WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF EXILE & RETURN: A TIME TO BUILD LESSON 22
- Humans are able to repent because of God’s goodness
- Life is out of God’s grace when we all deserve judgment
- We can rest in God despite the chaos around us
- God is in the ordinary
Category: BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026
Welcome to AtoZMom’s BSF Blog! BSF International, or Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)’s study of Exile & Return: A Time to Build is a study of the Old Testament where we will see how God’s people are called to build His kingdom in a foreign land. We will study several books in the Bible, including Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah, and Malachi, and study some of the best characters in the Bible, such as Daniel, Ester, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Follow this free Bible study online today!
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 5: Zechariah 14:10-21
Summary of Zechariah 14:10-21
Jerusalem will be raised up high and inhabited. The Lord will send a plague on Jerusalem’s enemies. Their flesh will rot, and they will fight against each other. Their animals will face a similar fate.
All nations’ inhabitants who have survived will go up year after year to worship the Lord and celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If they do not, they will receive no rain, and they will face a plague. Everything will become holy to God.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 5: Zechariah 14:10-21
13) The Lord will send a plague on Jerusalem’s enemies. Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, their tongues will rot in their mouth, and they will fight against each other. Their animals will face a similar fate. He will gather the wealth of the surrounding nations for His people. All nations’ inhabitants who have survived will go up year after year to worship the Lord and celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If they do not, they will receive no rain, and they will face a plague.
14a) All nations’ inhabitants who have survived will go up year after year to worship the Lord and celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If they do not, they will receive no rain, and they will face a plague. Life in God’s kingdom is centered on universal worship. Former enemies must journey annually to Jerusalem to honor the King at the Feast of Tabernacles. It is a reality of absolute lordship: obedience brings refreshing rain, while refusal brings drought and plague, ensuring every nation acknowledges God’s supreme reign.
b) The inscription “Holy to the Lord” will mark even common horse bells, erasing the sacred-secular divide and rendering every ordinary activity as holy as temple worship.
c) We withhold His influence by compartmentalizing life—labeling career, entertainment, or finances as “secular” zones off-limits to God. By refusing to consecrate the “mundane”—unlike Zechariah’s vision where even common pots become holy—we deny His lordship over daily choices, keeping parts of our hearts locked against His transforming presence.
15) For those who do not turn to God, their days will be rough. But this is the reality of judgment. God will finally reign supreme everywhere. Everything will be holy. This is wonderful, not exactly challenging!
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 5: Zechariah 14:10-21
I love getting glimpses of what my life will be like in the future. Gives me hope.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 5: Zechariah 14:10-21
Jerusalem will finally be a safe place. All the mountains will be flattened since Jerusalem will have no enemies. Jerusalem will become wealthy again.
Egypt was not dependent on water, but it will face the same punishment as others.
“Holiness to the Lord” was what was inscribed on the metal band on the high priest’s headpiece (Exodus 28:36).
The pots were the cooking utensils used for sacrificial meat. Sacrifices may still be a thing in the millennium, but not for sins.
Everything will be made holy in Jesus’ reign and reflect His purposes.
Zechariah’s entire book points to Christ.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
The Restoration of the City (Verses 10–11)
The Scene: The geography surrounding Jerusalem is flattened into a plain (from Geba to Rimmon), causing Jerusalem to stand high and prominent above the surrounding landscape. The Meaning: This symbolizes the city’s spiritual and political elevation. The curse is permanently lifted (“there shall be no more ban of destruction”), and the city will be inhabited in absolute safety.
The Judgment on the Enemies (Verses 12–15)
The Plague: God strikes the armies that attacked Jerusalem with a terrifying supernatural decay—their flesh, eyes, and tongues rot while they stand on their feet. The Panic: A “great panic from the Lord” seizes them, causing them to turn on one another. The Plunder: The wealth of the surrounding nations (gold, silver, and garments) is gathered in abundance, reversing the earlier plundering of Jerusalem.
The Feast of the King (Verses 16–19)
The Requirement: The survivors from the attacking nations undergo a conversion. They are required to make an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and worship the King, the Lord of hosts. The Consequence: If a nation (e.g., Egypt) refuses to come, they receive “no rain” and suffers the plague. This establishes God’s rule as absolute and enforceable over all global powers.
The Pervasive Holiness (Verses 20–21)
The Bells: The inscription “Holy to the Lord”—which was previously reserved strictly for the golden plate on the High Priest’s turban (Exodus 28:36)—is now engraved on the bells of horses (common animals of war/labor).
