Zechariah 10-12

Zechariah 10

God provides “showers of rain” for His people 

• But people seek:
  • Idols, diviners, false dreams
• Result: Deception, wandering like sheep without a shepherd

God opposes false leaders (“shepherds”)

• Visits His flock (Judah)
• God becomes like a majestic war horse
• Victory over enemies

God strengthens:

• Judah (south)
• Joseph/Ephraim (north)
• “I will bring them back because I have compassion”

God “whistles” and gathers His people

• Return from:
  • Egypt
  • Assyria

Zechariah 11

Coming judgment: Lebanon’s cedars fall, shepherds wail

Zechariah acts out a prophecy as a shepherd

• Fed poor of flock for slaughter
• Removes three shepherds
  • “My soul loathed them” 
• Becomes frustrated with the flock

He takes 2 staffs 

• Staff 1: Favor (נֹעַם  noʿam)
  • Represents covenant blessing
  • Broken now covenant withdrawn
• Staff 2: Union (חֹבְלִים ḥovlim)
  • Represents unity of Judah/Israel
  • Broken now there is division

Thirty pieces of silver

• Shepherd’s wage is given 30 silver pieces (low price/price of a slave Exodus 21:32)
  • Jesus was sold for 30 silver pieces
• “A handsome price” = sarcasm
• Thrown into the house of the LORD

God raises a foolish/evil shepherd

• Exploits the flock
• Judgment placed on him

Zechariah 12

Nations gather against Jerusalem

• God makes it:
  • “A cup of staggering”
  • “A heavy stone”
• Nations injure themselves trying to attack it

Leaders recognize: Strength comes from the LORD

• God will:
  • Strengthen Judah
    • firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves
  • Destroy attacking nations

“They will look on me, on him whom they have pierced…”

• On House of David, outpouring of:
  • Grace
  • Supplication
• Result: Deep mourning for sins

 National mourning

• Mourning like:
  • Death of an only son
  • Like Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo (King Josiah’s death 2 Kings 23:29)
• Individual families mourn separately

Application

Zechariah 10-12 reminds us that God alone is our true Shepherd. Even when God’s people reject Him, He is still working to restore them.