Context No. 3745 of 4322 · Zechariah

Zechariah 10:1-12: in context

1Ask 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. 2For 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. 3My 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 as his majestic horse in the battle. 4From him will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. 5They 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. 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. 7Ephraim 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. 8I will signal for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will increase as they were before. 9I will sow them among the peoples. They will remember me in far countries. They will live with their children and will return. 10I 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. 11He 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. 12I will strengthen them in the LORD. They will walk up and down in his name,” says the LORD.

Zechariah rebukes the people for seeking help from idols and diviners, empty comforts that leave them wandering like sheep without a shepherd. Ask rain of the LORD, he says, the true source of every good gift, not the household idols that speak only vanity.

And God promises to be the shepherd his people lacked: he will strengthen the house of Judah, save them, gather them from far countries, and bring them home, for I have mercy on them. Two things stand out. God alone gives what the false comforts cannot; the idols spoke vanity and left the people oppressed, but the LORD gives rain and strength and salvation. And the tender heart of God toward his scattered, shepherdless people: he will gather them, redeem them, and restore them, as though he had never cast them off. However far his people have wandered for want of true guidance, God remains their shepherd, ready to gather and restore them by his mercy.

Do I seek what I need from the LORD who actually gives it, rather than from empty comforts, and do I trust the shepherd who gathers and restores his scattered people by his mercy?

Sources

Zechariah 10:2: "They go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd."
Zechariah 10:6: "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph... for I have mercy on them."
Zechariah 10:1: "Ask of the LORD rain in the spring time, the LORD who makes storm clouds."