RESTORATION ASSURED

                                                               10:1-12

During the next two chapters the shepherd theme grows in importance! In the past, Israel was like lost sheep without a shepherd. Yahweh had pled: “ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone” (v.1). But Israel’s leaders forsook the Lord and instead sought guidance in the occult.

          (v.2) “the idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie,                      

          they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain

          Therefore, the people wander like sheep oppressed

           for lack of a shepherd."

In contrast to a God who promised to abundantly provide, demonic fortunetellers left them like sheep without a shepherd, lacking proper guidance and direction. The Church today, likewise needs to take a closer look at the foundation of our faith! For Paul clearly warns: “that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). Dr. McComiskey adds: “blinded by middle-class values, the people of God may seek their direction in methods that successfully build corporations, but that may neglect biblical principles and fail to reflect the spirit of Christ” (The Minor Prophets, p.1176)

            The returning remnant from Babylon had some godly              l       leaders but the people soon reverted to

the counsel of false shepherds for direction. So God expresses His displeasure: “My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders”(v.3). These leaders were like “he-goats,” headstrong and stubborn. But God promised He would overrule their rebellion and, as Messiah, come from Judah as“the cornerstone, the tent peg and the battle bow”(v.4), giving Him the right to do as He chooses. Note the reference to “the house of Judah and the house of Joseph” in the next two verses: “...I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them” (v.6) Jameson Fausset and Brown state:“The distinct mention of both Judah and Israel shows that there is yet a more complete restoration than that from Babylon when Judah alone and a few Israelites from the other tribes returned. The Maccabean deliverance is here connected with it, just as the painter groups on the same canvas objects in the foreground and hills far distant; or as the comparatively near planed and the remote fixed star are seen together in the same firmament. Prophecy ever hastens to the glorious final consummation under Messiah” (Commentary of the whole Bible, p.729).

Verses 3-7 tells how the Lord will transform His feeble flock like an invincible royal war-horse, erasing the memory of their past failures and bondage to the nations: “the Lord Almighty will care for his flock...and make them like a proud horse in battle” (v.3b), and then adds, “I will restore them because I have compassion on them...and their hearts will be glad as with wine, their children will see it an be joyful, and their hearts will rejoice in the Lord” (v.6b,7b). While the returning remnant from Babylon had some godly leaders and would have been encouraged by these words, it wasn't long before the people began seeking the counsel of false shepherds for direction. Therefore this prophecy points to a future time which may possibly have begun with the reestablishment of the modern state of Israel since 1948.

Verses 8-12 reiterates His intention for both Israel and Judah. Because of their rebellion He was forced to scatter them among the nations: “thought I scatter them among the peoples...they and their children will survive and they will return...and there will not be room enough for them” (vs.9-10). How will He do that? Verse 8 simply states: “I will whistle for them and gather them, for I will redeem them” (v.8). This is the exact prophecy Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 5:26: “I will whistle for them from the end of the earth.” Jehovah, by the mere word of His mouth, will gather back to Palestine His scattered people. And when He does bring them back, “there will not be room enough for them” (v.10) with the promise that: “even though they pass through the sea of trouble (11a)...I will strengthen them in the Lord and they shall walk up and down in His name” (v.12). This prophecy finds complete fulfillment during Messiah's millennial reign.