Zechariah 10:1-7
1 Ask for rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain—
The Lord who makes the storm winds;
And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each person.
2 For the household idols speak deception,
And the diviners see an illusion
And tell deceitful dreams;
They comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep,
They are wretched because there is no shepherd.
3 “My anger is kindled against the shepherds,
And I will punish the male goats;
For the Lord of armies has visited His flock, the house of Judah,
And will make them like His majestic horse in battle.
4 “From them will come the cornerstone,
From them the tent peg,
From them the bow of battle,
From them every tyrant, all of them together.
5 “And they will be like warriors,
Trampling down the enemy in the mud of the streets in battle;
And they will fight, because the Lord will be with them;
And the riders on horses will be put to shame.
6 “And I will strengthen the house of Judah,
And I will save the house of Joseph,
And I will bring them back,
Because I have had compassion on them;
And they will be as though I had not rejected them,
For I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
7 “Ephraim will be like a warrior,
And their heart will be joyful as if from wine;
Indeed, their children will see it and be joyful,
Their heart will rejoice in the Lord.
The Salvation of Israel (2)
Anger towards the leaders (v 2-3a)
This is our second study of this passage. It says, “For the household idols speak deception, and the diviners see an illusion and tell deceitful dreams; they comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep, they are wretched because there is no shepherd” (v 2). (1) The household idols (the teraphim) were regarded as guardian gods of the home. Here, idolatry is being condemned. (2) Diviners and dreamers (false prophets) are also rebuked. (3) Because there are no spiritual leaders, the people wander like sheep without a shepherd. “My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats” (v 3a). (1) When the people of Israel violate the covenant stipulations, the anger of God burns against them (ref. Ex. 22:22-24; Deut. 6:14-15; etc.). (2) In this passage, God’s anger burns against the leaders (the shepherds). “Male goats” is a figurative expression referring to the leaders.
Encouragement by God (v 3b-7)
It is the Lord of armies who strengthens the wandering people of Israel and leads them to victory. “For the Lord of armies has visited His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like His majestic horse in battle” (v 3b). Four wonderful things will come forth from the tribe of Judah (v 4). (1) “The cornerstone.” This is the first stone laid in the construction of a building, and it symbolizes the Messiah (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16; Eph. 2:20). (2) “The tent peg.” This is used when pitching a tent. By it, the tent is kept secure and stable. In the same way, a leader who will stabilize the nation will arise from the tribe of Judah. (3) “The bow of battle.” The tribe of Judah will become a weapon for the Lord’s battles. (4) “The tyrant.” This refers to the leaders. Verses 5-7 describe the people of Israel triumphing through God’s power. They will be victorious because “the Lord is with them” (v 5). The Lord will bring them back to the Promised Land, and the reason is, “for I have had compassion on them.” Verse 7 describes the rejoicing of the people: “Ephraim will be like a warrior, and their heart will be joyful as if from wine; indeed, their children will see it and be joyful, their heart will rejoice in the Lord.” We too will be filled with the same kind of joy on the day our salvation is completed. Therefore, even in the midst of trials, we are able to continue pressing forward with hope.
Today's prayer
O God of Israel, You are the One who is able to save Your people completely. Trusting in You, I will go out into the world again today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.