God Helps His People Fight Their Battles
August 31, 2019
Commentary
Covenants in Old Testament times were sealed with blood, much like we would sign our name to a contract today. “The blood of thy covenant” (v. 11) may refer to the sacrifices of the mosaic covenant (Ex. 24:8), but could relate back to the Abrahamic covenant which was confirmed with a blood sacrifice (Gen. 15:8-21). God’s faithfulness to His covenants with Israel is His basis for delivering her from worldwide dispersion. The pit referred to in this verse was an empty cistern used as a dungeon where prisoners were frequently detained (Ex. Joseph in Gen. 37:21-24). This is a graphic picture of what God considers Babylon to be like. These exiles were viewed as “prisoners of hope,” (v. 12) looking forward to the time when they would be free from Persia’s control.
After Solomon’s reign, the kingdom was divided into the northern kingdom (called Israel) and the southern kingdom (called Judah). This prophecy says that all of this territory, north and south will someday be reunited. This passage seems to refer to the deliverance Israel experienced when Greece restored a little freedom to them (vv. 13-16). The battle of Israel against their enemies is described poetically in term of a thunderstorm as God directs His people (v. 14). Not only does God empower His people for offense but He is also their defense. They shall consume their enemies that shall fall as the “sling stones” (v. 15) which have missed their aim. God will care for them as a shepherd cares for his flock (vv. 16-17). Before these enemies, they were as sheep in the midst of wolves. If the Lord had not saved them and enabled them to accomplish His bidding, they would have perished.
Application
We can see over and over again in the Old Testament how God fought impossible battles for the Israelites and delivered them. As His child He wants to fight my battles if I will just allow Him to. What battle do I need to turn over to Him today?
Zechariah 9:11– 17 (NET)
11 Moreover, as for you, because of our covenant relationship secured with blood, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit. 12 Return to the stronghold, you prisoners, with hope; today I declare that I will return double what was taken from you. 13 I will bend Judah as my bow; I will load the bow with Ephraim, my arrow. I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and I will make you, Zion, like a warrior’s sword.
14 Then the Lord will appear above them, and his arrow will shoot forth like lightning; the Sovereign Lord will blow the trumpet and will proceed in the southern storm winds. 15 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will guard them, and they will prevail and overcome with sling stones. Then they will drink and will become noisy like drunkards, full like the sacrificial basin or like the corners of the altar. 16 On that day the Lord their God will deliver them as the flock of his people, for they are the precious stones of a crown sparkling over his land. 17 How precious and fair! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.
Illustration: Paton Tribal Chief Sees Hundreds Protecting Him
John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. Later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from killing them. The chief replied that he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station. Paton knew no men were present. (Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18)