This week, we shall continue the study
of the book of Zechariah in the Old Testament.
6:1-8—The 8th Vision—The Four Chariots (This is last of the night visions by Zechariah.)
(1) The 1st vision is about horses that are being sent out by the Lord to survey the earth (1:7ff) while the last vision is about chariots. What might be the difference in connotation between chariots and horses?
(2) These chariots are being sent out between two mountains of bronze (v. 1): Why are the two mountains described as bronze (or copper) mountains? (see Note 1 below)
(3) The colors of the horses of the four chariots: While we certainly cannot find direct references to the horses in Revelation 6:1-7, we can, however, get a sense of the use of colors in the Apocalypse. In (a-d) describe the commission of these horses.
a. The white horse (Rev. 6:1-2)
b. The red horse (Rev. 6:3-4)
c. The black horse (Rev. 6:5-6)
d. The pale horse (Rev. 6:7-8; the last chariot in Zechariah’s vision has dappled horses)
e. Given the use of color in Revelation 6, what might the four chariots with “powerful horses” in Zechariah’s vision be sent to do throughout the whole world? (v. 7)
f. At the time of the vison, the angel specifically mentions what the black horses have accomplished (v. 8).
i. What does having “given My Spirit rest” mean?
ii. What is its relevance to the immediate audience of Zechariah? (see Note 2)
6:9-15—A Crown for Joshua, the High Priest
(4) It appears that the three men have recently returned from Babylon (v. 9). What have they carried with them and what is it for?
(5) The word for "crown" is different from the word "turban" in 3:5. Such a crown is usually meant for a king. What two roles are now said of Joshua, the High priest?
(6) We have to remember that the Lord has earlier made it plain that Joshua and his associates are merely “men symbolic of things to come” (3:8).
a. Whom does he now symbolize with his two roles? (v. 12)
b. What do you know about this “Branch” from other passages in the OT? (see Jer. 23:5; 33:14-16; Isa. 11:1-5, 10)
c. What does this passage add to our knowledge about this “Branch”? (vv. 12-13)
d. How does our Lord Jesus Christ fulfill this prophecy of the Branch in Zechariah?
(7) After having crowned Joshua, where will that crown be laid and why? (v. 14)
(8) What would this crowning of Joshua mean to the people and Joshua?
(9) How has the promise in 6:15 come to be fulfilled in our time?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note 1:
While most commentators opine that the two mountains are likely the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion, there is no proof at all for this speculation. However, to describe them as mountains of bronze does convey a sense of their firmness and immovability apart from other spiritual implications it might have.
Note 2:
It is interesting to note that only the lands in the north, west and south are mentioned in the vision, and the angel only mentions the judgment of the land in the north which is implied by the rest given to the Lord’s Spirit. Since the commission is for the chariots to go “throughout the earth” (v. 7), it seems that the immediate concern of those who have returned from captivity and are seeking to rebuild the temple is that God will contain and deal with their enemies who are mainly from the south (Egypt), west (the Philistines) and the north (the Persians). The report that God’s Spirit has found rest in the north reminds the remnant that God has put an end to the Babylonian Empire, although these prophetic words likely also point to events in the End-time.
“Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and He will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD'.” (Zech. 6:12)
While the visions in Zechariah are full of Messianic implications, we need to first focus on their meanings to the immediate audience of Zechariah who are gathering up their courage to resume the rebuilding of the temple under tremendous pressure from their hostile neighbors who would not hesitate to use force and violence to stop their work (Ezr. 4:23). Therefore the Lord has compassion on them, and apart from using Haggai to rebuke them, He shows Zechariah 8 visions in one night to “overwhelm” the people with His promises:
- The 1st vision of the horses in the myrtle trees shows them that the Lord is “very jealous for Jerusalem” and will avenge the sins of their oppressors and restore Jerusalem.
- The second vision of the horns and the craftsmen seek to guarantee that His words of revenge on the nations are not empty words but will come to pass in the proper time.
- The third vision deeply touches the hearts of the people in that the Lord declares that they are the “apple of His eye” and that He will bless Jerusalem with His own presence and glory.
- The fourth vision about Joshua the High Priest offers unconditional forgiveness not just to Joshua but the people he represents, giving them the peace to proceed with the work for the Lord.
- The fifth vision of the golden lampstand is directed toward Zerubbabel, the governor who, too, needs much encouragement in that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by God’s Spirit” that his rebuilding work would be brought to completion.
- The sixth vision of the flying scroll, urges them to guard against the two sins that the Lord abhors, namely, stealing and swearing falsely in His name.
