THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
These events occurred in a transformative manner under Zerubbabel, yet they were fulfilled in truth and substance through our Lord Christ. Zerubbabel was not a king, but merely a governor and leader of the people. And they shall not be divided among two tongues nor shall there be two kings over them. I will rescue them from all their transgressions that have led them to sin, and I will purify them; they will be My people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be the prince among them, and there will be one shepherd for all. This aligns with the declaration of our Lord Christ in the holy Gospel: ‘And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one flock and one shepherd’ (John 10:16).
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God refers to the Lord Christ as David, for He is a descendant of David according to human lineage but is a servant by earthly nature; in the essence of God, He took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6, 7). To illustrate the nature He assumed, He called Him a servant, indicating He was born of a servant's nature in the flesh. The only-begotten Lord of all is not a servant and is called David not in His divine essence, but as one who comes from David, while perceiving His servant’s nature. If the Word of God, the God Incarnate, took on this nature from a servant, He did not relinquish His true identity; rather, through His union with divine nature, He exalted our humanity. Thus, the prophetic word reveals that ungodliness and idolatry will cease, the division of kingdoms will come to an end, and all will operate under one sovereign, guided by a single shepherd, recognizing their God and Lord. They will follow My commandments, adhering to My laws, and they will inhabit the land I give to My servant Jacob; their ancestors will reside there, as will future generations, enduring from age to age, and My servant David will be their prince forever. Let the Jews question the identity of this eternal king named David. They will acknowledge that such titles do not pertain to Zerubbabel; first, because Zerubbabel did not rule as a king but was merely a governor, and secondly, this governance ceased with his passing. However, if they assert this eternal David belongs to the lineage of David, they must provide proof of David's ruling lineage. Yet if the lineage of David is now obscure apart from rulership, then one of two conclusions must be drawn: either the prophecy is false, or we must venerate the reign of our Lord Christ, who is David according to the flesh. The prophecy cannot be deemed false, as the Jews would concur. If it is indeed true, and we find no other kingdom among the Jews, while the lineage of David remains hidden, it is clear that the Son of God according to His divine nature, who came from David in the flesh, reigns as David and possesses eternal dominion. The small-mindedness and disbelief of the Jews, alongside our knowledge of God, are evident. This truth is reinforced by the subsequent words of God.