The Pots: The ordinary cooking pots in Jerusalem become as sacred as the holy bowls used at the Altar. The Removal of the “Canaanite”: There will no longer be a “Canaanite” (often interpreted here as a merchant/trader or an unclean person) in the house of the Lord. The transactional nature of religion is gone; everything is pure worship.
Conclusion
Zechariah 14:10–21 describes the sanctification of the secular.
The book concludes not just with Israel’s safety, but with the total erasure of the line between the “sacred” and the “common.” In God’s final Kingdom, holiness is not confined to the Temple or the priesthood; it saturates the geography, the economy, and the daily tools of life (horses and pots). The end of history is the presence of God filling all things.
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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 4: Zechariah 14:1-9
Summary of Zechariah 14:1-9
God will gather all the nations of the world to fight against Jerusalem. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations. On this day, God will make a path for His people to escape. It will be a day like no other, with no day or night. Living waters will flow out from Jerusalem, and the Lord shall reign forever as the One, True Lord on earth.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 4: Zechariah 14:1-9
10) All the nations will be gathered against Jerusalem. The city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations. On that day, his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. The people will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. Then the Lord will come, and all the holy ones with him.
11) The Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. There will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. Living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea.
12a) The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day, there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.
b) The Lord can live and rule and reign in my heart each and every day. We don’t have to wait for His physical presence, for we have His spiritual presence. Put Him first today.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 4: Zechariah 14:1-9
I love how God always wins and how He is always in control. He brings enemies against us, but then empowers us to win. So, so good, and a truth many of us need right now in our lives.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 4: Zechariah 14:1-9
This is an End Times prophecy.
Jesus will come with all the saints, the armies of heaven, Revelation 19:14.
Prophecies like this one is part of the reason Israel was looking for a different kind of king than Jesus when he came to earth.
God Himself will be the light.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
The Siege and the Savior (Verses 1–5)
The Crisis: The prophecy opens with a grim scene. God gathers all nations to battle against Jerusalem. The city is captured, plundered, and half the population goes into exile. It appears all hope is lost.
The Intervention: Just when defeat seems total, the Lord Himself goes forth to fight against those nations.
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The Touchdown: His feet stand on the Mount of Olives (east of Jerusalem).
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The Earthquake: The mountain splits in two from east to west, creating a massive valley.
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The Escape: This new valley provides a supernatural escape route for the Jewish people to flee the destruction, just as they fled the earthquake in the days of Uzziah.
The Cosmic Shift (Verses 6–7)
Unique Day: The natural order of the universe changes. There is no longer a distinct “day” or “night,” nor cold or frost. It becomes a time of continuous, supernatural light—”at evening time it shall be light.” This signals the end of the old age and the beginning of a new creation order.
The Living Waters and The King (Verses 8–9)
Life Flows: “Living waters” (a symbol of spiritual life and abundance) flow out from Jerusalem, half to the Dead Sea (East) and half to the Mediterranean (West). Unlike seasonal streams, these flow continuously, in summer and winter.
Universal Rule: The climax of the passage is the establishment of the Kingdom.
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“The Lord will be king over all the earth.”
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Monotheism becomes the global reality: “On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.” All rival gods and idols are eliminated.
Conclusion
Zechariah 14:1–9 depicts the ultimate reversal.
It begins with Jerusalem completely vulnerable and defeated by the nations, but ends with Jerusalem as the source of life for the world and God reigning supreme over those same nations. The passage teaches that God’s final victory often comes at the moment of seemingly greatest defeat. He intervenes personally to rescue His people, alter the physical world, and establish His eternal Kingdom.
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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 3: Zechariah 12:10-13:9
Summary of Zechariah 12:10-13:9
God will pour out a spirit of grace and supplication on His people. They will mourn when they realize they pierced Jesus and grieve. But, the people will be cleansed on that day. Idols will be banished and not remembered. The sheep will scatter when the shepherd is struck. Some of the people. will be struck down, but there will be a remnant who will be God’s people.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 3: Zechariah 12:10-13:9
7a) A spirit of grace and supplication and a fountain that will cleanse the people from their sins and impurity.
b) One has to have a truly repentant heart in order to receive the grace and blood of Jesus and be cleansed of one’s sins. Sorrow over sins is just part of forgiveness and then a renewed desire to do better.
c) Jesus had to die to save all of us because all of us sin.
8 ) Both predict the future national salvation of Israel. Romans promises that “all Israel will be saved” after the Gentile fullness. Zechariah describes the event that fulfills this: God pouring out a spirit of grace, causing the nation to recognize their Messiah (the “pierced one”), mourn in repentance, and receive cleansing. No.