- The seventh vision of the woman in the basket once again, signifies that God will not deal with their sins as they deserve immediately.
- The last one signifies that the Lord will indeed judge the entire earth. The certainty of judgement is symbolized by the two mountains of bronze and the severity is symbolized by the colors of the horses of the chariots. The Lord gives evidence of His judgment by reminding them of what has already happened in the north to Babylon, whose judgment has given God rest — this message also reminds me that if I truly wish to find rest in the Lord, I need to have victory over my enemy who is none other than myself.
The 8 visions end with the command to crown Joshua with a crown and to name him (with the symbol of) the “Branch”. One can imagine the encouragement brought to the people as Zechariah lays this crown on Joshua as he also delivers these visions to the people. As we know, the people would go on to complete the temple as instructed through Haggai and Zechariah, and I believe these eight visons have played a huge part in this process.
I wonder which of the eight visions has been a great encouragement to you as well!
(1) The Date of the event:
a. When does this current event happen? (v. 1)
b. When did they re-lay the foundation of the temple? (Hag. 2:10, 18)
c. When will they eventually complete the rebuilding of the temple? (Ezr. 6:15)
(2) Presumably their fasting on the 5th and 7th months have to do with the destruction of their nation (as the Lord points out that they have been observing these in the past 70 years, i.e. during the time of their exile):
a. Why would they choose to fast on the 5th month? (see 2 Ki. 25: 8)
b. What about the 7th month? (see 2 Ki. 25:25-26)
(3) Designating these months for fasting (vv. 2-3):
a. What was the original purpose?
b. The people of Bethel now want to inquire if it is necessary to continue to do so.
i. Do they think that they may not need to be observed anymore?
ii. If so, what changed to make them think so?
(4) God’s immediate reply (vv. 4-7)
a. If they have not been fasting “for God”, what have they been fasting for?
b. How does their attitude in observing the holy feasts reveal their true attitude in fasting? Why? (v. 6)
c. What words were proclaimed to them before the fall of Jerusalem? (They have failed to hear these words and have continued failing to do so as shown by their attitude in feasting and fasting.) (v. 7; see 2 Ki. 17:13ff)
(5) Their past sins reiterated (vv. 8-14)
a. While observing holy feasts and fasting are obviously acts of external religion, what does the Lord require of them? (vv. 9-10)
b. What is the common denominator of these requirements and how do they relate to the Greatest Commandment? (see Matt. 22:37-40; Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18)
c. How did the former generations treat the proclamation of the prophets? Why? (vv. 11-12)
d. What judgment had they faced as a result? (v. 14)
e. What is the implication of v. 13 to these people who inquire of the Lord now?
(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.” (Zech. 7:9-10)
I find the inquiry by the people of Bethel very interesting. It was at the time when they resumed the rebuilding work of the temple, and also after Zechariah has delivered his messages about the eight visions.
It is obvious that the fasting of the 5th month (and also that of the 7th month) had been established after the fall of Jerusalem—it was a self-initiated effort to commemorate the fall of Jerusalem (2 Ki. 25:8) and likely also their final fleeing to Egypt (2 Ki. 25:25). The purpose seems rather obvious—the mourning of the fall of their nation. However, as the fall of Jerusalem and the temple was a result of their sins (which was clearly made plain by the numerous warnings by the prophets) these times of fasting should not be simply times of mourning, but times for repentance and for the seeking of God’s face. The Lord points out that such was never the case. Since they observed holy feasts only for their own pleasure, it was evident that they fasted also for their own sake. Their complete disregard of their fellow neighbors also proves that their religion was false.
This is quite a sober reminder to us all in these ways:
- It is not during the time of worship, prayer or even solitude that shows if we truly love and live for the Lord; it is during the time when we work, live within the family, and take our leisure that shows our true colors.
- We cannot truly love the Lord if we do not love our neighbors (Matt. 22:37-40), especially those who are helpless and most vulnerable. This is why the Apostle James defines true religion by saying, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (Jas. 1:27)
The Promise of Restoration
(1) The Lord reiterates that He is “very jealous for Zion” (see 1:14)
a. What do you understand by God being jealous for Zion (and Jerusalem)?
b. Why does the Lord reiterate it again? (v. 2)
(2) What will He do because of this jealousy? (vv.2-3a)
(3) Jerusalem
a. What is it like at the time of this message?
b. What will it be called when the Lord dwells in it?
c. What does it mean?
