Zechariah 9:8

"And I will encamp about my house against the army, that none pass through or return; and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes."

"My house ..." This prophecy was necessitated by the fact of a great world revolution taking place under Alexander the Great. The Medo-Persian power would vanish; but this prophecy assured God's people that world changes would not destroy them:

"`My house' does not refer to the temple, but to Israel, his family. Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, and Persia had all oppressed them ... and now Alexander the Great; but Jehovah would encamp about his people and through them fulfil his purpose. No more would such nations pass through to thwart his purpose; it would be fulfilled in the Messiah."[22]

An immediate fulfillment of this promise occurred when "Alexander spared Jerusalem and gave the Jews special favors."[23]

These words should not be understood as applicable to the literal city of Jerusalem alone. That city would indeed be destroyed again in 70 A.D., following their rejection of the Messiah; but what was indicated here is that world powers would be effectively restrained through God's power from preventing the achievement of his purpose of redemption for mankind. Nevertheless, the fulfillment in at least a token sense by Alexander's sparing of Jerusalem was significant.

Jerusalem had received an invitation from Alexander during the siege of Tyre requesting their surrender, but refused, which should have resulted (in the light of all indications in Alexander's usual behavior following such refusals) in Jerusalem's total destruction. It did not happen. Instead, the most remarkable events occurred. Josephus' record of them is thus summarized by Deane: (Re: Alexander the Great).

"He was on the way to chastise them following the fall of Gaza, and the beautiful city was already in full view before him as he drew near; but the High Priest Jaddua awaited him at the watch station of Sapha, clad in his robes of gold and purple, and followed by a train of citizens in pure white.

"The conqueror bowed himself in reverence to the Holy Name upon the High Priest's frontlet; and, being asked by Parmenio the reason of his conduct, said that in a dream at Dium, he had seen the God of Jaddua, who encouraged him to pass over into Asia, and promised him success.

"Then, entering Jerusalem, he offered sacrifice in the temple, heard the prophecy of Daniel about himself, and granted certain privileges to Jews throughout his empire. The privileges said to have been conferred were enjoyed under his successors. Alexander had a vast influence in bringing the Jews into closer relationship with the rest of Asia, and so preparing them to fulfil their ultimate destiny as Christians."[24]