Zechariah chapter 10
The Messiah will destroy false shepherds. The Messiah will regather all Israel.
THE MESSIAH WILL DESTROY FALSE SHEPHERDS
VERSE 1. Ask of the LORD rain in the spring time, The LORD who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.
VERSE 2. For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
the teraphim. These were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property.
they have told false dreams. False prophets claimed to have mystical dreams. But they were lying.
In ancient times, the LORD God sometimes made his guidance known to people in their dreams. Even today, this is still possible for the all-powerful LORD God. Read more »
there is no shepherd. The people of the LORD God are prone to going astray. In those times, they need a godly shepherd to bring them back. Read more »
VERSE 3. My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats, for the LORD of Hosts has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
My anger is kindled against the shepherds. In the Old Testament, this is a common theme.
People in positions of spiritual leadership mislead their people. They abuse their office. They abuse their authority.
Such behavior is not limited to the Old Testament era. It is common in the New Testament era.
In our day, people in positions of spiritual leadership still mislead their people. They still abuse their office. They still abuse their authority.
VERSE 4. From him will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
the cornerstone. In the desert, a rock gave God’s people life-saving water. Later, the rock was a symbol for the LORD God. In the New Testament, the rock is the Lord Jesus. Read more »
VERSE 5. They will be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle. They will fight, because the LORD is with them. The riders on horses will be confounded.
MSG translation. They’ll be a workforce to be proud of, working as one, their heads held high, striding through swamps and mud, Courageous and vigorous because GOD is with them, undeterred by the world’s thugs.
a workforce to be proud of. The people of the LORD God will be like warriors in battle.
undeterred by the world’s thugs. In the face of their detractors, the people of the LORD God will have great courage.
THE MESSIAH WILL REGATHER ALL ISRAEL
VERSE 6. “I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, for I have mercy on them. They will be as though I had not cast them off, for I am the LORD their God, and I will hear them.
NIV translation. I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
because I have compassion on them. The LORD God wishes to restore his people. This is an outpouring of his compassion.
The people of the LORD God are prone to going astray. In those times, they need a godly shepherd to bring them back. Read more »
VERSE 7. Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will rejoice as through wine. Yes, their children will see it and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in the LORD.
VERSE 8. I will signal for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will increase as they were before.
VERSE 9. I will sow them among the peoples. They will remember me in far countries. They will live with their children and will return.
VERSE 10. I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and there won’t be room enough for them.
VERSE 11. He will pass through the sea of affliction, and will strike the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
VERSE 12. I will strengthen them in the LORD. They will walk up and down in his name,” says the LORD.
NAB translation. I will strengthen them in the LORD, and they shall walk in his name.
I will strengthen them. The LORD God will strengthen his people. Isn’t this great?
ZECHARIAH
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.