(4) Mount Zion
a. What is it like at the time of the message? (presumably the temple has yet to be completed)
b. What will it be called when the Lord returns to it?
c. What does it mean?
(5) The Faithful City (vv. 4-5)
a. What does the filling of the streets with the aged men and women signify? (v. 4; see Isa. 65:20)
b. What kind of a scene is depicted by the girls and boys playing on the streets? (v. 5)
c. What does this message mean to the immediate audience of Zechariah?
d. What about the Jews of today?
(6) A true miracle (vv. 6-8)—Consider these questions if this promise is meant for the “Millennium”:
a. Why will the remnant (i.e. those who survive the Great Tribulation) at that time find it marvelous?
b. Why does the Lord imply that it is after all not a surprise to Him? (v. 6b)
c. What will God do to make this happen? (v. 7a)
d. God promises that He will be faithful and righteous to them (v. 8)
i. Who has not been faithful and righteous: God or Israel?
ii. What does God mean that this promise will have the following characteristics?
1. Faithfulness (see Isa. 16:5; 42:3; 1 Jn. 1:9; Rev. 19:11)
2. Righteousness (see Jer. 23:6; Rom. 3:25; 1 Cor. 1:30)
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her’.” (Zech. 8:2)
It is true that the visions and oracles of Zechariah are not all words of encouragement, for they do contain words of rebuke. However, not only are the rebukes rather short in comparison, they are quickly followed by words of hope, as if the Lord does not wish to plunge them into depression. Such is the case with chapter 8.
Because of the less than sincere question of the people of Bethel in inquiring about whether they should continue to fast in the 5th month to commemorate the fall of Jerusalem, the Lord does remind them both of their phoniness of fasting and their sins of hard-heartedness like their ancestors (7:4-6, 13). However, such a rebuke is quickly followed by marvelous words of hope in chapter 8 in which the Lord reiterates what He has already said in 1:14: Here, He reiterates it with a double emphasis saying, “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her” (8:2).
The use of the word “jealous” fully reveals how anxious the Lord is in forgiving His people and in bringing about full restoration to them as His people and He as their God. In other words, the Lord couldn’t really wait any longer for all these to happen!
At times, like the people in Peter’s time, we feel that the Lord has been tarrying and we wonder, “Where is this coming He promised?” (2 Pet. 3:4). Apart from Peter’s explanation that “with the Lord a day is like a thousand years” (2 Pet. 3:8), we need to understand not only that the Lord is really jealous for Zion and is burning with jealousy for her, but He is also burning with jealousy for the lost souls “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). With such jealousy, can His return be too far?
8:9-19—A Direct Message to Zechariah’s People
(1) “Let your hands be strong” acts as an inclusio of this message, beginning with v. 9 and ends with v. 13:
a. To whom is this message now addressed? (v. 9)
b. In your opinion, what might cause their hands not to be strong?
c. What it was like before (v. 10):
i. What must it have been like for people to work and not be able collect wages, and for animals to be hired out yet without pay? (v. 10a)
ii. What was the reason for this? (v. 10b)
iii. What kind of a society was it?
d. What it will be like in the future (vv. 11-13):
i. How will such blessings bring about a different society? (v. 12)
ii. How will they be a blessing to other nations? (see vv. 20-22 below and Gen. 22:18)
e. How might this message be an encouragement to them to be strong “so that the temple may be built”? (v. 9)
(2) Additional words of caution (vv. 14-17)—As much as the Lord has promised good instead of harm, He had further words for them:
a. What are the things the Lord require of them? (v. 16)
b. How similar are these words to the requirement in 7:9-10?
c. Why are they being reiterated?
(3) Turning fasts to feasts (vv. 18-23)
a. Fasts are meant for mourning (and for repenting). Why would they become a time of joy? (see the Note below)
b. What will truly turn these fasts into joyful and glad occasions? (v. 19b)
c. To love truth is understandable, but why is the love of peace being paired with it?
d. How has the blessing in vv. 20-22 been fulfilled today and how will it be fulfilled in the future in Christ Jesus? (see Rev. 7:9)
e. Do people have to go all the way to the physical Jerusalem to find God? Why or why not? (see Rom. 10:8-13)
f. How are people attracted to believers? (v. 23)
g. What lesson can we learn from this?
