In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said, “Ask you of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field”, and in chapter ten and verse two of Zechariah, Zechariah said, “for the idols have spoken vanity” where we read,
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie,
and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain:
therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled because there was no shepherd.
The verse reads, “For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “for the idols” or “because, since and on account that the images, teraphim and false objects of reverence” “have spoken vanity” which means “have uttered, declared, promised and proclaimed trouble, wickedness and sorrow”, “and the diviners” or “and the prohibited soothsayers and ones who practice divination” “have seen a lie” which means “have perceived, beheld, had a vision of and gazed at deception, disappointment, fraud, wrong and falsehood”. Zechariah shared how false “idols” proclaimed trouble and wickedness, and those who practice divination observed falsehood.
The verse continues, “and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain:” Zechariah added the words, “and have told false dreams” or “and have uttered, declared, promised and proclaimed empty, vain and worthless imageries and trifles”; “they comfort in vain” which means “they, the idols and diviners, have pity, console and have compassion in emptiness or vanity”. Zechariah shared how the “diviners” spoke with empty imageries, and both the “diviners” and the false “idols” provided empty pity and compassion.
Finally the verse says, “therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled because there was no shepherd.” Zechariah concluded this verse with the words, “therefore they went their way” or “wherefore, then and on this account they, the people of Israel, journeyed, set forward, departed and marched” “as a flock” which means “similar and in likeness to a group or multitude of small cattle, sheep or goats”, “they were troubled” or “they, the people of Israel, existed as afflicted, oppressed, humbled and bowed down” “because there was no shepherd” which means “since and on account that there existed not any teacher, companion, associate or ruler who leads”. Zechariah ended this verse by sharing how the people of Israel journeyed forward similar to a “group of small cattle” that were without a “shepherd” or leader.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how the people of Israel relied upon their “idols”and “diviners” to lead them into their future and to bring “comfort” to their souls. However, their false images only produced trouble and wickedness, and the people who practiced divination declared falsehoods and deceptions that lead to empty “dreams” and worthless pity. They became wanderers who were lost in their way like “sheep without a shepherd” because they had no true leader to guide them. This is not the way God wanted it to be for them, and He doesn't want it that way for us. He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins so we can be forgiven of our sins and receive everlasting life from Him. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth when we surrender to Him. Let us give up our idols, put away all false divination and rely upon Jesus Christ who alone is able to bring us true comfort and guidance for this life. (See Acts 15:14)
Next time Zechariah shares how Jehovah God says, “my anger was kindled against the shepherds”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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