Day 265 – Zechariah 10-14

Talking Points

• Zechariah continues to tell God’s people of their well-founded hope in a great future. God will surely execute justice on their enemies, and His promise of blessing will result in glad hearts and great rejoicing. Pointing to better days, the phrase “in that day” is used no less than 17 times in these four chapters. Praise the Lord! We can take joy in that day!
• The days of perfect justice and great blessing are tethered to the promise of the Messiah who will spring forth from Judah. Chapter 10 gives us a terrific description of our Savior. Check out verse 4! He is the “cornerstone” — the dependable, sure Foundation. He is the “tent peg” — the firmly set Anchor to which our faith is tied. He is the “bow of battle” — the divine Warrior who will carry out God’s perfect judgment and usher in days of peace.
• What a great promise of God: “and there will no longer be any curse” (Zechariah 14:11)! And, again 550 years later: “There will no longer be any curse” (Revelation 22:3).

Thoughts

There’s something completely heartbreaking about the description of the “flock doomed to slaughter” (Zechariah 11:4). Their worthless shepherds buy them for personal gain, slay them without pity, and then even pretend to thank God for the wealth they acquire.

There are devastating effects when the flock looks to false shepherds who “speak iniquity…, see lying visions, And tell false dreams” (10:2). Those who listen to them and follow their voices are “comfort[ed] in vain…, wander like sheep…, [and] are afflicted” (10:2)

With so much wickedness bearing down on this world, it’s not hard to see the afflicted. The aimless wandering, the false comfort, the lack of compassion, the lies — it’s all really too much to take.

What are we to do?

We look to the Lord, the One who provides. He’s the One whose anger kindles against the false shepherds. He’s the One who promises to answer us, to be with us, to have compassion on us, to save us! He’s the One who restores.

He pastures the flock. And, He does it not for His personal gain, but at His personal cost. Our hearts can rejoice in the True Shepherd, the Good Shepherd.

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.