Zech. 9:1 The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.
Zech. 9:2 And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
“burden” = a word of doom
Hadrach and Damascus are both cities in Syria. This message from the LORD as delivered by Zechariah declares judgment against these two cities. Although the wording is difficult, it would seem that this judgment will also include the Syrian cities of Hamath, Tyre, and Zidon even though they are regarded as wise [in the area of defense seems to be implied]. These cities are part of today’s Lebanon and Syria.
The timeframe for this prophecy is identified as “when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.” This is the confusing part, but as is often the case with the prophets, maybe it can be explained by the fact that the message they declared often included near and far fulfillments without clear distinction of the two. That is definitely the case in later verses in this chapter, so there is no reason to think otherwise with this section. Even though Alexander the Great seems to be the reference point of fear in the “near” prophecy, I don’t think “the eyes of men” in general were looking to YHWH at that time—Israel, yes; the rest of the nations, no. This leads me to believe that there is fulfillment yet to come, and I would tend to think that it ties in with Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 17 regarding the destruction of Damascus. Though men will be in worldwide rebellion against God, they will recognize His wrath.
Zech. 9:3 And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
Zech. 9:4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
Both Isaiah (chapter 23) and Ezekiel (chapters 26-27) prophesied against Tyre. Tyre was a very wealthy city due to her powerful naval force and position as a prominent port and trading center on the Mediterranean coast. She escaped being conquered by Assyria and Babylon, although Nebuchadnezzar persisted for 13 years. In fact, during Neb’s siege of the city, its citizens relocated their city to an island situated some distance from the mainland. Alexander the Great completed in seven months, what others could not do. He razed the original location and threw the rubble into the sea to build a causeway to the island, finally succeeding in conquering the city and burning it to the ground.
Zech. 9:5 Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
Zech. 9:6 And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
Zech. 9:7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron and Ashdod were four of the main Philistine cities that were located in the general area of what is today known as the Gaza Strip. These cities had hoped that Tyre would be able stop Alexander’s advance, but that expectation was disappointed (from the Hebrew for ashamed). The key point being made, these cities were conquered and many were killed; the survivors of this proud people were duly humbled.
I went to the commentaries for help on the first part of verse 7; JFB states the following: “Blood was forbidden as food (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:26). abominations — things sacrificed to idols and then partaken of by the worshippers (Numbers 25:2; Acts 15:29). The sense is, ‘I will cause the Philistines to cease from the worship of idols.’ even he shall be for our God — ‘even he,’ like Hamath, Damascus, Tyre, etc., which, these words imply, shall also be converted to God.…”
That makes sense to me, but I think you have to jump way into the future from Zechariah’s time to today. It is interesting that this area of land is today known as the Gaza Strip and is considered “Palestinian” territory, and they are enemies of Israel and Israel’s God. The day is coming, however, when the Palestinians, the people of Lebanon and the Syrians will serve the God of Israel.
I couldn’t help but pay close attention last summer (2006) during the war between Hezbullah and Israel and make note of the impact on Tyre. I’m not sure how it all fits and is going to come down, but I believe these enemies of Israel will experience destruction once more and will finally be reconciled to Israel during the Messiah’s Kingdom. And I’m sure that when we are able to read the scripture with hindsight, it will make perfect sense.
Zech. 9:8 And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
Alexander the Great basically “passed by” Israel (as described by Josephus) in his march to conquer Egypt and his return from that campaign. There will probably be a further fulfillment of this prophecy in the future.
Josephus, Book 11, The Antiquities of the Jews, Chapter 8, 4-5: “Now Alexander, when he had taken Gaza, made haste to go up to Jerusalem; and Jaddua the high-priest, when he heard that, was in agony, and under terror, as not knowing how he should meet the Macedonians, since the king was displeased at his foregoing disobedience. He therefore ordained that the people should make supplications, and should join with him in offering sacrifices to God, whom he besought to protect that nation, and to deliver them from the perils that were coming upon them; whereupon God warned him in a dream, which came upon him after he had offered sacrifice, that he should take courage, adorn the city, and open the gates; that the rest appear in white garments, but that he and the priests should meet the king in habits proper to their order, without the dread of any ill consequences, which the providence of God would prevent. Upon which, when he rose from his sleep, he greatly rejoiced; and declared to all the warning he had received from God. According to the dream he acted entirely, and so waited for the coming of the king.
