The Whistle That Gathers The Elect!

As we enter Zechariah 10 we become fully aware that the Messianic rule has not yet come for the people of God (10: 1– 2).  The prophet starts with a clear rebuke to the current leadership and a promise of a new leader.   Under the new improved leadership (10: 3b) there will be a change in the community (10: 3b– 5) as exiles return (10: 6– 12).  In the opening verses (“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. The idols speak deceitfully, 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.” (Zechariah 10:1–2, NIV)) there is a veiled rebuke also to those who fail to turn to God but rather have turned to Baal who is thought to be the god who controls the weather and rain.  Even though there is a prophecy of a Messianic kingdom, God's people are called to pray for rain. This is an important lesson that prophecy ought to fuel our prayers and not render them unnecessary.

"Spiritually, the cause of the Babylonian captivity was idol worship in Israel (cf. 2 Kin. 17:6–23). The “shepherds” and the “goatherds” both symbolize the civil rulers of the nations who persecuted Israel (cf. Ezek. 34)." [1] The metaphor changes and through this new leader the flock becomes an invincible army.  Of this new leader it is said “From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler. Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets. They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.” (Zechariah 10:4–5, NIV).  "In verse 4 a series of staccato bursts reveals God’s provision for his people. The Hebrew text simply reads:

• From him, the corner; 
• From him, the peg; 
• From him, the battle bow; 
• From him, going forth, every ruler together. 

As with the final line of 10: 3, so here the antecedent of “him” is most likely the Lord Almighty." [2] Some think these describe the new leaders in Judah, but this is probably another Messianic prophecy of our Lord.  This is "another reference to the Messiah (cf. 9:13; Rev. 19:11–16), under whose authority every ruler will be sanctioned.' [3]

In verses 6-12, The final regathering prior to the establishment of the messianic kingdom is in view. What is remarkable in this description is found in verse 6: ““I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.” The tribes of Joseph are clearly the northern tribes. "This restoration will extend beyond Judah to include the house of Joseph, the northern kingdom, which was scattered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C." [4]  Because these so-called lost tribes of Israel are mentioned here we now become certain as to the time frame of this restoration.  There are clear signals in the New Testament that the regathering of all Israel is fulfilled in the Church (Acts 26:7).  Jesus claims that the apostles will rule with him on thrones over the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19: 28; Luke 22 :30). It is not odd, then, for the writer of James to address the churches who received his document as the “twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (James 1: 1). In Revelation 21: 12– 14 the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the gates of the holy city, the new Jerusalem. [see 5].

Not only that, this restoration will be perfect. ““I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.” (Zechariah 10:6, NIV). "The restoration from exile prefigures final salvation and life in Christ (John 6:35; 14:6)." [6]  "This will be the realization of the New Covenant (cf. Jer 31:31–34)." [7]

One final thought on this chapter.  This restoration occurs by the simple and effectual whistle of God. ““I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them . . ..” (Zechariah 10:8a, ESV). God's effectual call will go out and His Elect will come.  “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37, NIV).

Even so come Lord Jesus.  We know Your plans but we do not know the day or the hour.  So we pray, Send the rain, Father.  Send the rain.  Bring refreshment to Your Church.  Come in the power of the Word dressed in white sitting upon a white steed.  Come and bring justice and righteousness to this thirsty land.  Rend the heavens and restore Your people.  Gather Your Elect from every nation and every tribe and tongue.  Fill Your Church, the true Twelve Tribes of Israel with Your glory.  By Your Spirit cause us to lift up our heads and await the salvation of the Lord.  Praise God!

 

 

 

 

 

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1.  Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zec 10:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
2. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8675-8680). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
3. The MacArthur Study Bible. 1997 (J. MacArthur, Jr., Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1351). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
4. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (1764). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
5. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8848-8863). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
6. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (1764). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
7. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1829). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

To Obey Is To Believe. To Believe Is To Obey

"This is the true meaning of becoming a Christian, even to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by the works of the law." [1]

“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15–16, NIV)

This affirmation of the Gospel does not reject good works, but it places them in the proper order and sequence.  Luther tells a parable:

"This bridegroom must be alone with the bride in his secret chamber, all the servants and family being put apart. But afterwards,. when he openeth the door and cometh forth, then let the servants and handmaidens return, to fulfil their ministry. There let charity do her office, and let good works be done." [1]

Now Paul writes,"So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus" that we might be saved.  The ESV translates this “. . . so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ . . . ”  The Greek text is καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν; or also we on Christ Jesus believed.   This is the essence of Christianity.  “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”” (John 3:14–15, NIV)

The question raised by this text is, "What does it mean to believe?" John writes in the 3rd chapter of his Gospel:   ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

True to Hebrew literature, John’s Gospel is structured a lot in parallelisms. This helps us understand his meaning; and more importantly, the meaning of the Holy Spirit.  Note the parallel ideas:

(+) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;

(-) Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life . . ..

John equates belief with obedience.  Some translations use the word reject instead of obey, but that is an inaccurate interpretation of the Greek.  The word is ἀπειθέω and is clearly used in terms of refusing to comply or obey. Notice how Jesus makes this plain in this encounter:

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”” (Matthew 12:46–50, NIV).

To become a Christian and live as a Christian is defined by Jesus who said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, NIV).

 Father I love You.  Today I desire You more than I normally do.  I thank You for that passion.  I wish I always had such a preeminent affection for You.  I know part of the reason is that "the things of this earth are growing strangely dim." There is a sadness and a struggle in this life that propels me more and more to see my Savior, face-to-face.  You have saved me by Your grace.  You have given to me as a gift a precious faith purchased by Your Son on Calvary.  You have set before me a purpose and ministry in this life.  I thank you for all that because it provides on the horizon an inheritance that will never fade or grow old.  To be with Christ is far better.  But to serve and obey You is also awesome.  Help me today to magnify Jesus in my life.   May my walk of obedience confirm Your calling and choice of me.  For the glory of Christ and the joy of all who love You.  Amen.

Faith is trusting God's goodness sufficiently that it is evidenced by obedience.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.