The author of The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien, coined the term “eucatastrophe” to describe a story in which what looks like evil will be victorious. In this situation things might seem bleak and hopeless. But at the last moment, evil is defeated and good triumphs, usually through an act of grace rather than by the efforts or strength of the heroes in the story.

Beginning in chapter 9, we enter a new section of Zechariah. It is more visionary and cryptic than chapters 1–8. But the overall message of the second half of the book is clear: God’s kingdom will come through His Messiah. But there will be suffering and conflict. Things will look bleak before they get better.

In Zechariah 9, God confronts Israel’s enemies. He denounces them for their pride and greed (vv. 3, 6). But even in their judgment, some of them will turn to the Lord and be incorporated into the people of God (v. 7). There is hope even for God’s enemies. God promises that He will keep watch over His people and the Temple (v. 8). This whole section likely refers to the conquest of Alexander the Great, who famously conquered Tyre, Sidon, and the Philistines but did not attack Jerusalem or its Temple. Alexander’s conquest provided a unified language and culture for the whole region, paving the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Alexander also serves as a contrast to another king we will read about tomorrow.

We are in a spiritual battle too. Our hope is in the Second Coming of Jesus, not in any temporary political solution. Even when things look bleak, God has promised that He will make all things new. We are called to be faithful, “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

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