Zechariah

Zechariah 10: The LORD gathers His redeemed flock

Begin in prayer

Before we read of the flock without a shepherd, please bring our family to the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to show us how He gathers the people He has redeemed.

I will set up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking,” says Yahweh.

Jeremiah 23:4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You gather and strengthen the flock You have redeemed, and help us to see Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD tells His people to ask Him for rain in the spring, for He makes the storm clouds and gives showers to everyone. Idols and diviners speak lies and false dreams, so the people wander like sheep with no shepherd. The LORD’s anger is kindled against the shepherds, because He has visited His flock, the house of Judah. He will make His flock strong in battle, because the LORD is with them. He will strengthen Judah and save Joseph, and bring them back, and have mercy on them as though He had never cast them off. He will signal for them and gather them, because He has redeemed them. Though He sows them among the peoples, they will remember Him in far countries, and He will bring them home.

As you read Zechariah 10, look for the answers:

• Who gives rain, and what do idols and diviners give? (verses 1 and 2)
• Who is the LORD angry with, and whom has He visited? (verse 3)
• Why will the LORD gather His people? (verse 8)

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD is angry with the shepherds, and He gathers and strengthens the flock He has redeemed.

The chapter opens with a plain instruction to ask the LORD for rain in the spring (verse 1). The crops depended on that rain, and the LORD alone makes the storm clouds and gives the showers (verse 1). Idols and diviners had given the people lies and false dreams, and their comfort was empty (verse 2). So the people wandered like sheep with no shepherd (verse 2). The LORD’s anger is kindled against the shepherds, who should have led them (verse 3). He has visited His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them strong in battle (verse 3). He promises to strengthen Judah and save Joseph, because He has mercy on them (verse 6). He will signal for them and gather them, because He has redeemed them (verse 8). They are scattered among the peoples, yet they will remember Him there and return with their children (verse 9).

How does Zechariah 10 show us that the LORD is angry with the shepherds, and that He gathers and strengthens the flock He has redeemed?

The LORD gives rain, and idols and false dreams give only lies.

The LORD says to ask Him for rain in the spring (verse 1). He makes the storm clouds, and gives showers to everyone for the plants in the field. Idols and diviners had spoken lies and told false dreams, and they comfort in vain (verse 2). Only the LORD can give His people what they need.

The LORD is angry with the shepherds and visits His flock.

The people go their way like sheep, because they have no shepherd (verse 2). The LORD’s anger is kindled against the shepherds, who should have led them (verse 3). Then He visits His flock, the house of Judah (verse 3). Jesus said that He is the good shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10 verse 11).

The LORD will gather and strengthen the people He has redeemed.

The LORD says He will strengthen Judah and save Joseph, and bring them back (verse 6). He has mercy on them, and they will be as though He had not cast them off. He says, “I will signal for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them” (verse 8). Though He sows them among the peoples, they will remember Him in far countries (verse 9). He will strengthen them, and they will walk up and down in His name (verse 12).

Memorise

I will signal for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they will increase as they have increased.

Zechariah 10:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I following instead of the LORD, and why do I need Jesus?

The people wandered like sheep with no shepherd, and the LORD said, “I will signal for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them.” Jesus said that He is the good shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10 verse 11).

A shepherd who lays down his life pays a price. Jesus gave His life for His sheep on the cross, and He bore the sin of His people there. His sacrifice left nothing missing, and the Father raised Him from the grave.

If you have wandered, come back to the Shepherd. Turn from your sin and trust Him. Forgiveness waits for every wanderer who comes to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus is the good shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for gathering and strengthening the flock He has redeemed, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?

Luke 15:4

Lord God, thank You that You gather those who wander. Thank You for Jesus, the good shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. Please lead each one of us to turn from sin and trust Him, and help us to follow Him this week. Amen.