The Shepherd As Restorer | Zechariah 10:6-12 | Richard Caldwell

Scripture

• Zechariah 10:6–12

About this sermon

God’s jealousy on behalf of Israel, that leads to divine retribution against their enemies, is on display through what God did through Alexander the Great. God judging Syrian cities, cities of Philistia, and coastal cities that were opponents of Israel. God’s strengthening of Israel, that leads to victory over their oppressors, is on display through what God performed during the Maccabean victory over the Greeks. And God’s unconditional promise to shepherd a redeemed Israel, in their land, in fulfillment of the hopes given to their fathers, is on display in a six-fold description of how God will shepherd them in and through His Son in a future kingdom. Last time we looked at five of the ways that God presents Himself as Israel’s shepherd, and by doing so, calls Zechariah’s generation to seek Him NOW in view of these future promises. I. THE SHEPHERD AS SAVIOR (9:14-17) II. THE SHEPHERD AS PROVIDER (10:1) III. THE SHEPHERD AS GUIDE (10:1-2) IV. THE SHEPHERD AS DEFENDER (10:3a) V. THE SHEPHERD AS STRENGTH GIVER (10:3b-6a) 1. THE MESSIAH IS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL THAT GOD WILL PROVIDE 2. THE MESSIAH IS THE CENTER FOR ALL THAT GOD WILL PROVIDE 3. THE MESSIAH IS THE STRENGTH FOR ALL THAT GOD WILL PROVIDE 4. THE MESSIAH IS THE SOURCE FOR ALL THAT GOD WILL PROVIDE Now, as we finish this chapter, we see the shepherd as Israel’s restorer. VI. THE SHEPHERD AS RESTORER (10:6b-12) A great day of salvation is coming for Israel. ESV Romans 11:25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob"; 27 "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." 28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. In general terms, there are three main sections within these verses. As commentators have pointed out you could describe what the Lord says He will do in these three ways. HE WILL RESTORE THEM PHYSICALLY (vs.6-7) HE WILL RESTORE THEM SPIRITUALLY (vs.8-9) HE WILL ESTABLISH THEM PERMANENTLY (vs.10-12) But what I would like to do tonight is to examine these verses under two main headings. I would like to consider what these verses say by hearing what our God says Israel will be, and how He explains Why Israel will be. I want to do it this way because in each of the three sections there are aspects of what God says that He will do that are repeated. A. WHAT ISRAEL WILL BE To say it another way, in what ways does God promise to be Israel’s restorer? How will her shepherd restore her? 1. A UNITED PEOPLE (vs.6) After Solomon’s death, as you know, Israel divided into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom and the southern kingdom. Judah is the southern kingdom, and Joseph refers to the northern kingdom. What you find most often in the Old Testament is the northern kingdom being identified with Ephraim, who was Joseph’s son. But in this case, it is Joseph who represents the northern kingdom.

Topics

• Leadership