Dec. 21, 2005

 

Chapter 10, verses 3b-12- this portion of Zechariah will emphasize the recovery and restoration of Israel under Messiah (2^nd advent).  It is intended to encourage generations of Jewish believers from the 5^th century BC to the end.

  After declaring His anger against the self-serving “shepherds” of Israel, the Lord speaks of how He will “visit his flock the house of Judah…make them as His royal horse in the battle”—likely, we have in view both 1^st and 2^nd advents—see Luke 19:41-44 noting “visitation” of the 1^st coming.  But Israel will cease to be “sheep that are wandering …troubled” –verse 2 and become a like a magnificent steed appropriate for a king to ride in battle.  “Judah” reminds us that the Messiah will be of the house of David – Matt. 1:1, Lk.1:32.

  “from Him..” distinguishes Judah as the tribe to supply the One who turns

around the fortunes of Israel- Genesis 49:9-12 and Matt. 2:6. Then the LORD uses 3 terms descriptive of this One from Judah:

1) “cornerstone” –Isaiah 28:16 and references for the church age of Eph.2:20.

The figure of a stone or rock has been used already in the OT- Daniel 2:34, 44-45 with respect to an eternal kingdom.  Christ will be the Establisher and measuring Stone that prevents deception (vs.2) in Israel ever again.

2) “tent peg” [KJV ‘nail’]- the word is for the stake used to support a tent-

(Ex.27:19, 35:18).  It indicates the Messiah as a Ruler who “supports the nation”

in terms of godly character & leadership.  Such language is found in Isa.22:20-23 where the historical character of Eliakim speaks of the future prophetic character of Messiah.  Yet, note in Isa.22:25 that historically, Eliakim’s rule was to be ended with the fall of Judah to the Babylonians.  However, the greater

“Tent-peg” [Messiah] will have permanent rule- Isa.9:7.

3) “battle bow”-speaks of Messiah’s prowess in battle to subdue His enemies-

see Psa.45:1-5 and Rev.19:11—clear references to His 2^nd advent in judgment.

  The latter part of vs.4 says “from him every ruler together”- the KJV has

‘every oppressor’—this reference is not to Messiah, but to what Messiah (Judah) does to wicked rulers.  It has the idea of “going out away from” such a Righteous One.  Verse 5 characterizes Israel as victorious in battle due the fact that the LORD is with them.

   The next several verses list the things the LORD will do for Israel:

Vs.6  “I will strengthen… I will save….I will bring them back..I will hear..”

Vs.8  “I will whistle for them and gather them”

Vs.9  “I will sow them..”

Vs.10 “I will bring them back …Egypt… gather them from Assyria..

  I will bring them into the land of Lebanon”

Vs.12 “So I will strengthen them” – note the encircling use of the same

phrase at the beginning and end.

 

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These phrases express the assertion of divine action or intervention on behalf of His covenant people, Israel.  Each assertion [I will] reminds us of certain

unconditional aspects of the covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel.

By unconditional, it is not meant ‘without regard to righteousness’ (as some non-dispensationalists accuse), but rather that God has undertaken to express with certainty that Israel will be unified, safe, and prosperous due to the eventual fulfillment of His covenant with them.  God can do this due to His sovereignty to accomplish it and His omniscience to know that it will occur.

   Those who reject such a literal recovery of Israel declare that these verses

were fulfilled in the return under Ezra/Nehemiah and therefore have no future

fulfillment as in the dispensational teaching.  In response to this, we might consider the following:

1)  The nature of the covenant promises were strongly connected with the

land and Israel, as the descendants of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, dwelling there.

Gen.12:7, 13:15, 17:8—in each case, the ownership & occupation of the land is described as everlasting or forever.

2)  Israel was to experience living in the land under obedience with its accompanying prosperity –Deut.30:1-10, 33:28.  Ultimately, this was to

prompt Gentiles to view Israel as guides to true worship- Isa.2:2-3, Zech.8:22

3)  Added to this were promises of a descendant of David who would rule

from the throne of David in Jerusalem—II Sam.7:13,16, Zech.6:12-13,—this would be the Messiah-Isa.52:13-53:12.  Eventually, this One would remove iniquity from Israel- Isa. 44:22, Jere.31:34, Micah 7:18, Zech.3:9, 13:1.

4)  Israel will be restored from their scattering among the nations and dwell

in safety in their land-  Isa. 11:11, 43:5-7, 49:22-25, 60:1-22, 62:1-4, Micah 2:12

Ezek.36:16-38, 37:16-24, Daniel 9:24, Hosea 3:4-5, Zech. 8:7.

5) Israel will experience a national conversion to Christ—Zech.12:10, 13:1

Hosea 1:10-11, 3:5, 6:1-3, 14:1-9, Amos 9:11, Micah 5:7

6) The return under Ezra/Nehemiah does not qualify as fulfilling these

and other far-reaching prophecies.

6)  Thus, we say aspects of the Abrahamic, Deuteronomic and Davidic

Covenants are unconditional and await divine intervention in order for

them to be fulfilled.