“For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.”
As we now come to the end of this chapter, we also come to the end of this prophetic utterance for this particular time. Though at that time, the prophet looked upon a nation and people who were down-trodden and seemingly forgotten, the prophetic word of God had been uttered: there would be a restoration of what was lost. There was coming salvation and victory.
Now looking back at all that God had spoken was coming, what else could one do but exclaim in praise and worship, “How great is His goodness and beauty (coming from a word that means ‘bright’)!”
Sure things right then and there did not look all that great, but when God speaks, there is power, and the word spoken was one of restoration and victory. Zechariah would not live to see it, but the future generations would see it, as Christ came into Jerusalem on a donkey, as He shed the blood of the new covenant on the cross, as He ascended into Heaven above the chosen disciples, and as the Holy Spirit filled each of them to overflowing bringing war and victory on a level that God’s people had never before seen.
In anticipation of that day, Zechariah writes, “Corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.”
What’s the significance of the corn and wine? Corn and wine frequently show up together as that which is harvested, and more so, as a sign of bounty. (Deu 33:28, Gen 27:28)
The word used for ‘corn’ is a misnomer in our time, as we think corn as corn on a cob. It’s better read as grain in what appears to be a general sense. It’s not a specific reference to any plant, but as a whole. Not just one type of grain, but all the grains! From hence forth we will refer to ‘corn’ as grain for it is more accurate.
In the use of the word grain, we understand that there is an abundance. Not just one type of grain, but many. Just as it’s not water that the maids (properly translated as ‘virgins’ and will be henceforth used) have but wine. Because water is a basic survival need. Wine is abundance and luxury. You don’t need all the grains, just one, but because there is abundance, you have more than just wheat, just rye, just barley.
The reference, therefore, to wheat and wine is referring to abundance. They’re not just getting by, but they have surplus. They are eating and drinking the best of the best.
There is one more thing that is also being said in this verse that the KJV does a poor job of conveying.
The word used for ‘cheerful’ in verse 17 is actually better translated ‘to bear fruit/flourish’. When we put it all together, the prophet is declaring, the bountiful provision that comes from God’s goodness and beauty will cause the young men and virgins (a better translation than maid) to bring forth fruit. In other words, the church, the sons of Zion, would not be a one-hit wonder, but there would be descendants!
This verse would perhaps be better understood in our time if translated thus:
For how great His goodness and beauty! Grain and wine will make the young men and virgins increase!
And here we come to a close.
I will at a later date write a bit more on Zechariah 9 in regards to some changes to my understanding of the text. I hope it has been a blessing to you as a reader as it was for me to study and write about it.
Notes:
One could read the wine and grain as a reference to Christ when He breaks the bread and offers the wine as a sign of His sacrifice. So too could one see the coming flourishing as a result of His sacrifice
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