And when he understood that he was not far from the city, he went out in procession, with the priests and the multitude of the citizens. The procession was venerable, and the manner of it different from that of other nations. It reached to a place called Sapha; which name, translated in Greek, signifies a prospect, for you have thence a prospect both of Jerusalem and of the temple; and when the Phoenicians and the Chaldeans that followed him, thought they should have liberty to plunder the city, and torment the high-priest to death, which the king’s displeasure fairly promised them, the very reverse of it happened; for Alexander, when he saw the multitude at a distance, in white garments, while the priests stood clothed with fine linen, and the high-priest in purple and scarlet clothing, with his mitre on his head having the golden plate on which the name of God was engraved, he approached by himself, and adored that name, and first saluted the high-priest. The Jews also did all together, with one voice, salute Alexander, and encompass him about: whereupon the kings of Syria and the rest were surprised at what Alexander had done, and supposed him to be disordered in his mind. However, Parmenio [Alexander’s second-in-command] alone went up to him, and asked him how it came to pass, that when all others adored him, he should adore the high-priest of the Jews? To whom he replied, ‘I did not adore him, but that God who has honored him with that high-priesthood; for I saw this very person in a dream, in this very habit, when I was at Dios, in Macedonia, who, when I was considering with myself how I might obtain the dominion of Asia, exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly to pass over the sea thither, for that he would conduct my army, and would give me dominion over the Persians; whence it is, that having seen no other in that habit, and now seeing this person in it, and remembering my vision and the exhortation which I had in my dream, I believe that I bring this army under divine conduct, and shall therewith conquer Darius, and destroy the power of the Persians, and that all things will succeed according to what is in my own mind.’ And when he had said this to Parmenio, and had given the high-priest his right hand, the priests ran along by him, and he came into the city; and when he went up into the temple, he offered sacrifice to God, according to the high-priest’s direction, and magnificently treated both the high-priest and the priests. And when the book of Daniel was showed him, wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that himself was the person intended; and as he was then glad, he dismissed the multitude for the present, but the next day he called them to him, and bade them ask what favors they pleased of him: whereupon the high-priest desired that they might enjoy the laws of their forefathers, and might pay no tribute on the seventh year. He granted all they desired: and when they entreated him that he would permit the Jews in Babylon and Media to enjoy their own laws also, he willingly promised to do hereafter what they desired: and when he said to the multitude, that if any of them would enlist themselves in his army on this condition, that they should continue under the laws of their forefathers, and live according to them, he was willing to take them with him, many were ready to accompany him in his wars.”
The last half of this verse seems to jump forward to the Messiah’s Kingdom, because Israel has been oppressed over and over again through the centuries since that time. Once Messiah’s Kingdom is established, Israel will be under His Divine protection; and even when Satan is released to gather a great army for one more showdown with the Lord at the end of that 1000-year reign, Israel will be protected and avenged.
“now have I seen with mine eyes” – I think this is a reminder that Israel has remained under the watchful eye of YHWH throughout the years of their dispersion among the nations. He has seen how they have been treated by the Gentile nations, and He will take vengeance on their behalf.
Zech. 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Matthew records that this prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus when He road into Jerusalem on what we commemorate as “Palm Sunday.”
Matthew 21:1-5” And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”
Guzik: “This Messiah-King is lowly, but this wasn’t indicated by the animal he rode. He doesn’t ride the triumphant stallion of a conquering general, but the customary mount for royalty, coming in peace.”
Zech. 9:10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
We have to remember that it is the LORD speaking here. He is declaring His intent to eliminate the weapons of war from Israel. He is going to declare peace with the Gentile nations, and establish His rule throughout the earth. Again, this is obviously yet future; the LORD will establish His throne in Jerusalem as the center of world government when He returns as the King of kings as described in Revelation 19.
Revelation 19:11-16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Both Isaiah and Micah make similar prophecies.
Isaiah 2:2-4 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Micah 4:1-3 “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Ironside: “Between verse 9 and verse 10 this entire dispensation of grace comes in; for it is evident that the latter part of the chapter has never yet had its fulfilment. The King came, but was refused. His cross becomes the sign of salvation for all who trust Him; while He Himself has taken His seat on the Father’s throne in the heavens. Never for one hour has He occupied the throne of David which is yet to be His.”
Wiersbe: “When Jesus Christ coms again, He will ‘speak peace’ which means ‘proclaim peace,’ for unlike authors and politicians, when Jesus speaks, His words carry authority and things happen. His Word will go forth with power and result in a general disarmament around the world.”
Zech. 9:11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
Zech. 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
The NIV reads a bit more clearly: “As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”
In Genesis 15 we are told of a blood covenant that God made with Abraham promising that his seed would inherit the land “from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” (v18) That covenant was unconditional. In spite of their rebellion, Israel will eventually be brought back into permanent relationship with YHWH.
The prisoners in the pit seem to be referencing the people of Israel that are scattered throughout the nations.
“no water” – I’m a bit clueless. Could this be a reference to the absence of the Holy Spirit among the scattered people of the nation who were unable to access the temple?
Isaiah 44:2-3 “Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring….”
“return you to the stronghold” – A stronghold is a fortress or place of security. It would seem that the LORD is issuing a call for His people “of hope” to return home. This would be directed to those who had placed their faith in God and were looking for their Messiah and the fulfillment of the blood covenant to possess the land. Those who do will receive compensation double in comparison to their suffering. Isaiah has a prophecy that is similar to this one that in context is referencing Messiah’s Kingdom.
Isaiah 61:7 “For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.”
As I read over this again, I got the impression that the immediate application was to the Jews that had stayed in Babylon in spite of the fact that God had caused them to be “sent forth” or allowed to go home. They foreshadow the final fulfillment when Messiah comes to establish His Kingdom and facilitates the return of all the Jews to their homeland under the new covenant. At that time, Jerusalem and Israel will be a mighty stronghold.
Zech. 9:13 When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
This sounds like the people of Israel would defeat the Greeks, picturing them as bows, arrows, and the sword of a mighty man. We know that Alexander didn’t bother them, but when he died, the same could not be said of his eventual successor over that region, Antiochus Epiphanes. Though he did great evil in the Holy Land, his armies were defeated by the Maccabean revolt that reestablished Jewish independence.
Antiochus Epiphanes is recognized by many (including me) as a type of the future Antichrist. (See topical study, “Antichrist per Daniel 11.”) I believe the defeat of Antiochus foreshadows the final defeat of the Antichrist.
Zech. 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Zech. 9:15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
If my conclusions are correct, then these verses are affirming that it is God’s supernatural provision that accomplished the victory for the Maccabeans. Frankly, I believe that Israel has never won a battle without God’s supernatural provision—and they never will. Who can call their fight to preserve the new state in 1948 anything but a miracle…or the 6-Day War in 1967…or the Yom Kippur War of 1973? It will be the same when Antichrist is defeated at Armageddon.
Zech. 9:16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
Zech. 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.
The day is coming when Israel will again be pictured as a flock of sheep that is carefully guarded and provided for by the Shepherd, YHWH. They will be as treasured as precious jewels in the crown of the King. They will be a testimony to God’s power and the truth of His word. Isaiah words it beautifully.
Isaiah 62:1-3 “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.”
The people will enjoy the abundant produce of the land, which is representative of God’s blessing and provision. In that day the people of Israel will understand more fully than ever the goodness of the LORD and the beauty of His being.
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.
“latter rain” = the spring rain, from a root that means “to gather the after crop,” the latter growth
“grass” = to glisten (or be green); grass (or any tender shoot)
This is the first time I have really thought about this verse in context. The previous chapter ended in reference to the blessings of the Messianic Kingdom. This verse presents a contrast to God’s power in truth to provide for His people versus the impotence of idols and the lies of false prophets. The “latter rain” in context seems to be a reference to the believing remnant of Israel that will enter the Messianic Kingdom. Those who are part of that generation will be able to ask of YHWH and expect provision in abundance. “Showers of rain” actually reads “rains upon rains”; in other words, there will be no lack of provision. Every one will experience abundance of crops.
This ties in beautifully with the truth of the use of this phrase in James.
James 5:7 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”
James was writing to “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (v1). The husbandman (Jesus) is waiting for the precious fruit of the earth (His people, in context believing Israel). Jesus told us Himself that He would not return until the Jews have recognized Him as their Messiah and desire His return.
Matthew 23:39 “For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
I have most often heard this applied to the increased activity of the Spirit in end times through connection to the words of the prophet Joel as referenced by Peter when he preached on Pentecost. In context, I believe Joel is also referencing God’s blessing on the restored remnant of Israel during the Messianic Kingdom.
Joel 2:23-27 “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.”
This is all a clear reference to Israel during the Messianic Kingdom. Verse 26 makes it clear that it is a time that they will “praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you.” That has yet to be true of Israel since the Babylonian captivity.
I think confusion enters due to the following verses in Joel.
Joel 2:28-32 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”
I think the wrong choice from the Hebrew has been made for the word afterward; I think since or when would have been better choices. The pouring out of God’s spirit, which would be a necessity since the church (filled with the Spirit) is removed, is connected to (“and” verse 29) the wonders in heaven that are in evidence in God’s final week (7 years) of judgment upon Israel and wrath against the heathen.
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.
I was very surprised to see the Hebrew for idols—“a healer,” from a root that stated “to mend, to cure.” Obviously, idols can’t speak. Included in the meaning for vanity is a reference to wickedness.
The history of God’s people declares the truth of the application to His people throughout their history of rebellion and rejection of Him. Their idols have been impotent and the worship of these idols the basis for their wicked actions. Their false prophets have comforted them with lies. Their spiritual leaders did not lead and teach the people according to God’s truth.
In the context of the reference to end times, I couldn’t help but make application to the self-proclaimed “healers” of today who are obvious charlatans taking advantage of the most vulnerable and the false prophets who abuse God’s word and misrepresent His truth. God established government and spiritual leadership to provide for the needs of the people. We naturally function with a flock mentality; peer pressure is a huge influence in both young and old. Without the leadership of godly shepherds, we are prone to fall into trouble.
Zech. 10:3 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.
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.
“goats” = prepared, i.e. full grown…(figuratively) leaders of the people
God holds the leaders of the people, both spiritual and governmental, accountable for the attitudes and actions of the people. He has punished (through Assyria and Babylon) and will again punish those leaders.
Zechariah is declaring that God will deliver the house of Judah and make them glorious participants in the battle between good and evil—between God and Satan. Through Judah will emerge a victorious leader, “the corner…the nail…the battle bow…every oppressor.” I believe all of these find fulfillment in the Messiah.
Corner – Chieftan, leader of the people; Messiah will rule on the throne of David.
Luke 1:31-32 “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David….”
All other eight translations I checked use the word cornerstone, and scripture is clear in declaring Messiah in the person of Jesus Christ as this cornerstone.
Acts 4:10-11 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”
Nail – Represents One upon whom the glory of Judah/Israel rests; the One through whom the glory of the LORD will be manifest in the millennial temple. Isaiah declares this truth concerning Eliakim as a type of the Messiah.
Isaiah 22:23-24 “And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.”
Battle bow – Messiah will be the only battle bow required in the final defeat of armies of Antichrist at Armageddon.
Psalm 7:11-13 “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.”
Every oppressor – In Isaiah the Hebrew for the word oppressor is translated exactor.
Isaiah 60:17 “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.”
