The true shepherd (v 8-9)

The people of Israel wandered because they lacked leaders, but in the end times they will be led by the true shepherd. “I will whistle for them and gather them together, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they were before” (v 8). (1) “Whistle for” means “to whistle.” Shepherds in biblical times gathered their sheep by whistling or by blowing a reed flute (ref. Judges 5:16). (2) The Messiah will gather the redeemed people back to the Promised Land, and their number will become exceedingly great. “When I scatter them among the peoples, they will remember Me in distant countries, and they with their children will live and come back” (v 9). (1) The people of Israel became a scattered people because of God’s judgment. However, they will be restored to the Promised Land. (2) In the lands of their dispersion, they will experience spiritual salvation and will return together with their children.

From Egypt and Assyria (v10-12)

“I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon until no room can be found for them” (v 10). (1) Egypt and Assyria symbolize lands of suffering of slavery and captivity. From those lands of affliction, the people of Israel will be gathered together. (2) Gilead was located northeast of the Jordan River and was well suited for grazing livestock. In biblical times, the tribes of Manasseh and Gad settled there. Lebanon marks the northern boundary of the Promised Land. Israel never fully conquered this region in biblical times. However, in the Messianic Kingdom, the people of Israel will dwell there as well. (3) The message conveyed in verse 10 is that, in the Messianic Kingdom, even the surrounding regions of the Promised Land will be inhabited, leaving no empty place remaining. (4) The sea (the Red Sea) and the river (the Euphrates River), which hinder the return of the people of Israel, will be struck by the Lord, dried up, and rendered powerless. Verse 12 brings this passage to its conclusion: “‘And I will strengthen them in the Lord, and in His name they will walk,’ declares the Lord.” The people of Israel will live in the age of the Messianic Kingdom as a redeemed people. Let us remember that the condition for the fulfillment of the Messianic Kingdom is the Lord’s second coming, and the condition for His second coming is the salvation of the people of Israel. The history of the world is moving forward, and we are drawing nearer to the fulfillment of the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom).