Introduction: This chapter presents three things that are direct results of the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. However, verse one is closely connected with the preceding chapter to illustrate that they run very parallel in timing and meaning. The last verse of chapter nine refers to the corn and new wine, which is made possible by the latter rain of verse one. The latter rain is a term for the showers that fall in Palestine in March and April,which are so indispensable to the maturing of crops and grain. Because of the prophetic nature of the book there is undoubtedly a second application which would characterize the "latter rain" as spiritual refreshment. The great outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28) in answer to prayer (Zech. 10:1) from the lips of the Jewish saints,is the realization of it. (See Hosea 6:1-3).

I. THE CURE OF THE NATION'S DECEPTION (10:2-4):

A. The types of Israel's deception -

[1]. Idols - Israel had a long history of trouble with idols (Gen. 31:19,84; 1 Sam. 15:23; 11 Kings 23:24). Even though they were expressly forbidden by the Lord.
[2]. Diviners - "...have seen a lie, and have told false dreams...." A diviner is one who practices divination or the art of obtaining secret or illegitimate knowledge of the future by methods employed in paganistic religions and which are at variance with the scripture. It is completely occult in nature
(Num. 23:23; Deut. 18:10; II Kings 17:17).

B. The result of Israel's deception -

[1]. They have gone their own way like a flock of sheep without a shepherd
(vs. 2).
[2]. They were in constant trouble (vs. 2)
[3]. Their oppressors are punished (vs. 3)
[4]. Eventual restoration and victory over their oppressors (vs. 3; Rev. 19:11).

C. The cure of Israel's deception -

[1]. Messiah the cornerstone (vs. 4) (Isa. 28:15,16; Rom. 9:32,33; I Cor. 1:23).
[2]. Messiah the nail (vs. 4). (Isa. 22:23).
[3]. Messiah the battlebow (vs. 4). (Ps. 45:5,6).

 

II. THE NATION'S TRIUMPH OVER ITS FOES (10:5-7):

A. The Lord promises to be with His people (vs. 5). (Joel 2:1-11) -

B. The Lord promises to empower and to repatriate His people (vs.. 6,7) -

"Ephraim shall be like a mighty man and shall rejoice" as Judah, demonstrates that the great body of people in the Northern kingdom,will share in the grand restoration (Isa. 11:10-16; Jer. 30:3; 33:7).

 

III. THE FULL RESTORATION OF THE NATION (10:8-12):

A. The Lord will gather Israel out of its worldwide dispersion (vs. 8,9) -

The prophet makes comment about the increase of Israel. The past two centuries in particular have witnessed a tremendous increase in the world's population of Jews, from not more than three million at the beginning of the 18th century to about sixteen million at present, despite the millions put to death by Adolph Hitler.

B. The Lord will bring Israel back into their own land (vs. 10) -

Gilead and Lebanon are listed to show the larger confines of Palestine embracing the full territory promised under the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 15:18). (See Isa. 49:20,21; 49:22; 54:1-3).

C. The Lord will remove every obstacle in the way of Israel's full restoration and deliverance (vs. 11)

D. The Lord will effect Israel's complete spiritual renovation (vs. 12)