F J 1. Flock. The Promise made.
K 2. False Shepherds. Incrimination.
K 3-. False Shepherds. Punishment.
J -3-12. The Flock. The Promise fulfilled.
407-403 B.C.
Zechariah 10)
1 Ask you of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain (ref. Deut. 11:14 = copious rains); of the LORD Who makes bright clouds (lightning), and gives them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. (Food for all. See Amos 8:11. Biblical illiteracy will be rampant. Ask for knowledge and wisdom.)
2 For the idols (Heb. teraphim, or household gods. These cannot give rain [Jer. 14:22]) have spoken trash, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as he-goats (i.e. bellwethers. Cp. Isa. 14:9. Jer. 51:4), they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. (The lambs were defenseless, no taught the truth. Why listen to men? You always have a Shepherd in Christ. Believe on Him.)
3 My anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: (Political and religious leaders)
J L -3,4. Visitation. House of Judah.
M 5. Victory. "
N 6-. Yahaveh's Strengthening. "
L -6-10. Restoration. House of Joseph.
M 11. Victory. "
N 12. Yahaveh's Strengthening. "
for the LORD of hosts has visited His flock the house of Judah, and has made them as His majestic war-horse (Pegasus - speed - power - action) in the battle. (See v.5. No "flyaway". See Ezek 13.)
4 Out of him (i.e. Judah. Cp. Jer. 30:21) went forth the corner-stone (Messiah. Matt. 21:42), out of him the tent-peg (cp. Isa. 22:23), out of him the battle bow (the sword of God's true Word, cuts both ways), out of him every ruler together.
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 (Gospel Armor on), 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 (10 northern tribes [if they are doing His work), 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 answer them.
7 And they shall be like a mighty one (or warrior) of Ephraim, and their heart shall rejoice as wine [makes the heart to rejoice]: yes, their sons shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. (Because we are winning souls.)
8 I will hiss (signal or call. Fig. of speech borrowed from beekeepers [Isa. 5:26; 7:18) for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they did increased [before]. (As in days of old.)
9 And I will sow them among the peoples (cp. Hos. Hos. 2:23): and they shall remember Me in far countries (ref. Deut. 30:1); and they shall live and return with their sons (eternally. See Ezek. 37), and return again.
10 I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria (ref. Deut. 30:3,5); and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them. (So many return that the city of Jerusalem can not hold them all.)
11 Through he (Ephraim) shall pass through the sea of affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river (i.e. the Nile) shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt shall depart away. (There will be only one King - Christ.)
12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk habitually in His name (ref. Gen. 5:25; 6:9; 17:1. Cp. Mic. 4:5; 6:8), says the LORD. (We will take charge with Him.)