Zechariah pictured what happened when the leaders among God's people failed to do their job. When those who were supposed to teach and lead the people of God were evil the people were scattered as sheep without a shepherd. (Zechariah 10:1-2) The leaders of Israel would be punished for allowing God's people to be mislead. When Jesus was upon earth He found the same spiritual condition. "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."  (Matthew 9:36) It was prophesied that the true leader of God's people would come out of Judah. The one that would come from Judah and rule His people was called (1) the chief corner, (2) the tent peg, (3) the battle bow, and (4) the ruler who is over all. Jesus is clearly identified as the chief corner stone. "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Ephesians 2:20) Jesus is the tent peg or nail that holds everything together. Paul wrote, "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:17) The Messiah is the battle bow and He will not by defeated by any. He has power over all flesh. "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." (John 17:2) He gives other rulers their power. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (Romans 13:1)

       God promised to bring home the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. He would answer their prayers and show mercy unto them because He is God. God would be so good to them that they would forget they had been in captivity. Ephraim or Israel was again promised God's favor and blessings. The ten tribes would be part of the group that God redeemed at Jerusalem. Most of the Jews had been in Babylon during the captivity. Some of them were scattered in different countries. During the time of restoration the Jews would return home from everywhere. The return of the Jews would be so successful that when the scattered Jews returned they would not only inhabit Jerusalem but also places like Gilead and Lebanon. Those that had smitten the Jews during the seventy years of captivity would now face the consequences of their own sins. Any strength that the Jews had upon the return would be strength from the Lord.

          Wicked leaders among the Jews -- Zechariah 10:1-3: Zechariah addressed the problem of corrupt and evil leadership. There is hope that things could be and should be better following the restoration from exile. The blessings were available to the people if the people would ask God for rain and for His daily blessings. The people should recognize by now that idols can do nothing. God can give the latter rains that produce green grass. Divine blessing are available to those who will surrender to God. In the past the people had continued in rebellion against God even though He is the one who makes the clouds and the rain. The leaders of God's people must move the nation in a better direction than did the evil leaders in past generations when the he goats lead the sheep to slaughter. Among those leaders would be good men like Zerubbabel, Joshua, Haggai, Nehemiah and Zechariah himself. Poor leadership allowed idols and idols comfort in vain. Illustrations of both sheep and shepherd are use to describe the Messiah in Scripture. While there had been evil shepherds one day God would send the Good Shepherd as Redeemer. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

          Judah needed righteous leaders - -Zechariah 10:4-7: In the first three verses of Zechariah ten the focus had been on the past actions of God's people. Now we are allowed to get a future view of good things for the people of God. After their return from Babylon things did improve for Israel. However, this was a faint look at what awaited with the coming of the Messiah. The house of Judah would become that godly horse that God could ride into battle. This is very similar to when God said, "When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man." (Zechariah 9:13) One was coming from Judah that would be (1) the chief corner, (2) the peg or strong hook upon which all the hope of the future was suspended, (3) the battle bow, and (4) the ruler who is over all. God had compassion for the Jews and accepted them again as if they had never been rejected. Judah and Israel came together as God's flock. It is through this flock of God that the great Shepherd, King would be born into the earth. Without this we could have no salvation.

          God redeeming the people -- Zechariah 10:8-10: God promised to call Israel out of captivity. Many of the Jews were in captivity in Babylon and others were scattered among the nations. The number of people that was brought back would continue to increase. People were brought back out of the land of Egypt and gathered out of Assyria. This is the remnant that escaped and returned to Judah. One way that God blessed Judah was to repopulate the land which had been depleted by captivity. God promised that Assyria would be humbled and Judah would prosper. The regathering process began when God hissed or whistled for His people, whose ears were tuned to Him to return. This is a beautiful picture of the seed of Abraham responding to the call of God. They had been scattered because of sin. When they heard God whistle they gathered back with other Jews now under the care of God. Israel could be made alive as God renewed her hope. Like a seed dying and then coming alive, Israel as a dead nation would be made alive by the power of God. God would bring so many Jews back that there would be an overflow in the land of promise, so much so that many would overflow into Gilead and to Lebanon.

          God strengthened His people -- Zechariah 10:11-12: God used events of the past where it was obvious that He was blessing the Jews to again say that He would be there to bless them. God promised that He would be with His people as they go through an ocean of trouble. He promised that He would overcome the waves and dry up the deepest part of the Nile for their benefit. Most surprising of all He promised that Assyria's great pride would be put down, and the power of Egypt would disappear. God said, "I will strengthen my people because of who I am, and they will follow me. I, the LORD, have spoken!" This was an incredible glimpse into the future for Zechariah and for the people of his day. The psalmist wrote, "For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth." (Psalms 74:12) The redemption will be complete and God's people "will walk up and down in His name."