(4) What is the message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
We have considered the fasts in the 5th and 7th months in chapter 7; the “fast of the 4th month lamented the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Ki. 25:3-4; Jer. 39:2), while that of the 10th month mourned the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem (2 Ki. 25:1; Jer. 39:1; Ezek. 24: 12).” (Archaeological Study Bible, 1535)
“In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you'.” (Zech. 8:23)
The prophecy in Zechariah 8 is certainly very exciting in that it foretells that one day people around the world will, instead of rejecting God and sneering at those who believe in God, seek them out in order to worship the Lord as their own God because they have heard that God is with them (8:23). Although this prophecy specifically refers to the Jews as those who will become such a blessing to the nations, this prophecy has already become a reality to all those, whether Jew or Gentile, who have believed in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
I have had a small taste of what this verse is talking about in my secular career. I am sure you also have similar stories to tell. Allow me to share with you two such incidents.
I was working in a company in Canada, and one day a department head asked to talk to me in my office. As it turned out, she was going through a divorce and she needed someone to talk to. As she shared her struggles with me, it was more than obvious that she had come to me because she knew I was a Christian, and from the lives exhibited by me and other Christians in the company, she knew not only that I would care enough to listen, but I would also pray for her.
The other incident happened when I had already left my former company where we had held an Evangelistic Bible Study in my office. One of the managers was a very quiet and gentle person. While he never came to our Bible study, he must have been impressed by the testimonies of Christians within the factory. So, when he contracted a terminal illness, he asked his wife to seek me out because he wanted me to help him become a Christian before his death. Fortunately she was able to track me down and brought me to the hospital and I had the joy of leading him to Christ before he died.
The oracle about the restoration of Israel is now followed by the judgment of some of the neighboring nations. It appears to have both present and future aspects:
(1) Against Syria (vv. 1-2a)—Hadrach, Damascus and Hamath refer to the kingdom of Aram or the present-day region of Syria.
a. While no specific judgment is pronounced, it is clear that the Lord is “against" them (see Note 1 below).
b. The reason for the judgment of these nations (which starts with Syria) is given as “for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the Lord”. What does it mean?
(2) Against the Phoenicians (vv. 2b-4)
a. By the time of Zechariah, Tyre and Sidon had been destroyed by the Babylonians, and the more powerful Tyre had retreated to its island stronghold, less than a mile west of the mainland (see Scriptural Reflection and Meditative Reflection of Ezekiel 26:1-21, Day 257 of Year 5 of the Devotional Guide).
b. What was Tyre’s condition even after the defeat by Nebuchadnezzar? (vv. 2-3)
c. What will their fate be eventually? (v. 4)
(3) Against the Philistines (vv. 5-6)—All the cities mentioned in these verses are major cities of the Philistines along the western coast of Palestine; they have been enemies of Israel for a long time.
a. What impact will the eventual destruction of Tyre have on these cities? (v. 5)
b. Can they avoid the same fate? (In general, they were all destroyed at the hand of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C., although some of them, like Ashkelon, were rebuilt somewhat later in history.)
(4) Salvation extended to them (vv. 7-8)
a. However, this oracle prophesies that the Philistines would follow the footsteps of God’s people in obeying the Law of Moses by not eating blood (i.e. the commands given in Lev. 11). What does it signify?
b. The reasons are given as follows:
i. They (i.e. those who are left at the time) will belong to the God of Israel: What does that mean? (see Rom. 9:25; Hos. 2:23)
ii. They will even become leaders in Judah: How can it be?
iii. Ekron (likely as a representative of them) will be like the Jebusites: What does that mean? (see Note 2 below)
(5) What is the message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note 1:
Damascus was the capital city; together with Hamath and Hadrach, it denoted the region of present-day Syria. Historically, Syria was mainly at war with Israel, the Northern Kingdom (1 Ki. 20; 22; 2 Ki. 9:14-15; 10:32-33; 12:17-18; 14:23-29; 16:5-9 etc.) In the days of Nebuchadnezzar, these Aramean troops were sent with others to punish Judah (2 Ki. 24:2). Their more specific sins against Israel were mentioned by Amos 1:3-5 and Jeremiah 49:23-32. (See Meditative Article of Jeremiah 49:23-39, Day 310 of Year 4 of this Devotional Guide.)
Note
2:
“The Jebusites were native to the region of Jerusalem at the time of the
conquest of the land under Joshua. They
continued to control Jerusalem for the centuries of the Judges up to the
conquest of Jerusalem by David. There
are a few textual indications that they were absorbed into Israel rather than wiped out (see 2 Sam. 24:18).”
