripture
“As for you, watchtower of the flock,
stronghold of Daughter Zion,
the former dominion will be restored to you;
kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”
9 Why do you now cry aloud—
have you no king?
Has your ruler perished,
that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?
10 Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion,
like a woman in labor,
for now you must leave the city
to camp in the open field.
You will go to Babylon;
there you will be rescued.
There the Lord will redeem you
out of the hand of your enemies.
11 But now many nations
are gathered against you.
They say, “Let her be defiled,
let our eyes gloat over Zion!”
12 But they do not know
the thoughts of the Lord;
they do not understand his plan,
that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
13 “Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion,
for I will give you horns of iron;
I will give you hooves of bronze,
and you will break to pieces many nations.”
You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord,
their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.”
Reflection
Within chapter 4:8-13, the LORD repeatedly refers to His people as the ‘daughter of Zion’. ‘Zion’ is the ‘heavenly Jerusalem’; it’s God’s holy eternal kingdom for His people. We learn about how God’s kingdom will triumph; how there will be restoration for God’s people when they leave Assyria and go to Babylon. There God’s people find redemption from their enemies. Isn’t it amazing how God is our faithful Father, who will never leave us nor forsake us? That we, as God’s children, can be assured of His perfect plan for our lives?
We are then told about the hope of the Coming Messiah – the One to be Ruler of Israel. He will be the Prince of Peace – until the ends of the earth He shall reign to Shepherd His people. Who is God talking about here? Our Bethlehem-born Saviour Lord Jesus of course! You see, God has always had a plan to redeem His people.
So, God’s Kingdom – the remnant of the nations – will be saved. God’s people are described as ‘dew of the Lord’, ‘showers on the grass’, ‘lion among the beasts of the forest’ and even a ‘young lion among flocks of sheep’. It’s saying that God’s people will be superior; that they will be set apart as His own special people blessing the nations and ruling over evil. God will equip His people – they will be lifted up against their enemies. 1 Peter 2:9 says that we are ‘chosen’, that we are ‘a royal priesthood’ and ‘peculiar’, set apart to do great things in His Name.
Challenge
During this challenging time of uncertainty, think about how you can be a blessing in your family and your community. What ‘peculiar’ things can you do for people or even say to people that will give them hope? Ask God what He thinks you should do.