I love the way Zechariah�s words change. Zechariah starts with what feels like condemnation upon Israel�s enemies, in a very conventional way, verse 4

This is a typically Old Testament way of viewing Gods power and Lordship. He will come with destruction and physical power. Then all of a sudden in verse 9 we hear ââ?¬Å?gentle and riding on a donkeyââ?¬Â. What a very different image, one that would be seen as weak.

I think that we can understand something of people�s disappointment and expectation when Jesus did not defeat and conquer the Romans. Not quite the victory they had in mind. This is a prophecy of victory, but with hindsight we know that the victory of Jesus upon the cross is in no way a human perception of victory. Only this exceptional plan would be worthy of God�s hand.

Verses 9 to 12 amaze me; I love it that Zechariah had these words 500 years before Christ. This really shouldn�t amaze me, if God can create the heavens a few prophetic words is nothing to him. After all he is the Lord of time. I wonder how we respond to prophecy that doesn�t seem to come true in our life time. Were people really waiting upon Zechariahs prophecies with expectation before the birth of Christ? Do we have prophets from the last thousand years whose words we are expecting to be fulfilled? How do we deal with prophetic words from our congregations?

I wonder if prophetic words are mixed up because of our humanity getting in the way of Godââ?¬â?¢s communication with us or if God intends it that way. Part of me thinks it has to be Godââ?¬â?¢s plan as itââ?¬â?¢s in the Bible, but I wonder if thatââ?¬â?¢s a bit close minded. Is it possible that some of what Zechariah has to say is from him and not God? Verse 8 says ââ?¬Å?Never again will any oppressor overrun my peopleââ?¬Â, this has clearly not been fulfilled. The question is, will it ever be fulfilled or is it the passionate desire of a good intentioned prophet?