God, Maker and Shaper of History

 

This morning I am reading from the Book of Zechariah and came upon an interesting verse, which I decided to research.  Here is the verse - Zechariah 9:8 NIV:

[8] "But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch."

When I read that verse I was a bit perplexed, as clearly the Temple was overrun by the Romans, and completely destroyed, so I was trying to understand the context of this verse.  I went online to one of my favorite Bible Commentators David Guzik's site www.enduringword.com and was reading his notes, Since I am not a Bible scholar in any way, I like to initially read commentaries to give me perspective that the authors have gained in their studies.

Here is some of what I learned from David Guzik's entry for this verse and chapter.

1) These verses (5-8) were prophecies concerning the next period, and accurately foretold the conquest of the eastern Mediterranean coastlands by Greek armies under the command of Alexander the Great. 

2) Verse 8 is a prophecy concerning a very interesting historical event concerning Alexander, as noted by Josephus (Antiquities 11 8;4-5).

Here is the account of Josephus:

"Now Alexander, when he had taken Gaza, made haste to go up to Jerusalem; and Jaddua the high-priest, when he heard that, was in agony, and under terror, as not knowing how he should meet the Macedonians, since the king was displeased at his foregoing disobedience. He therefore ordained that the people should make supplications, and should join with him in offering sacrifices to God, whom he besought to protect that nation, and to deliver them from the perils that were coming upon them; whereupon God warned him in a dream, which came upon him after he had offered sacrifice, that he should take courage, adorn the city, and open the gates; that the rest appear in white garments, but that he and the priests should meet the king in habits proper to their order, without the dread of any ill consequences, which the providence of God would prevent. Upon which, when he rose from his sleep, he greatly rejoiced; and declared to all the warning he had received from God. According to the dream he acted entirely, and so waited for the coming of the king."

"And when he understood that he was not far from the city, he went out in procession, with the priests and the multitude of the citizens. The procession was venerable, and the manner of it different from that of other nations. It reached to a place called Sapha; which name, translated in Greek, signifies a prospect, for you have thence a prospect both of Jerusalem and of the temple; and when the Phoenicians and the Chaldeans that followed him, thought they should have liberty to plunder the city, and torment the high-priest to death, which the king’s displeasure fairly promised them, the very reverse of it happened; for Alexander, when he saw the multitude at a distance, in white garments, while the priests stood clothed with fine linen, and the high-priest in purple and scarlet clothing, with his mitre on his head having the golden plate on which the name of God was engraved, he approached by himself, and adored that name, and first saluted the high-priest. The Jews also did all together, with one voice, salute Alexander, and encompass him about: whereupon the kings of Syria and the rest were surprised at what Alexander had done, and supposed him to be disordered in his mind.

However, Parmenio [Alexander’s second-in-command] alone went up to him, and asked him how it came to pass, that when all others adored him, he should adore the high-priest of the Jews?

To whom he replied, “I did not adore him, but that God who has honored him with that high-priesthood; for I saw this very person in a dream, in this very habit, when I was at Dios, in Macedonia, who, when I was considering with myself how I might obtain the dominion of Asia, exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly to pass over the sea thither, for that he would conduct my army, and would give me dominion over the Persians; whence it is, that having seen no other in that habit, and now seeing this person in it, and remembering my vision and the exhortation which I had in my dream, I believe that I bring this army under divine conduct, and shall therewith conquer Darius, and destroy the power of the Persians, and that all things will succeed according to what is in my own mind.”

And when he had said this to Parmenio, and had given the high-priest his right hand, the priests ran along by him, and he came into the city; and when he went up into the temple, he offered sacrifice to God, according to the high-priest’s direction, and magnificently treated both the high-priest and the priests. And when the book of Daniel was showed him, wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that himself was the person intended; and as he was then glad, he dismissed the multitude for the present, but the next day he called them to him, and bade them ask what favors they pleased of him: whereupon the high-priest desired that they might enjoy the laws of their forefathers, and might pay no tribute on the seventh year. He granted all they desired: and when they entreated him that he would permit the Jews in Babylon and Media to enjoy their own laws also, he willingly promised to do hereafter what they desired: and when he said to the multitude, that if any of them would enlist themselves in his army on this condition, that they should continue under the laws of their forefathers, and live according to them, he was willing to take them with him, many were ready to accompany him in his wars."

This is an amazing historical account that I have never heard before!  God apparently had initiated Alexander's conquest through a dream, and then confirmed the dream by having Alexander meet the priest he had seen in his dream.  The Priest then showed Alexander the prophesies of Daniel which foretold of His victory over Darius and the Persians, Alexander was obviously overjoyed and encouraged.

What was encouraging to me today was how God was intimately involved in ordering and even initiating this great conquest that we have all read about in history books!  Alexander was not a follower of God, that we know of, and yet, God moved in His life, gave him encouragement and direction that made him successful. 

Often we think that God in some way only favors and blesses His followers, and yet we see Him changing the history of pagan nations and the minds of Kings who do not know Him.  We are told by Jesus the following from Matthew 5:43-48 NIV:  “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Later James provides a similar perspective - James 2:1, 8-9,12-13 NIV:

[1] "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism."

[8] "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."

[12] "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [13] because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

We are called to pray for and love those who are not followers, every bit as much as those who are followers of Christ. We are called to love our neighbors, whether they are Christians or not!  The Lord is our example in this!  We are called to love and extend mercy regardless of our neighbors beliefs or religion.  Our overriding mode of operation should be love!

Finally, we can trust that God is working, even when we don't see it, or know of His interactions.  He is so much more capable than we give Him credit for, He has all authority and all power, He is not limited by our understanding or thoughts!  He is the shaper and maker of history whether we know it or not!

Amen and Amen!