Zechariah Chapter 10
From The Open Bible Project
10:1 Ask of Yahweh rain in the spring time, Yahweh who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.
- (a) The Prophet reproves the Jews, because by their own infidelity they turn away God’s promised graces, and so famine came by God’s just judgment. Therefore to avoid this plague, he exhorts them to turn to God, and to pray in faith to him, and so he will give them abundance.
10:2 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.
- (b) He calls to remembrance God’s punishments in times past, because they trusted not in him, but in their idols and sorcerers who always deceived them.
(c) That is, the Jews went into captivity.
10:3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For Yahweh of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
- (d) Meaning, the cruel governors who did oppress the poor sheep; (Ezekiel 34:16-17).
- (e) He will be merciful to his Church, and cherish them as a king or prince does his best horse, which will be for his own use in war.
10:4 From him will come forth the cornerstone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
- (f) Out of Judah will the chief governor proceed, who will be as a corner to uphold the building, and as a nail to fasten it together.
- (g) Over their enemies.
10:5 They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded.
10:6 "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy on them; and they will be as though I had not cast them off: for I am Yahweh their God, and I will hear them.
- (h) That is, the ten tribes, which would be united under Christ to the rest of the Church.
10:7 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 Yahweh.
10:8 I will signal for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they will increase as they have increased.
- (i) By which he declares the power of God, who needs no great preparation when he will deliver his own: for with a gesture or hiss he can call them suddenly from all places.
10:9 I will sow them among the peoples; and they will remember me in far countries; and they will live with their children, and will return.
- (k) Though they will yet be scattered and seem to be lost, yet it will be profitable to them: for there they will come to the knowledge of my name, which was accomplished under the Gospel, among whom it was first preached.
- (l) Not that they would return into their country, but be gathered and joined in one faith by the doctrine of the Gospel.
10:10 I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and there won't be room enough for them.
10:11 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.
- (m) He alludes to the deliverance of the people out of Egypt, when the angel smote the floods and rivers.
10:12 I will strengthen them in Yahweh; and they will walk up and down in his name," says Yahweh.