9a) It was in God’s will for Jesus to sacrifice himself for all of humanity. This passage reveals the crucifixion as God’s sovereign plan, not a tragedy. God commands the sword against His “Associate” (Jesus) to strike Him, intentionally scattering the flock to refine a faithful remnant. This mirrors Isaiah 53:10, confirming it “pleased the Lord to crush Him” to secure salvation for His people.
b) God has forgiven all of my sins, each and every day. He has mercifully blessed me and given me a desire to do His will. I have passed this on to my kids so that they, too, can work for God’s kingdom.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 3: Zechariah 12:10-13:9
Great passage of God’s grace through His son, Jesus Christ.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 3: Zechariah 12:10-13:9
God’s grace will allow His people to turn to Jesus.
This is good news, as we learn that all of God’s people will turn to Christ Romans 11:26.
The mourning at Hadad Rimmon refers to the people’s mourning when King Josiah died (2 Kings 23:29 and 2 Chronicles 35:20-25).
Because God’s people will turn to Him through Jesus, they will be cleansed and forgiven of their sins.
The analogy of God as a fountain for His people is common in the Bible.
God will also cleanse His people of idolatry and false prophets, 2 common ways Israel sinned against God and were led astray.
False prophets would be ashamed, and even their family would condemn them.
The Shepherd in verse 7 is Jesus, and God is the one who commands the Shepherd to be struck.
Jesus’ sacrifice was God’s plan, and they worked together to do so.
The sheep will be scattered refers to the disciples. Jesus quoted this phrase from Zechariah 13:7 in Matthew 26:31.
This seems to say that only 1/3 of the Jewish people will survive the Tribulation. Interestingly, this group includes the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and Revelation 14 as Jesus establishes his millennial rule on earth.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
The Spiritual Awakening (12:10)
Following the physical victory, God pours out a “spirit of grace and supplication” upon Jerusalem. This triggers a profound revelation: they will “look on me, the one they have pierced,” recognizing their historical rejection of the Messiah (God Himself).
The National Repentance (12:11–14)
This realization leads to deep, bitter mourning, comparable to the grief over an only child. It is a solemn, segregated sorrow where families mourn privately and separately (men and women apart), indicating that this is a genuine, individual conviction of heart, not just a public ceremony.
The Cleansing from Sin (13:1–6)
In response to this repentance, a “fountain” is opened to cleanse the people from sin and impurity. God ruthlessly purges idolatry and false prophecy from the land. The rejection of deception becomes so intense that false prophets are ashamed of their visions, and even parents would condemn a son who speaks lies in God’s name.
The Shepherd Struck and the Remnant Refined (13:7–9)
God commands the sword to strike “My Shepherd” (the Man who is My Associate), causing the sheep to scatter. This initiates a severe refining process: two-thirds of the land is cut off, while the remaining third is brought through the fire. This refined remnant calls on the Lord, finally restoring the covenant bond: God says, “They are my people,” and they respond, “The Lord is our God.”
Conclusion
While the previous section dealt with physical deliverance, this section details Israel’s spiritual restoration. It demonstrates that true salvation requires recognizing the wounded Messiah, deep repentance, and a painful refining process that ultimately restores the intimate, reciprocal relationship between God and His people.
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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 2: Zechariah 12:1-9
Summary of Zechariah 12:1-9
God promises to defend Jerusalem against its enemies “on that day” when all the nations are against them. Judah will defeat all of its surrounding enemies. All the nations that attack Jerusalem will be destroyed.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 2: Zechariah 12:1-9
3) He says that this is a prophecy (so it will come true). He describes the ultimate power of God, who created all of the earth, heavens, and mankind. He is in control.
4) This refers to Jesus’ Second Coming
5)
The key places: The key places are Judah and Jerusalem, the two places where the Final Battle will be and where Jesus will establish his kingdom on earth. Jerusalem is the epicenter, described as an immovable “heavy stone” and a “cup of reeling.” Judah (the countryside) acts as the “firepot,” saved first, so the capital cannot boast superiority.
The circumstances of the battle: Judah’s enemies are coming against them. A massive coalition of “all the nations of the earth” surrounds Jerusalem to lay siege. The city faces imminent destruction from a united, global military force intent on removing it.
The Lord’s response and the outcome of the battle: God will punish His people’s enemies all those who attack His people. God strikes the enemy armies with panic and blindness while supernaturally empowering His people. Judah consumes the nations like fire, ensuring Jerusalem remains intact while the attackers are destroyed.
God’s relationship to His people and personal interest in the world: God will save His people as a testimony to His promises to them. God reveals Himself as the sovereign Creator who forms the human spirit. He is intimately vigilant (“I will keep a watchful eye”), defending the weak and fiercely validating His covenant bond.