(The IVP Bible Background Commentary, OT)
“…for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the Lord.” (Zech. 9:1)
As the Lord foretells the glorious future of Israel through Zechariah in chapter 8, He quickly follows up with the pronouncement of judgment on the traditional enemies of Israel who have been their neighbors for centuries. It is interesting to note that the pronouncement of the judgment is prefaced by these words, “…for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the Lord” (9:1).
It reflects God’s awareness that the people of Israel are looking to see if the prophecies against these nations by Isaiah, Jeremiah and many prophets are to be fulfilled. In order words, the faithfulness of God is at stake. If He is only saying these things to comfort Israel, He is not a faithful God. As a result, the Lord, through Zechariah, once again reiterates that His words will definitely be fulfilled.
However, it is not only the eyes of all the tribes of Israel (meaning both the former northern and southern kingdoms of Israel) that are on the Lord, but also the eyes of men, i.e. the Gentile world as well. Why should the eyes of the Gentile world be set on the Lord as well, to see if He would carry His righteous vengeance on those who were His enemies? The answer is amazingly given within the words of judgment in that:
- Using the Philistinians as an example, God will cause them to obey His law, by taking “the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth” (9:7).
- But this is not just an external compliance to the Law of Moses but a total transformation in their relationship with God in these ways: They will (1) now belong to God and (2) even become leaders in Judah; and (3) Ekron (likely as a representative of the Gentiles) will be like the Jebusites who were treated even in the time of pre-exilic Judah as one of God’s people.
Of course, as we know, this has already come to pass with the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ as affirmed by the Apostle Paul with his quote from Hosea 2:23
“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one, and, in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people', there they will be called ‘children of the living God'.” (Rom. 9:25-26)
With these words of Zechariah and the affirmation by the Apostle Paul, we should have total faith in the Lord in fulfilling every word that He has promised, no matter how long it may take according to His eternal plan.
The promise of salvation that will befall both the Jews and Gentiles is further explained by the coming of the Messiah King:
9:9-10—The Lowly King
(1) The people in Zion and in Jerusalem are told to rejoice greatly and even to shout: What is the reason for such excitement and joy? (v. 9a)
(2) Attributes of Their King (v. 9b)
a. Righteous:
i. Given the preceding prophecy in this chapter against the nations, what would the immediate audience of Zechariah expect of this “righteous king” of theirs?
ii. According to the prophecy of Isaiah, how will this king administer His righteous justice? (see Isa. 42:1-7)
iii. How has it been fulfilled in Jesus Christ? (see Matt. 12:15-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Pet. 3:18)
b. Victorious
i. What will Zechariah’s immediate audience expect of this “victorious king?
ii. What victory has Christ already achieved for us? (1 Cor. 15:54-57)
iii. How will He also fulfill the victory over the nations of earth? (Rev. 19:11-16)
c. Lowly
i. According to Zechariah, how will this king exhibit his lowliness?
ii. In the time of Jesus, do you know how the great kings of the Rome would ride into their royal cities? (see Note below)
(3) How did our Lord Jesus Christ fulfill this prophecy of a lowly king? (Matt. 21:1-7; Lk. 19:29-36)
(4) How did the people greet Him at His entrance into the city of Jerusalem? (Matt. 21:8-11; Lk. 19:37-38)
(5) Why did the Pharisees greet Him differently? (Lk. 19:39)
(6) How did the Lord’s response echo that of Zechariah 9:9? (Lk. 19:40)
9:10-17—The Salvation of the Lowly King
(7) The proclamation of peace (vv. 10-12)
a. Because of His rule, what will happen to Israel (Ephraim denotes the former northern 10 tribes, and Jerusalem the tribes of Judah and Benjamin)? (v. 10a)
b. How far will His rule extend to? (v. 10b)
c. “As for you” (meaning Zion):
i. What will happen to all his prisoners? (a waterless pit refers to an empty cistern often used as a detention cell)
ii. What is the cause for the gaining of freedom by the prisoners? (v. 11a)
iii. What does this “blood of My covenant” refer to? (see Matt. 26:28)
iv. What kind of freedom and peace is prophesied by Zechariah? (see Lk. 4: 17-21)
(8) The proclamation of judgment and victory (vv. 11-17) — The imagery uses weapons known to the immediate audience of Zechariah (that bow, sword and slingstones).
a. Should they be afraid of the rising power of Greece at the time?
b. How will they be able to gain victory over their enemies with such things as slingstones? What does this image remind them of? (1 Sam. 17:41-49)
c. What does the use of the imagery of a drink offering at the altar depict? (v. 15)
d. What other imagery is used to depict the deliverance by this lowly King? (v. 16)
e. In summary, what will become of those who are saved by this King? (v. 17: see Jn. 10:10)
(9) What is the message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
The entrance of a conquering ruler in Roman times was called “triumphus”, a ceremony that included the wearing of a crown, the riding of a four-horse chariot, followed by his army, captives and the spoils of his war. (You can learn more from Wikipedia.)
