Today in God's Word—December 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
December 27, Zechariah 10
Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for the lack of a shepherd. "My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle." - Zechariah 10:2-3
Would you rather be a lost sheep or a majestic steed? With the little comparative word "like," Zechariah shows two possible outcomes from the choices we each must make.
Some of the Bible's most precious images of our relationship to God portray us as sheep of the Good Shepherd. That blessed sheep is close to his Master and safe in his fold. He is obedient to the Shepherd's voice. But the sheep in Zechariah's comparison is weak, defenseless and helpless. He does not know where he is or how to get home. The sheep has a master, but he has strayed from him. He is hungry, thirsty and vulnerable to danger. He is lost.
On the other hand, the steed is strong and brave. He is well-trained. He is fearless in the face of danger, and useful to his master. He shares in his master's glorious triumph. He is a victor, not a victim.
God not only made the comparison. He also explained why some of his people were lost sheep and others would be majestic steeds. The blessed and highly favored people of God became wandering sheep when they turned away from God. They bought the lie that the fertility god Baal the neighbors worshiped was the one who gave rain and made their fields fruitful. The had forsaken God who had blessed them, fought for them and protected them. They turned to worship little lifeless statues and listen to lying prophets. The gods they chose were powerless and the voices they followed led them to ruin.
God cared about his people and promised to punish those leaders who misled his flock. He would restore those who would turn back to him. They would be like strong steeds, not wandering sheep. The Messiah would be their true Shepherd, and would establish them and give them victory over their adversaries.
God would restore a remnant of his people because he had compassion on them. When God brought them back, he would love them and treat them as if they never left. He would rescue and restore them, and welcome home those who were scattered to foreign lands.Their hateful captors would no longer afflict them and rule over them. The Lord would make them strong to return and be faithful to him.
With New Testament understanding, you and I can see Jesus as the leader God promised the remnant. Jesus is the cornerstone on which God's plan for redemption is based. He is the tent peg, securing God's promises and his people. He is their strength and supplies his people with spiritual weapons for spiritual warfare. All the other powers are under his control as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
I love the poetic description of the restored people of God near the end of the chapter. No longer lost sheep, they now pass through the sea of troubles. Its waves do not threaten them, and its depths are drained. Their former captors are powerless compared to their true LORD who strengthens his people to serve and follow him.
These grand promises were not about any restoration of the political state of Israel. They are about Messiah and his kingdom. Abraham's descendants by faith and not flesh compose that company of the blessed, along with Gentiles from the nations, just as God promised the old patriarch so long ago.
God's promises and plans had not failed. He encouraged his people to put their trust in him and wait for him. That's still good counsel for you and me today as we live our lives in his name.
Copyright © 2024 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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