Zechariah 10: Christ Shames Riders, Raises Ephraim in Body & Spirit

Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, North Dakota, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Zechariah 10. “The people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.” The previous chapter flows seamlessly into Zechariah 10, but the emphasis on the rulers and “shepherds” of Israel becomes even more prominent. These words seem to anticipate the Maccabean Revolt, but their greater fulfillment is found in Christ. Christ had compassion on the people and made them lie down in green pastures to feed the five thousand. He is “the Good Shepherd” and “the Lamb” who defeats the horsemen of Zechariah and Revelation in spiritual warfare. Only Christ’s kingdom combines physical and spiritual restoration in the resurrection. Focused on Christ we will not be led astray to either extreme.