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem. See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech. 9:9)
“This would have been a ridiculous display, if it had not been in accordance with the prediction of Zechariah, (ix.9.) In order to lay claim to the honors of royalty, He enters Jerusalem, riding on an ass. A magnificent display, truly! More especially when the ass was borrowed from some person, and when the want of a saddle and of accoutrements compelled the disciples to throw their garments on it, which was a mark of mean and disgraceful poverty. He is attended, I admit, by a large retinue; but of what sort of people? Of those who had hastily assembled from the neighboring villages. Sounds of loud and joyful welcome are heard; but from whom? From the very poorest, and from those who belong to the despised multitude. One might think, therefore, that He intentionally exposed Himself to ridicule of all. But as He had two things to do at the same time, — as He had to exhibit some proof of His kingdom, and to show that it does not resemble earthly kingdoms, and does not consist of the fading riches of the world, it was altogether necessary for Him to take this method."
(Calvin, Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, Vol. I, 447)
With the coming of the lowly king, God will restore both Judah and Ephraim—meaning all the tribes of Israel:
(1) Seek the Lord, not idols (vv. 1-2)
a. Why does the Lord speak particularly about praying for rain?
b. From whom, therefore, should they seek help?
c. Why should they not seek idols?
d. What happened when the people sought idols instead? (v. 2b)
(2) Promise to care for Judah as His flock (vv. 3-5)
a. Because of the condition of the people, against whom does the Lord’s anger burn? Why?
b. In promising to care for the people of Judah as His flock, God also promises them victory over their enemies. What does each imagery below depict?
i. A proud horse in battle
ii. Warriors in battle
iii. From Judah comes
1. The cornerstone (which is needed for the foundation of a building)
2. The peg (which is needed for holding up a tent)
3. The bow
4. Every ruler
5. What will all of the above do “together” (NIV)? (v. 5)
iv. What is the key to their victory? (v. 5b)
(3) The whole house of Israel—Judah and Joseph (v. 6)
a. Why would the Lord strengthen, save and restore them?
b. What is meant by “as though I had not rejected them"?
(4) Promise to redeem Ephraim (vv. 7-12)
a. What will they become militarily that is similar to Judah? (v. 7a, v.5)
b. What will their lives be marked by? (v. 7b)
c. As the Lord redeems them (vv. 8-9)
i. Where have they been scattered to?
ii. Will they and their children be able to survive in distant lands and why? (v. 9)
iii. From where will the Lord bring them back? (v. 10a: Babylon is not mentioned because the ten tribes, as represented by Ephraim, were taken captive mainly to Assyria and some also likely to Egypt at the time.)
iv. To where will they be brought back? (v. 10b; these places were once inhabited by the northern tribes of Israel)
v. How does the Lord describe their future prosperity? (v. 10c)
vi. How does the Lord describe their journey home? (v. 11a)
vii. Should they then be afraid? Why or why not? (vv. 11b-12)
viii. Read v. 12 carefully: Who is that Redeemer who will lead and strengthen them?
(5) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“They will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up. Assyria’s pride will be brought down and Egypt’s scepter will pass away.” (Zech. 10:11)
As the Lord continues His message of hope and restoration to Israel, I find the oracle in Zechariah 10 most touching and personal, because its emphasis is not just on the power of God in gathering them from distant lands (v. 9), in giving them military successes (vv. 3-4), and in multiplying their number (vv. 8, 10), but also on His care (v. 3), on His compassion and forgiveness (v. 6), and on how they feel in their hearts (v. 7b). Verse 11, in particular fully shows how God identifies with their plight as He says, “They will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up.”
Some versions of the Bible translate the first part of the sentence as “He will pass through the sea of trouble” which appears to be a more literal translation of the original Hebrew. It conveys the idea that the Lord will not only subdue the surging sea and deliver them from their trouble, He in fact is passing through their sea of trouble with them.
This is how good our God is. He is not a distant God who from heaven exercises His mighty wand to deliver us. He has come down in the person of Jesus Christ to taste of our every trial (Heb. 4:15) so that as we pass through our sea of trouble, we can be sure that He understands how we feel because He’s been there. More than that, He is going through our sea of trouble with us and thus we can “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)