Zechariah Chapter 10                                                            Treasures From The Book of Zechariah

 

Intro:   Zechariah, writing 500 years before Christ, gives a prophetical word concerning the future of Israel.

I would like to begin with verse number 4.

 

 

Zech 10: [4] Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

 

1. The Divine Redeemer       (4)

 

                In verse 4, Zechariah tells us about the Divine Redeemer who would redeem and restore Israel.

            Zechariah mentions “out of him”; which is reference to verse 3 where it says “the Lord of hosts

            The Divine Redeemer is sent forth by the Lord of hosts and is out of the Lord of hosts.

            The Divine Redeemer is to come out of Israel, from the “house of Judah”, verse 3.

            We know that the Lord Jesus is the “Lion of the tribe of Judah

 

            In fact, Micah 5:2 mentions the very village in Judah where the Divine Redeemer will be born.

 

            Micah 5:2

[2] But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

Zechariah also gives us pictures of the Divine Redeemer.

 

A.     The Cornerstone

 

“Out of him came the corner

The Divine Redeemer is the “cornerstone

The cornerstone is the first stone laid to form the building.

The cornerstone gives support, stability and sets the standard for the building.

The building is most dependent upon the foundation of the cornerstone.

 

Isaiah 28:16

[16] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

 

Ephesians 2:20

[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

 

1 Peter 2:4-6

[4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, [5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.           

 

 

 

B.     The Nail

 

“Out of him the nail

The Divine Redeemer is pictured as a nail.

It is good preaching to foreshadow the nails by which the Divine Redeemer would be crucified.

The nails by which are sins were nailed to His cross!

Yet, “the nail” is another word for tent stake, or tent pole.

A tent would be hoisted up and ropes would tie off to a tent stake to hold the tent firm.

There is also a middle post of a tent, likened to a ship’s mast which is called the nail.

On this tent pole, things would be hung; since there are no walls to hang anything on, in a tent.

Jesus is the nail on which all the glory of God’s Kingdom hangs.

Zechariah 6:13

[13] Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne

 

C.     The Battle Bow

 

“Out of him the battle bow

The Divine Redeemer is pictured as a bow.

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Divine Redeemer is the warrior and conqueror who is without equal.

 

D.    The Eliminator of Oppression

 

“Out of him every oppressor together

The Divine Redeemer will destroy all the oppression of the enemy.

 

 

Zech 10: [1] Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time 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. The Divine Rain                 (1)

 

            Zechariah mentions the time of the Millennium in Chapter 9 and continues in verse 1.

            God will give a time of great harvest and all one has to do is ask the Lord for it in that day.

            God will bless and cause the deserts and the wildernesses to bloom.

The entire earth will become a virtual Garden of Eden.

 

            Isaiah 35:1

[1] The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

 

Zechariah is speaking of literal rain that God will give not only in the Millennium but in the present day.

Not a violent flood, but showers of soaking productive rain.

The people should ask the Lord God for rain, not the clouds, nor the stars but the Lord.

The latter rain is the rain of the spring time from March to May.

 

This rain is not only literal but is also spiritual.

Right now Israel is as a spiritual desert and seems to be cast off and away from God.

But will this continue forever?

 

Romans 11:2

[2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.

 

God has a forever planned for Israel and this time of Israel’s redemption is prophesied here.

 

 

Zech 10: [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.

 

3. The Divine Recompense   (2-3)

 

            Zechariah reminds Israel of their service to idols and false gods in their past.

            Israel had practiced witchcraft, listened to diviners, sought out fortune-tellers and practiced the occult.

            In fact they even carried household idols.(Genesis 31:19 Rachel stole the images that were her father’s).

            But all these things were lies and produced a false sense of security. How foolish to trust in idols.

 

            Israel became a flock without a true shepherd to lead, guide and protect Israel.

            Israel looked to counterfeit shepherds that never gave them help or truth.

 

            Ezekiel 34:6-10

[6] My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. [7] Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; [8] As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; [9] Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; [10] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.      

The priests of that day were standing in selfishness and self-centeredness.

But God will punish those so called leaders.

Furthermore, Zechariah is speaking prophetically that Israel will soon fall into sin again.

 

Remember God has told us in the Word of God that Israel will make a pact with the anti-Christ.

Israel will at first embrace and accept the anti-Christ as their Messiah.

 

Matt 24:5,11,24

[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

[11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

[24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

 

All these things will happen, but God will bring down the fake and phonies in divine judgment.

Verse 4 says that all the oppressors will be destroyed by the Divine Redeemer.

 

 

Zech 10: [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; 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.

 

4. Divine Restoration            (5-6)

 

In the Old Testament, Israel only won the battle when the Lord was with them.

Zechariah prophesies that in this future day, God will be with Israel is a mighty way.

 

God will empower Israel so much that they will trample their enemies in the street.

God will cause the enemies of Israel to be confounded and ashamed at their inability to withstand defeat.

 

According to verse 6, God will cause the Kingdom of Israel to be reunited.

They were separated at one time into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.

In fact many people mention today that there are lost tribes to the house of Israel.

But God knows each and everyone and He will unite Israel once again.

 

In verse 6, God says “I am the Lord their God  

When God made a promise to Israel, He kept it and He will keep it.

 

 

Zech 10: [7] And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.

 

5. Divine Rejoicing                (7)

 

            This great restoration which God has given to Israel will cause Israel to rejoice in the Lord.

Israel has their Redeemer, the Rain and the Restoration and these things cause a great Rejoicing.

 

 

Zech 10: [8] I will hiss for them, and gather them; 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; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Labanon; and place shall not be found for them. [11] And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

 

6. Divine Re-gathering          (8-11)

 

            Zechariah says that God will “hiss for them

            This means that God will whistle for Israel. God will call them to re-gather as a redeemed people.

 

            Isaiah 5:26

[26] And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

 

            As Israel increased in the past, they will continue to increase. God will cause Israel to flourish.

 

            Exodus 1:8-12

[8] Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. [9] And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: [10] Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. [11] Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. [12] But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

 

God will gather Israel from across the world out of every nation.

God sowed them all over the world and scattered them, but He will whistle for them to come home.

 

Greater than the parting of the Red Sea and the parting of the Jordan River, God will remove obstacles.

Greater than the defeat of slavery in the nations of Assyria and Egypt, God will defeat the enemies of Israel.

This great time of God’s deliverance will be greater than anything Israel has ever experienced.

 

For the Jews the Lord will whistle but for His church the Lord will blow the trumpet.

When that trumpet sounds all of the dead in Christ and those that remain will be called home.

 

 

Zech 10:[12] And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.

 

 

7. The Divine Renovation     (12)

 

            God will strengthen Israel and give them a total complete revival.

            Israel will walk before the Lord and serve Him. 

 

            When I got saved the Lord made me a new creation, all of the old things were passed away.

            When the Holy Spirit moved into my soul all the plans the devil had for me were changed.

            When the Holy Spirit indwelt my life all the plans I had for me changed.

            What a Divine Renovation!