Zechariah 9:1-17
This "burden" concerns the people who are neighbours of the Israelites. Their behaviour had been observed, unknown to them, for the LORD says: "Now have I seen with mine eyes". (vv. 1, 8). Yes, how many forget this holy observation, and carry on as if the Lord did not see them.
God is here preparing to destroy human wisdom and the might of Tyre, the false confidence of Ekron, the pride and abomination of the Philistines . . . Thus the way will be open to the Messiah’s coming to proclaim peace and to exercise dominion even to the ends of the earth. He did come, in fact, this King "riding upon an ass" (v. 9; John 12:15). But His people did not accept Him, and now for nearly two thousand years prophecy is in a sense suspended between vv. 9 and 10. It will soon resume its course. After terrible judgments the King will appear again in all His majesty. His goodness and His beauty will both be admired. "Grace is poured into thy lips . . ." proclaims the psalm "touching the king" (Psalms 45:2). Something infinitely moving — His redeemed ones will then be like the precious stones of His crown (v. 16): they will enhance the wonderful beauty of the King (Isaiah 62:3)! At the same time the very fact of their being present with Him will render witness to His unspeakable goodness (Psalms 31:19; Psalms 31:21).