Zechariah 9:17

Zechariah 9:17 is a vibrant declaration of the glorious blessings and abundance that accompany the coming of the promised King, the Messiah. It paints a picture of profound joy and satisfaction, directly linked to God's character and the fruit of His redemptive work.

Context

This verse is situated within a prophetic section of Zechariah (chapters 9-14) that focuses on the future of Israel and the coming of the Messiah. Specifically, Zechariah 9 describes the triumph of God's people and the arrival of their King. The preceding verses, particularly Zechariah 9:9, speak of a humble, righteous, and victorious King who enters Jerusalem. Verse 17 then describes the magnificent outcome of His reign – a time of immense prosperity and widespread joy for His people, contrasting with earlier periods of hardship and judgment.

Key Themes

• Divine Goodness and Beauty: The opening phrase, "For how great [is] his goodness, and how great [is] his beauty!", is a profound exclamation of praise. While "his" can refer to God Himself, in context with the preceding verses, it likely refers to the Messiah whose arrival brings such blessings. This speaks to the inherent splendor and moral perfection of God's character, which is manifested through His saving acts and the reign of His Anointed One.
• Messianic Abundance and Joy: The mention of "corn" (grain) making young men cheerful and "new wine" making maids joyful symbolizes a period of abundant provision, prosperity, and spiritual refreshment. These are not merely material blessings but indicators of a deep, pervasive sense of well-being and happiness that permeates society under the Messiah's rule.
• Satisfaction and Flourishing: Grain and wine were staple elements of sustenance and celebration in ancient Israel, often representing covenant blessings and prosperity. Their abundance signifies complete satisfaction and flourishing for all generations, from the strong young men to the young women. This points to a time when God's people will thrive in every aspect of life.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "goodness" is ṭūḇ (טוּב), which encompasses not just moral goodness but also prosperity, welfare, and well-being. The word for "beauty" is yōfî (יֹפִי), referring to physical attractiveness or splendor, but here it speaks more to the glorious and excellent nature of the Messiah or God's reign. The imagery of "corn" (grain) and "new wine" (tîrôš) are classic biblical symbols of God's blessing and the fertility of the land, often linked to covenant faithfulness and the restoration of prosperity, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:13 and Joel 2:24.

Practical Application

Zechariah 9:17 offers a powerful message of hope and assurance for believers today. It reminds us that:

• God is the Source of True Joy: Our ultimate satisfaction and deepest joy come from the goodness and beauty of God, revealed supremely in Jesus Christ. He is the one who provides true sustenance and spiritual refreshment.
• Anticipation of Future Glory: While we experience God's blessings now, this verse also points to a future reality—the full establishment of God's kingdom where abundance, peace, and joy will be complete. It encourages us to look forward to the new heaven and new earth where sorrow and lack will be no more.
• Trust in Divine Provision: Even in times of scarcity or difficulty, we can trust in God's inherent goodness and His promise to provide for His people, both physically and spiritually. The "corn" and "new wine" are metaphors for the rich, satisfying life found in Him.