8 In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. 9 It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
12:8
In that day
This phrase is repeated from verses 4 and 6. “That day” puts an emphasis on the Day of the Lord, a time of tribulation and victory for the nation Israel—that is, the seven years of Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ.
the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
God will especially defend Jerusalem. Strength will primarily lie in Jehovah and not Israel.
the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God,
God will enable the weak in Israel to become strong like David, the victorious conqueror of Israel. The “house of David” here means the political leaders of Israel. David’s leadership was the ultimate illustration of the strength of the nation Israel. (2 Sa 17:8; 18:3). The reference to David projects the great Son of David, the Messiah.
“Like God” means as God manifested His power to men.
like the Angel of the Lord before them.
An angel of the LORD went before both David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This future event was like the angelic protection and provision of Israel as she fled Egypt. The “Angel of the LORD” is a theophany, a physical manifestation of God to men.
12:9
It shall be in that day
“That day,” an eschatological day of tribulation, is repeated for emphasis.
that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
In a future “day,” God will destroy all the nations of the world that come against Jerusalem.
PRINCIPLE:
God protects His people like a shield.
APPLICATION:
God enables His people during times of duress. This protection will be especially true during the Tribulation. God always accomplishes what He “seeks.”
