Zech 10.1-12 is a further explanation about the complete redemption of Israel and contains no new promises.
v 1…Ask rain (there are four words in Hebrew for rain, three of which occur in this verse) at the time of the spring rain (you don’t want rain out of season), the Lord (ask Yehovah for a blessing) who makes the storm clouds (lightning, the sign of rain), and the showers of rain (heavy rain), vegetation (corn/grain for people and grass for cattle) in the field to each man.
v 2…For the teraphim (“idols” from the Syriac “teraph” meaning to “inquire”) speak iniquity, and the diviners see lying visions, and tell false dreams (pretend to see, so-called “prophets” today are doing the same thing); they comfort in vain (soothing promises-unlike Yehovah in v 1, the idols are worthless). Therefore (because they trusted in idols) the people wander like sheep (Israel and Judah were led away captive by listening to the false prophets), they are afflicted because there is no shepherd (no king who guards and provides for the people).
v 3…My anger is kindled against the shepherds (kings, false teachers, prophets, nations), and I will punish the male goats (Hebrew “atudim” symbolizing the strong ones who afflict the poor and humble-Ezek 34.17); for the Lord of hosts has visited (Hebrew “pakod” is visit and it is what Yehovah has determined to do and carry out; and in Gen 50.24-25 we have it twice, “visit, visit” alluding to the two comings of the Messiah and speaking of the first redemption and alluding to the second redemption. This is called a “double” and you won’t see it in English. What does it mean? Something will happen two times. Joseph is a picture of Yeshua and the first coming. Moses is a picture of the first redemption. The second “visit” is the second redemption with Yeshua) his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic horse in battle (not timid but victorious).
v 4…From him (Yehovah)) will come the cornerstone (title for Messiah, the foundation stone on which the whole house stands-Isa 28.16; Matt 21.42; Psa 118; Acts 4.10-11; 1 Pet 2.4; Eph 2.20), from him (Yehovah) the tent peg (Hebrew “yotaid” and another title for Messiah-Exo 27.19; Exo 35.18; Judges 4.21; Gen 3.15; Rev 13.3; Ezra 9.8; Isa 22.15-25), from him (Yehovah) the bow of battle (weapons of war-Psa 45.5; Hab 3.3-19; Gen 49.21), from him (Yehovah) every ruler together (the cornerstone, the foundation where things are built upon in the Lord’s Temple; the tent peg is where everything hangs; and the battle bow is the armies of God).
v 5…And they (the house of Judah-v 3) will be as mighty men (the “givorim” or heroes), treading down the enemy in the mire of the streets in battle; and they will fight, for the Lord will be with them; and the riders on horses (the enemy who resists) will be put to shame.
v 6…And I shall strengthen the house of Judah (two southern tribes), and I shall save the house of Joseph (ten northern tribes), and I shall bring them back because I have had compassion on them; and they will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, and I will answer them.
v 7…And Ephraim (northern tribes are spoken about now) will be like a mighty man (Israel was just a family of tribes at first. At Sinai they became a nation-Deut 4.6-8. The children of Israel were divided into two groups in the Torah before Solomon, Israel and Judah. Their customs were different. That is why it is called the “dual monarchy” until Solomon’s death. The two houses did not start there, as some teach. After Solomon, there was a bigger rift. Israel will be called ‘Ephraim” and “Samaria” and God promised that the northern kingdom would be dispersed among the nations to a great degree, called the “meloh ha goyim” or “fullness of the Gentiles” in Gen 48.19 and Rom 11.25. While there, they would still retain their identity. There is a movement of people today who believe they have descended from the “ten lost tribes” and they are known by several names, “Ephraimite” and the “Two-House” movement. They come out of Christianity and God is speaking to them on an individual basis, and calling them back to the Torah. As a result, they think they are Jewish. There is a problem with this. While some may be Jewish, there is no way without a genealogy to prove who is Jewish or not. The Scripture is full of passages that describe the Gentiles coming to the Lord and joining themselves to Israel. How do we know that someone who starts keeping the Sabbath, studies the festivals, tries to eat biblically mandated foods and follows the Torah as it applies is descended from Israel. Personally, any believer should be doing this no matter where they live. The problem with the movement is not the prophecies about this, but that people are being presumptuous in saying “I am Israel.” This is not to be confused with the biblical concept of being a part of the “commonwealth of Israel” or being spiritually a part of Israel. But to say they are a descendant of Israel will have to wait until Messiah comes. There are pockets of Jewish people found today in certain places, but what we are talking about is the movement today of people who have been absorbed into Christianity and then they begin to follow Torah. False teachers come along and tell them because they follow the Torah, or are interested, that is a sign that they are really Jewish and part of “Ephraim.” This results in big money for the false teachers and more “followers.” For more information, see the article “Errors in the Two House Theology” on this site), and their heart will be glad as if from wine; indeed, their children will see it and be glad, their heart will rejoice in the Lord (Ephraim will also be mighty men and heroes).
v 8…I will whistle (pipe, caused by the “wind”-Isa 7.18; shepherds “pipe” or whistle for the sheep; A “pierced one” playing a flute would lead the people up to Jerusalem for the festivals; it carries the idea of enticing them; the intention here is to make v 10.6-7 more clear) for them to gather them together, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they were before
v 9…when I scatter (“sow”) them among the peoples, (because) they will remember me in far countries, and they with their children will live and come back (Ezek 37; Hos 6.1-3).
v 10…I will bring them back from the land of Egypt (a type of the land of exile, there is no evidence that Israel had been taken there in large numbers) and gather them from Assyria (Europe and Russia in prophecy-this is the restoration that will ultimately be fulfilled at the end of the Birth-pains-Isa 27.12-13; 19.22-25; 66.18-24); and I will bring them into the land of Gilead (Israel’s eastern border) and Lebanon (the northern border) until no room can be found for them.
v 11…And he will pass through the sea of distress (the nations where they were scattered; like he did at the Red Sea; they thought they were lost) and strike the waves in the sea, so that all the depths of the Nile will dry up (Egypt represents the nations and they will be brought out of the exile); and the pride of Assyria (tyranny) will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart (kingly power in all forms will be cast down).
v 12…And I shall strengthen them in the Lord, and in his name they will walk (the result will be that they will follow the Torah-Isa 2.2; Micah 4.1-4)” says the Lord.
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