 Ask rain from the Lord
in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field. 2 For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd. 3 “My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the Lord of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle. 4 From him shall come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler—all of them together. 5 They shall be like mighty men in battle, trampling the foe in the mud of the streets; they shall fight because the Lord is with them, and they shall put to shame the riders on horses. 6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them. 7 Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior, and their hearts shall be glad as with wine. Their children shall see it and be glad; their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord. 8 “I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. 9 Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return. 10 I will bring them home from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria, and I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, till there is no room for them. 11 He shall pass through the sea of troubles and strike down the waves of the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall be dried up. The pride of Assyria shall be laid low, and the scepter of Egypt shall depart. 12 I will make them strong in the Lord, and they shall walk in his name,” declares the Lord. Meditation The Lord’s compassion compels Him to lead as a shepherd. Jesus looked out over the hungry crowds and had compassion because “they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). As the good shepherd (John 10:10-15) Jesus gathers, feeds, guards, and leads. Israel was scattered among the nations, harassed and helpless in exile. The Lord’s promise to restore His kingdom (Zechariah 9) is specified in leading Israel safely to the green pastures of His promised blessings. “I will bring them back because I have compassion on them,” says the Lord (6). The people were afflicted for lack of faithful shepherds (2). God’s anger burned hot against the selfish shepherds leading His people (3) and promised to remove the imposters (4), defeat enemies (6), and return His scattered people to safety (7-11), to securely walk in God’s name (12). God’s compassion compels Him to faithfully execute His covenant promises. The scattered people of God longed for rain (and other covenant blessings- 1). God alone provides the blessings Israel desires (1) and God alone gives the victory Israel needs (7). Today Christians long for security, hope, and love. Jesus still has compassion and stands willing to provide what we need. Jesus is our good shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). Jesus went into exile to give forgiveness and grace for believers to respond to His compassion and follow Him. Richly Dwelling -What in this chapter stands out to you about the Lord’s shepherding heart? -Why is it significant the Lord has compassion on His people, scattered like sheep without a shepherd? -How does this point to Jesus as your Good Shepherd and compel you to look to Him for what your heart longs for and what your life needs? Key verses 6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them. WEEK'S LINKS ARE BACK!... HERE Comments are closed.
|