Palm branches, in that setting, carried a very specific meaning. They pointed to the presence of God among His people. They were tied to joy, yes, but not just any joy. They were tied to the joy of God drawing near. The hope of Sukkot looked forward as well as backward. It was not only about remembering the wilderness. It was about anticipating a day when God would once again dwell with His people in a full and lasting way.

On the tenth day of Nisan, the Israelite family enslaved in Egypt took a lamb from their flock. There were conditions: one-year old, male, without defect. For the next four days, this lamb was to be inspected, scrutinized, and tested to be sure it was without spot or blemish. If it passed the test, on the fourteenth day of the month, the lamb would be slaughtered.

Some people have wondered why the king mentioned in Zechariah 9:9-10 would ride a donkey into Jerusalem rather than a warhorse, a white stallion. This would seem like an odd choice for royalty, a king. After all, we expect to see kings mounted on strong white horses, chargers. That’s what kings ride, don’t they?