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Zacharias refers to the Messiah as the could not keep silent.
“horn of salvation” (v69), symbolizing Second, listen to Zacharias praise God
strength and power to deliver His people for remembering His covenant with Abraham
(see Psa 148:14). The Horn would ac- (vv72-75): “To perform the mercy prom-
4
complish this deliverance in two ways. ised to our fathers, and to remember His
First, He would bring about redemption holy covenant; the oath which he sware to
(v68), releasing His people from terrible our father Abraham” (vv72-73). Zacharias
bondage. Second, the Horn would save quite naturally moves from the Davidic
Israel from their enemies and from the Covenant to the Abrahamic Covenant
hand of all who hate her (v71). Later, New because the promise to David rested upon
Testament Scriptures would describe this the original promise to Abraham. Because
bondage as spiritual, not just physical. he mentions “being delivered out of the
Christ would release His people from hand of our enemies” (v74), Zacharias
their bondage to sin by the shedding of may have been thinking of what the Lord
His own precious blood. Spiritual re- said to Abraham in Genesis 22:17: “And
lease would precede a physical one. The thy seed shall possess the gate of his en-
physical would be delayed because the emies.” Zacharias was likely envisioning
nation would reject Jesus as their Messiah the Messiah coming in glorious power,
(13:34-35; 19:41-44), something of which smashing the might of Rome and bring-
Zacharias was obviously unaware when ing relief to His oppressed people Israel.
he spoke these words. And his hope was an honorable one, for
But the deliverance Zacharias expected it was not only grounded in the promises
and for which he praised God definitely of God but was for a holy purpose: that
had an earthly component to it, as verses His people “might serve him without fear,
71 and 74 indicate. He might have been in holiness and righteousness before him,
thinking of verses such as Leviticus 26:6- all the days of our life” (vv74-75). But
7: “And I will give peace in the land, and that fulfillment would have to wait. We
ye shall lie down, and none shall make are awaiting it still. But make no mistake,
you afraid …. And ye shall chase your God will fulfill His promises to David and
enemies, and they shall fall before you by Abraham. Christ, the Son of David, will
the sword.” Or perhaps Micah 4:4 came to return, defeat His enemies, and deliver
mind: “But they shall sit every man under His people Israel after a time of terrifying
his vine and under his fig tree; and none tribulation. He will establish an everlast-
shall make them afraid: for the mouth ing earthly kingdom, and Israel will serve
of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.” Him without fear, in holiness and righ-
Zacharias did not know that this deliver- teousness before the Lord Jesus Christ. In
ance would come in two distinct phases, that day, a Benedictus will be sung by the
tied to the Messiah’s two comings. He whole nation: “Blessed be he that cometh
did not have the perspective of Calvary. in the name of the LORD” (Psa 118:26).
What he knew was that the long-awaited
Messiah, the promised Son of David, had The Prophetic Portion
come. And Zacharias’ overflowing heart
With verse 76 comes a shift in Zacha-
4 This imagery of power and strength would be rias’ song. He begins using future tense
later seen in the horned helmets of warriors. verbs. Not only is his topic different but
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