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Bible Commentaries
Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary Garner-Howes
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of Blessed Hope Foundation and the Baptist Training Center.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of Blessed Hope Foundation and the Baptist Training Center.
Bibliographical Information
Garner, Albert & Howes, J.C. "Commentary on Zechariah 10". Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghb/zechariah-10.html. 1985.
Garner, Albert & Howes, J.C. "Commentary on Zechariah 10". Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary. https://studylight.org/
Whole Bible (51)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (6)
Verses 1-8
ZECHARIAH - CHAPTER 10
ISRAEL’S FUTURE STRENGTH
Verses 1-8:
Help For Judah And Ephraim
Verse 1 calls upon the people of God to pray for rain, to ask of Him rain, in the time of latter rains, in February or March, Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23-32; Zechariah 12. This has both a physical and spiritual implication. Rain seasons, as of old, will be restored to Palestine, but the power of the Spirit is also to be restored to her, in her return and obedience to Him; He can and will give rain on being asked, Jeremiah 10:13; Jeremiah 14:22. There is then a promise that God will form bright clouds (clouds with lightning) to give one grass in the field, meaning both corn for men and grass for cattle, Job 37:6.
Verse 2 asserts that the household gods have spoken vanity, or living prophets who claimed to receive messages from the idols, lied and deceived, as purported diviners, pretending to have visions and tell dreams received from the dumb, blind, and deaf idols in their homes. Rachel stole such an idol from Laban, Genesis 31:18; 1 Samuel 19:13. Such idolatry stayed from them the grace of God. In them the people found neither comfort nor help, but offended God, Job 13:4; Job 16:2; Job 21:34. Thus Israel and Judah were led away into captivity, as wandering, troubled lost sheep, without a shepherd a prey to every injury of wild beasts. The false prophets they trusted were not shepherds, Ezekiel 34:5. They were as the disciples of our Lord who forsook Him and fled, Matthew 26:56; Zechariah 13:7.
Verse 3 recounts that the Lord’s anger was kindled (inflamed) against the shepherds, who turned hirelings, John 10:12-13. These were the civil rulers of Judah and Israel who aided and promoted idolatry. So He punished the goats, alluding to the headstrong leaders who sanctioned idolatry and its accompanying lusts, Isaiah 15:9, Ezekiel 34:17; Daniel 8:5; Matthew 25:33. The first in crime shall be the first in punishment. The Lord has now visited the house of Judah, and made them strong, as a good horse in battle, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:17; Exodus 4:31; 1 Peter 2:12; Luke 1:68; Zechariah 9:13; Song of Solomon 1:9. They are now His flock.
Verse 4 affirms for the third time, for emphasis, that out of Him (the Lord) came the cornerstone, the Messiah, Isaiah 28:16. And out of Him came the nail or peg; In the oriental tent the nail-peg had hung upon it the most valuable of the furniture, Ezra 9:8; Isaiah 22:23. Upon the Messiah was hung all the true glory and hope of the house of Israel. The nail also was a symbol of sure or secure abode, Exodus 9:8; Judges 4:21; Isaiah 22:23. Out of Him also came the battle bow, or battle strength, Judah shall not need marshal armies of soldiers for protection when He comes, is the idea, Zechariah 9:13; Psalms 45:4-5; Revelation 6:2. Out of Him shall come the end of the oppressor, power to oppress every foe of truth and right.
Verse 5 prophesies that they of Judah, in that day of the Lord, shall, with Him as captain, cause the riders of enemy horses to be confounded. They of Judah, forbidden of the Lord to use horses in battle, Deuteronomy 17:16, shall tread the foe and their horses under foot; the cavalry was the chief power of the Syro-Grecian army. The foe will be trodden under foot of the Lord’s foot-cavalry in that day, is the Divine pledge, Psalms 20:7; Ezekiel 33:4; Daniel 2:40; Daniel 11:40.
Verse 6 records a pledge from the Lord that He will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph He further assures Israel that He will bring them again, from dispersion and captivity, to a place or locate them in Zion, their own city and land. They shall then be as if never cast off, and the Lord will then be attentive to hear their prayers, for His name and covenant’s sake. Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 9:13-15; Zechariah 12:2-6; Zechariah 14:14-21.
Verse 7 foretells that Ephraim’s people shall be like a mighty (powerful) man, and their hearts shall rejoice, and cause their children to rejoice with emotional ecstasy, as one half-imbibed with wine, Psalms 78:65-66. But it shall be in the Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 5:18.
Verse 8 recounts a further pledge of the Lord that He will "hiss" for them, because He has redeemed them, and they shall increase as they have in former days of blessings and prosperity. As a goose hisses when danger approaches her goslings, and to drive away the predator, so the Lord will hiss against Israel’s enemies, And as the bee-keeper whistles to call the hive together for his care, so will the Lord call His people to Him, Isaiah 5:26; Isaiah 7:18; Isaiah 11:11-12; Isaiah 27:12; Matthew 11:28; Revelation 22:17.
Verses 9-12
Review Of Israel’s Dispersion And Return
Verses 9-12:
One View Of Israel’s Dispersion And Return
Verse 9 announces that the Lord will:
1) Sow them (Israel) among the people (Gentiles) Jeremiah 31:27; Luke 21:24.
2) That they will be caused to remember Him in far countries, Luke 15:17; Psalms 22:27.
3) That they shall live (survive) with their children, Genesis 12:1-3.
4) They shall return to their homeland, after many days.
Like good seed they should be sown or scattered abroad, to touch many nations, Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; Micah 5:7; Hosea 2:23. That they should remember Him in far countries, like the prodigal son, Luke 15:17; Deuteronomy 30:1; 2 Chronicles 6:37; Psalms 22:17; Psalms 102:13-15.
Verse 10 pledges another Divine, Supernatural deliverance from the land of Egypt, as well as the gathering out of Assyria, to bring them back to Gilead and Lebanon, prosperous areas of Palestine. These were the main boundaries of the land. There shall not be sufficient room for them because of their numbers, Isaiah 49:20; Isaiah 44:3.
Verse 11 foretells that the Lord will weaken the Assyrian and Egyptian armies, by afflicting the sea, and smiting the waves, and by drying up the waters of the rivers and their headstreams, so that Egypt shall lose her sceptre, royal power, Exodus 14:16; Exodus 21-23; Joshua 3:15 p17; 2 Kings 2:8-11; Revelation 16:12; See also Ezekiel 30:12; Ezekiel 29:14; Ezekiel 29:16. The sea will not obstruct Israel’s return, Isaiah 11:15-16; Amos 8:8; Amos 9:5. This perhaps refers to both the Nile and Euphrates rivers, chief rivers of Assyria and Egypt.
Verse 12 vows that the Lord will strengthen His people in Him, in that day of their return. Never a soul, a family, or a nation returned to God, without finding rest, strength, help, restoration and acceptance, Matthew 11:28-30; Joh 6;37. See also Hosea 1:7; Genesis 5:22; Psalms 20:1; Psalms 20:7; Micah 4:5.