Zechariah 10

(1) A Cornerstone will Rescue God’s People

Ask the Existing One to bring rain in the spring—after all, He’s the Existing One who makes the storm clouds. He’ll make it rain and provide vegetation for the people. The family idols have empty words, while the fortune tellers see fake visions and talk about meaningless dreams. All their comforting is in vain. That’s why the people wander around like troubled sheep who don’t have a shepherd. 

“I’m mad at the shepherds, and I’ll punish the goats leading the flock. The Existing One of all creation has visited His flock (Judah), and I’ll make them like My majestic battle horse.

“The cornerstone will come from Judah. He’ll be the tent stake, the war bow, the total ruler—all of those things wrapped into one.

“Judah’s people will be like mighty men, trampling down the enemy in the muddy streets during war. They’ll fight, because the Existing One will be with them. The horse riders will be put to shame.

“I’ll strengthen Judah’s family and save Joseph’s family. I’ll bring them back, because I love them deeply. It will be like I never even rejected them, because I am the Existing One, their God, and I’ll respond to them.

“Ephraim [an Israelite tribe] will be like a bodybuilder, and their heart will be as happy as someone who drank too much wine. Yes, their children will be glad when they see these things taking place. Let them celebrate the Existing One in their hearts.

“I’ll whistle to gather them together, because I rescued them by paying their ransom. They’ll become as powerful as they were before. When I scatter them throughout the world, they’ll memorialize Me in distant countries. As they do, they and their children will have life in those countries before eventually coming back. Yes, I’ll bring them back from Egypt and Assyria. I’ll bring them back to the region of Gilead [modern-day Israel] and Lebanon [north of Israel] until they occupy all the space there and there isn’t any room left. They’ll pass through the sea of distress, and He [the cornerstone] will strike the sea’s surface and the depths of the Nile will dry up. Assyria’s majesty will be taken down and Egypt’s scepter will be taken away. I’ll strengthen them in the Existing One, and they’ll walk in His glorious reputation.” 

The Existing One says.