I think this is emphasizing that the leaders of the people in the Messiah’s Kingdom will be the good shepherds that the leaders of the people were intended to be from the beginning.
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.
Zech. 10:6 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.
They (Judah) are going to emerge as a nation of the mighty. I think this was looking forward to the Maccabees’ defeat of Antiochus Epiphanes and continuing on into the future to the establishment and governance of the millennial kingdom. I am reminded that Messiah’s Kingdom will be an earthly kingdom, and people will still be born having a sin nature. Scripture tells us that the LORD will rule with a rod of iron, and I’m sure that rod of iron will in part be through His appointed leaders and representatives in/from Israel. This makes me think of God’s promise to Abraham.
Genesis 22:17 “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies….”
The principle – If God be for you, who can be against you!
God again declares His intent to re-gather the whole nation of Israel in His mercy and restore them to fellowship as though they had never rebelled against Him or rejected Him. As YHWH, His purposes will be accomplished.
Isaiah 14:24 “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand….”
“and will hear them” – This is a reference to listening to their prayers with the intent to answer because they are following Him in faith and obedience. This is in direct contrast to His refusal to “hear” them when they had rejected Him in unbelief and disobedience.
Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
Jeremiah 11:9-11 & 14 And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them…. Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.
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.
Zech. 10:8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
Ephraim is another name for the house of Joseph referenced in the verse above. God is emphasizing His intent to restore the whole house of Israel—not just Judah. God will issue the call and His people will return home to Israel—not just in part, but in whole. Those who come will all be part of the believing remnant that He has redeemed by His shed blood on the cross. I thought the Hebrew for the word redeemed was enlightening—“ransom…to release, preserve… deliver…rescue.” They were bought with His blood, released from the power of sin, preserved to new life, delivered from the power of death, and rescued from the attack of the enemy—as is every man and woman who trusts in Him by faith.
The redemption and restoration of Israel will be the cause of great joy in the hearts of the people. I think this is specific wording in connection to the new covenant promised through the prophecy of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 36:24-26 “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”
“they shall increase as they have increased” – In the time of King Solomon Israel was described as a nation with numbers as the sand by the sea. This was in accordance with God’s promise to Abraham as stated in Genesis 22:17 above.
1Kings 4:20 “Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.”
I think in essence, the prophet is affirming God’s promise to again multiply them into a great nation.
Zech. 10:9 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.
Zech. 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 place shall not be found for them.
God’s judgment upon Israel that caused their dispersion had another purpose—to facilitate the teaching of God’s word. Their conversion as a people will result in a testimony to the nations of the truth of God’s word. Though they have made their homes in other countries, they will once again desire to return to Israel, the land God specifically set apart for them among the nations.
In reference to verse 8, it would seem that the nation will be even more populous than it was during the reign of Solomon—“place shall not be found for them.” The prophet Isaiah declares this same truth.
Isaiah 49:19-20 “For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.”
The land of Gilead lay east of Jordan, stretching from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea in the area of modern day Jordan.
Zech. 10:11 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.
Zech. 10:12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
These glorious promises of blessing are tempered by the fact that Israel will first “pass through the sea with affliction.” The sea is often used to represent the nations in scripture, and history shows that the Jewish people have suffered greatly at the hands of the nations. Though they have often been the target of destruction and persecution, the LORD has preserved them as a people through their affliction. He has worked miracles on their behalf in reestablishing them as a nation. The comparison made here is to their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt through the Red Sea. The LORD has humbled nations who have sought to destroy His people. Their continued existence as a distinct people is a testimony to the truth of God’s word and His power and authority in this evil world. The time is coming when they will possess the fullness of His strength and blessing to the glory of YHWH.
Ironside: “God will only permit so much evil as will ultimately glorify Him. Anything beyond that He will hold in check. How consolatory is this for the tried saint in any dispensation! How often is the spirit overwhelmed and the soul cast down! But faith can look up in the hour when all seems hopeless, and darkness overspreads the scene, knowing that, ‘God sits as Sovereign on His throne, And ruleth all things well.’”