Zechariah 10: The Lord's Promise of Restoration and Judgment
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them.
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.
And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord.
Zechariah 10 offers a powerful message of hope and judgment, revealing God's commitment to His people and His intolerance of those who lead them astray. This chapter speaks both to the immediate context of Zechariah's time and to the future restoration of Israel under the Messiah. It's a reminder that God is both a loving shepherd and a righteous judge.
Judgment on False Shepherds and Empty Idols (Zechariah 10:1-2)
Zechariah 10:1 begins by urging the people to "Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain." This seemingly simple request highlights a deeper spiritual need. The people had turned to idols and diviners, seeking guidance and provision from sources other than God. These "teraphim," or household gods, offered only empty promises and false comfort. Zechariah exposes the futility of relying on such sources.
Zechariah 10:2 further indicts the leadership of the time, stating that "For the teraphim speak delusion, and the diviners see lying visions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort." The leaders, who should have been guiding the people towards God, were instead leading them astray with lies and deception. Consequently, the people "wander like sheep; they are afflicted because there is no shepherd." This paints a stark picture of spiritual neglect and the devastating consequences of ungodly leadership. The absence of a true shepherd, one who faithfully follows God and cares for His people, leaves them vulnerable and lost.
God's Anger and Promise of Restoration (Zechariah 10:3-7)
The Lord's response to this situation is one of righteous anger: "My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the goats." (Zechariah 10:3). God holds leaders accountable for their actions and their impact on those entrusted to their care. However, this judgment is coupled with a powerful promise of restoration. God declares that He will strengthen Judah and deliver them.
Zechariah 10:4-5 describes how God will empower his people, making them like a "splendid horse in battle," enabling them to overcome their enemies. He will give them strength and courage, so they can fight valiantly.
Zechariah 10:6 emphasizes God's unwavering compassion: "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the Lord their God and I will answer them." God's love for His people is so great that He will act as if He had never rejected them. This is a profound statement of grace and forgiveness.
Zechariah 10:7 continues to paint a vivid picture of restoration. God's people will be filled with joy, and their children will rejoice in the Lord. This promise looks forward to a time of renewed covenant relationship and restored blessings.
Gathering and Strengthening Israel (Zechariah 10:8-12)
Looking towards the future, Zechariah 10:8-9 speaks of God gathering Israel from distant lands. "I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as of old. Though I sow them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return." This imagery suggests a future regathering of the scattered people of Israel, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic literature.
Zechariah 10:10-11 highlights God's power to overcome any opposition to His plans. He will bring them back from the land of Egypt and Assyria, and they will pass through the sea of distress. Any who oppose them will be brought to an end.
Finally, Zechariah 10:12 emphasizes that Israel's strength will ultimately come from God: "I will make them strong in the Lord, and they shall walk in his name, declares the Lord." This verse underscores the importance of relying on God's power and guidance. The restored people of God will walk in His ways, living in obedience and faithfulness. The Messiah will reunite and restore his people under his kingdom rule, and they will walk in his ways.
Zechariah 10 offers a message of hope and warning. It reminds us of the importance of faithful leadership, the futility of idolatry, and the unwavering love and compassion of God. It points to a future restoration where God's people will be gathered, strengthened, and will walk in His ways, serving Him with joy and faithfulness. This chapter is a testament to God's enduring promises and His commitment to His people.
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them.
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.
And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord.
Zechariah 10 offers a powerful message of hope and judgment, revealing God's commitment to His people and His intolerance of those who lead them astray. This chapter speaks both to the immediate context of Zechariah's time and to the future restoration of Israel under the Messiah. It's a reminder that God is both a loving shepherd and a righteous judge.
Judgment on False Shepherds and Empty Idols (Zechariah 10:1-2)
Zechariah 10:1 begins by urging the people to "Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain." This seemingly simple request highlights a deeper spiritual need. The people had turned to idols and diviners, seeking guidance and provision from sources other than God. These "teraphim," or household gods, offered only empty promises and false comfort. Zechariah exposes the futility of relying on such sources.
Zechariah 10:2 further indicts the leadership of the time, stating that "For the teraphim speak delusion, and the diviners see lying visions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort." The leaders, who should have been guiding the people towards God, were instead leading them astray with lies and deception. Consequently, the people "wander like sheep; they are afflicted because there is no shepherd." This paints a stark picture of spiritual neglect and the devastating consequences of ungodly leadership. The absence of a true shepherd, one who faithfully follows God and cares for His people, leaves them vulnerable and lost.
God's Anger and Promise of Restoration (Zechariah 10:3-7)
The Lord's response to this situation is one of righteous anger: "My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the goats." (Zechariah 10:3). God holds leaders accountable for their actions and their impact on those entrusted to their care. However, this judgment is coupled with a powerful promise of restoration. God declares that He will strengthen Judah and deliver them.
Zechariah 10:4-5 describes how God will empower his people, making them like a "splendid horse in battle," enabling them to overcome their enemies. He will give them strength and courage, so they can fight valiantly.
Zechariah 10:6 emphasizes God's unwavering compassion: "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the Lord their God and I will answer them." God's love for His people is so great that He will act as if He had never rejected them. This is a profound statement of grace and forgiveness.
Zechariah 10:7 continues to paint a vivid picture of restoration. God's people will be filled with joy, and their children will rejoice in the Lord. This promise looks forward to a time of renewed covenant relationship and restored blessings.
Gathering and Strengthening Israel (Zechariah 10:8-12)
Looking towards the future, Zechariah 10:8-9 speaks of God gathering Israel from distant lands. "I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as of old. Though I sow them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return." This imagery suggests a future regathering of the scattered people of Israel, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic literature.
Zechariah 10:10-11 highlights God's power to overcome any opposition to His plans. He will bring them back from the land of Egypt and Assyria, and they will pass through the sea of distress. Any who oppose them will be brought to an end.
Finally, Zechariah 10:12 emphasizes that Israel's strength will ultimately come from God: "I will make them strong in the Lord, and they shall walk in his name, declares the Lord." This verse underscores the importance of relying on God's power and guidance. The restored people of God will walk in His ways, living in obedience and faithfulness. The Messiah will reunite and restore his people under his kingdom rule, and they will walk in his ways.
Zechariah 10 offers a message of hope and warning. It reminds us of the importance of faithful leadership, the futility of idolatry, and the unwavering love and compassion of God. It points to a future restoration where God's people will be gathered, strengthened, and will walk in His ways, serving Him with joy and faithfulness. This chapter is a testament to God's enduring promises and His commitment to His people.