Hamath, Tyrus and Zidon - Zechariah 9:2

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said, “The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD”, and in chapter nine and verse two of Zechariah, Zechariah shared about, “Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon” where we read,

And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

The verse reads, “And Hamath also shall border thereby;” Zechariah began with the words, “and Hamath also” or “and Hamath whose name means fortress and was the principle city of upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes even so and indeed” “shall border thereby” which means “will exist the set bounds of Damascus”. Zechariah shared how the principle city of Syria name “Hamath” would indeed face the “burden” of the wrath of Jehovah God.

The verse continues, “Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.” Zechariah added the word, “Tyrus” or Tyre whose name means “a rock” and was the Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast in Palestine, “and Zidon” or “Sidon whose name means hunting and was the ancient Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast north of Tyrus or Tyre” “though it be very wise” or “since and indeed it, Tyrus, exists as exceedingly sagacious and made firm, sound and free from defect by the exercise of skill”. Zechariah shared how the cities of “Tyre and Sidon” would not escape the “burden” of Jehovah God even though they acted with great wisdom. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how Jehovah God continued to share His judgment that would fall upon the cities that surrounded Israel because they abused and neglected His people. God brought judgment upon the land of Israel for their obstinance against Him, however, other cities not only relished in their demise, but they often helped to carry out Israel's punishment in a cruel manner. God saw this, and “Hadrach, Damascus, Hamath, Tyrus and Zidon” would pay a great price for their insolence as the armies from Greece under Alexander the Great overtook them all. God chose the people of Israel to be the nation through whom all the world would be blessed, (See Genesis 26:4) and because His Son and Messiah Jesus would arrive through the nation of Israel, they were and are constantly under attack. Any city or nation that comes against God's chosen people will not only contend with them, but also with Almighty God because Jesus came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. Anyone, including us, who yields themselves to Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and kept eternally by His mighty protective and providing hand. All others who reject Him will contend with Him and woe be to them when His “burden of wrath” is upon them. 

Next time Zechariah says, “Tyrus did build herself a strong hold”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".