Zechariah: Six Promises from God to His People

God’s plan for Israel stands on an irrevocable promise. Romans 11 says that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, and then all Israel will be saved. God’s gifts and calling cannot be changed, because nothing in heaven or on earth can ever change the will of God. Israel will come through severe devastation under the antichrist, through the time of Jacob’s trouble and Armageddon, until every delusion that the kingdom can be brought in by human strength is swept away.

Zechariah 10 gives six divine promises to Israel, and every one of them rests on the faithfulness of God. Christ comes first as the cornerstone. He holds up the walls of Israel, and He gives believers a foundation that is sure when storms rage and the devil does his utmost to destroy. Christ also comes as the tent peg, the nail fastened in a sure place, on whom all the glory and splendor of God’s kingdom rests. Christ comes as the battle bow, the great conqueror who gives victory over every enemy.

God promises divine rain in the kingdom. The dry land of Israel will blossom, streams will break out in the desert, and the wilderness will become like Eden. God’s showers of blessing will not be destructive rain, but controlled, gentle, ample rain that makes everything grow.

God also promises to judge false gods and corrupt shepherds. Israel wandered like sheep because false leaders drove the people into idolatry and the occult. Yet the Lord of hosts cares for His flock, and Christ will turn helpless sheep into a majestic battle horse. Israel will be strengthened, restored north and south as one nation, and treated as though God had never rejected her. Jehovah remains the covenant-keeping God who fulfills what He promised.

God will whistle, or play the pipe, for His scattered people, and they will come home. Like sheep gathering around the shepherd’s pipe, redeemed Israel will return with her children from every far country. God will make His people strong in Himself so that they walk in His name.

The voices of the world still call for allegiance. Christ’s sheep hear His voice. God calls His children to reject second best, stand on the Word of God, make wise choices, and await the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.

##

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s calling cannot be revoked God’s covenant with Israel does not rest on Israel’s strength, faithfulness, or ability to repair its own condition. God says His gifts and calling are irrevocable, and that means His purposes cannot be overturned by history, rebellion, or opposition. The same faithfulness gives solid ground to every believer whose hope rests in Christ rather than in changing circumstances. [32:52]
• 2. Christ is the sure foundation Christ is the cornerstone when life feels unstable and the storms rage. Christ is also the tent peg on which every precious thing in God’s kingdom hangs. Faith does not rest on sinking sand when it rests on the One who holds up the walls. [38:30]
• 3. God’s blessing is never careless God’s promised rain pictures abundance without destruction, provision without chaos, and life overflowing in the places that were dry. God does not merely send enough grace to keep a soul alive; He cultivates what He intends to make fruitful. The controlled rain of God reveals a Father who knows exactly what His children need. [48:31]
• 4. False voices always scatter sheep False gods promise comfort but utter nonsense, and false shepherds offer direction while leading people into bondage. Every voice seeking allegiance apart from Christ eventually pulls the heart away from its true Shepherd. Christ calls His people to test the voices around them and to hear the voice that leads into righteousness, holiness, and grace. [65:04]
• 5. The Shepherd gathers His scattered people God does not forget people scattered in far countries or hearts pulled far away by fear and compromise. The image of the pipe calling sheep back to their shepherd shows the tenderness and authority of God’s redeeming call. Christ gathers His own, restores them, and teaches them to walk in His name.
  
  ## [61:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:29] - The Good Father and Zechariah 10
• [30:42] - God’s Plan for Israel in Romans 11
• [35:16] - Israel’s Future Tribulation and Salvation
• [37:32] - Six Irrevocable Promises
• [37:44] - Christ the Cornerstone, Tent Peg, and Battle Bow
• [44:54] - Divine Rain and Showers of Blessing
• [50:34] - Judgment on False Gods and Shepherds
• [55:05] - Israel Strengthened for Battle
• [59:05] - God Gathers His Scattered People
• [63:32] - Divine Restoration and Strength
• [64:42] - Hearing the Shepherd Above Worldly Voices
• [67:33] - Stand Firm and Await Christ’s Appearing

Bible Reading

Zechariah 10:1-12
“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. 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. "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. From him shall come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler—all of them together. 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. "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. 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. "I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return. 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. 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. I will make them strong in the LORD, and they shall walk in his name," declares the LORD.” [29:54]

Romans 11:25-29
“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. 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"; "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” [30:42]

Isaiah 35:1-2, 6-7
“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.” [46:24]

Observation questions

1. In Romans 11:25–29, what two realities are held together about Israel: a present partial hardening and God’s future saving purpose? [31:38]
2. In Zechariah 10:4, what three pictures are used for the coming Messiah, and what does each picture emphasize about His work? [37:55]
3. According to Zechariah 10:1 and Isaiah 35, what changes are promised for dry and desert places when God sends His rain? [46:35]
4. In Zechariah 10:2–3, what kinds of voices and leaders caused God’s people to wander, and how does the Lord describe His care for His flock? [50:34]

Interpretation questions

1. Romans 11 calls God’s gifts and calling “irrevocable.” How does that truth explain why Israel’s restoration depends on God’s covenant faithfulness rather than Israel’s ability to rescue itself? [32:52]
2. Christ is described as the cornerstone, tent peg, and battle bow. How do these images show that Christ is not merely part of God’s kingdom, but the One who supports, holds together, and defends it? [39:00]
3. God’s promised rain brings abundance without destruction. What does this reveal about the way God gives blessing, provision, and growth to His people? [48:31]
4. Zechariah contrasts false gods and corrupt shepherds with the Lord who gathers and strengthens His flock. Why do false voices often seem appealing at first, yet leave people scattered and spiritually weak? [51:14]

Application questions

1. Where does life feel unstable or stormy right now? What would it look like in that specific situation to build on Christ as the sure cornerstone instead of relying on fear, control, or changing circumstances? [39:18]
2. What “precious things” in life—such as identity, future plans, relationships, security, or reputation—need to be more firmly hung on Christ, the tent peg in a sure place? [40:51]
3. God’s blessing is like gentle, ample rain that cultivates growth rather than destroys. Where is there a dry place in life that needs God’s patient care, and how can someone make room this week for His Word and prayer to nourish it? [48:41]
4. What voices currently seek allegiance—media, success, comfort, approval, political fear, spiritual substitutes, or something else? How can their messages be tested against the voice of Christ and His Word? [01:04:54]
5. Is there an area where “second best” has become tempting because it promises quick comfort, acceptance, or control? What would choosing Christ’s best look like in a practical decision this week? [01:09:15]
6. God gathers scattered sheep and makes them strong in Himself so they can walk in His name. Is there someone who seems scattered, discouraged, or far from God who could be lovingly encouraged this week? [01:03:02]