ZECHARIAH
CHAPTER 10
Judah and Joseph shall be sown among the people in far countries—The Lord will hiss for them and gather them and redeem them.
1 ASK ye of the LORD rain
in the time [or rain in it due season to accomplish
the purpose of the season 1: in the spring to soak and break open the seed.
2; in the fall to fill the ear before the harvest - each was considered to
be the mercies of God] of the latter rain; so the
LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain,
to every one grass in the field.
2 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.
3 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.
4 Out of him [repeated
4 times in this verse; reference to Judah] came forth the corner,
[the corner-stone for security. In Is. 28:16 this is
a figure for the Davidic king. ] out of him the nail,
[The tent peg, or nail, was the hooked peg built into
a wall to hold the implements of war as well as the household utensils.
This is the attribute of reliability (cf. Is. 22:23).] out of him the
battle bow, [refers to effective power in leadership
(cf. Ho. 1:5).] out
of him every oppressor together. [Every ruler (lit.
‘oppressor’); usually the word is employed in a bad sense, but here it
is used positively. Their prince-leader will not oppress by unjust taxation
or impose crushing burdens too great for the poor to bear, but will exact
tribute from their vanquished enemies. Oesterly ascribed the above titles
to Simon, Judas, and Jonathan Maccabeus, but each one of the four is
undoubtedly Messianic. The ultimate reference is to the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, by whose aid His people will conquer every foe.” (Guthrie and Motyer,
New Bible Commentary, p. 796.)]
5 ¶ 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.
6 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;
[The people of Judah and Joseph will be gathered] 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.
7 And they of Ephraim shall
be like a mighty man, [the will
enjoy power and strength, confidence that they can do their job] and their heart shall rejoice
as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and
be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
8 I will hiss for them, and gather them;
[or call, for his people and gather them. What
is our responsibility:] for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as
they have increased.
9 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.
10 I will bring them again also out
of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; [I
will bring them out of all the countries where they have been dispersed] and
I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall
not be found for them. [ If all the Jews that
are now scattered over the face of the earth were gathered together,
they would make a mighty nation. ]