6) Always, I find the strength deep within that can only come from God when I face opposition or challenges in my life.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 2: Zechariah 12:1-9
I love Biblical prophecy! So powerful!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 22, Day 2: Zechariah 12:1-9
The book of Zechariah offers the best description of the End Times in the Old Testament.
Fun Fact: Jerusalem is the most named location in the Bible, mentioned over 800 times. Here, Jerusalem is mentioned more than 20 times in Zechariah 12-14. Jerusalem is special, indeed.
“On that day” refers to the End Times. You’ll also see it as “the day of the Lord” elsewhere.
God will protect Jerusalem against all of her enemies.
God will supernaturally empower His people in those days to overcome their enemies.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
The Siege and the Defense (Verses 1–4)
God declares Himself the Creator of the heavens and the human spirit, establishing His absolute authority. He prophesies that Jerusalem will become a “cup of drunkenness” and a “heavy stone” to all surrounding nations. When the nations of the earth gather to lay siege against Jerusalem, they will only hurt themselves (intoxicated/staggering and physically crushed), while God strikes their armies with panic and blindness.
The Victory of Judah (Verses 5–8)
The leaders of Judah will recognize that their strength comes solely from the Lord. God will make these clans like a “firepot in a woodpile,” consuming their enemies on all sides. Crucially, the Lord will save the “tents of Judah” (the countryside/common people) first, before the house of David (the royalty/city), to ensure no class or group can boast over another.
The Empowerment (Verse 8)
On that day, God will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem so supernaturally that even the weakest among them will be as strong as King David, and the house of David will be like God Himself (like the Angel of the Lord) in leadership and power.
Conclusion
Zechariah 12:1–9 establishes that the physical deliverance of Israel in the end times will be an exclusively divine act. It serves to humble human pride and demonstrate God’s zeal for His covenant people. The victory is designed so that the glory belongs to God alone, not to military prowess or political strategy.
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Friday’s Digest BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF EXILE & RETURN: A TIME TO BUILD LESSON 21
- God’s plans are what unfold in your life
- God uses others to render His justice
- Christ brings salvation and judgment
- Jesus is the centerpiece of God’s redemptive plan for us
- We are to put Jesus and God at the center of our lives
- Surrender to Jesus in everything you do
- God is always doing more than what we know
- We can always trust Him
TAKE AWAY: Only Jesus can solve humanity’s sins.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Days 4 and 5: Zechariah 11
Summary of Zechariah 11
“Open your doors, O Lebanon,” for judgment falls on the leaders. The Lord commands Zechariah to “pasture the flock marked for slaughter.” He takes two staffs, Favor and Union, but the flock detests him. He breaks Favor, annulling the covenant. Upon asking for wages, they weigh out “thirty pieces of silver,” which he throws to the potter. He then breaks Union, dissolving the brotherhood, leaving them to a “worthless shepherd” who deserts the flock.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21 Days 4 and 5: Zechariah 11
9) The poetry depicts a devastating fire sweeping from the north, devouring Lebanon’s majestic cedars and Bashan’s oaks. These trees symbolize Israel’s pride and powerful leaders. The “wailing of shepherds” and “roaring of lions” reveal that the nation’s rulers are being stripped of their power, signaling the total collapse of national defense. We have “railing” and “ruin.” Not good.
10) “Flock marked for slaughter”
11a)
God levels three specific and damning accusations against the leaders of Israel:
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Merciless Exploitation: They treat the people as mere commodities to be bought and sold, slaughtering them without a second thought.
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Spiritual Hypocrisy: They attribute their filthy gain to God’s blessing, saying, “Praise the Lord, I am rich,” masking their greed with religious language.
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Ruthlessness (Not Sparing): The text states specifically that their own shepherds “do not spare them.” They offer no protection or mercy to the flock that is being bought and slaughtered.
b) God says: “For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” declares the Lord. “I will give everyone into the hands of their neighbors and their king. They will devastate the land, and I will not rescue anyone from their hands.”
God responds with judicial abandonment, ceasing His protection and surrendering the flock to civil strife and tyranny. This occurs because the flock forsook the “living waters” (Jeremiah 2:13), detested His leadership (Zechariah 11:8), and ultimately rejected the true Good Shepherd in favor of corrupt, destructive leaders (John 10).
12) Based on Zechariah 11:7–9, God directed Zechariah to shepherd the “flock marked for slaughter.” He took two staffs, named Favor and Union, to tend them. However, after removing three corrupt leaders and facing the flock’s hatred, Zechariah grew weary and resigned, leaving the rebellious people to their fate
13) Breaking Favor signified God revoking His covenant with the nations, removing His protective restraint. Breaking Union symbolized the severing of the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. Together, these acts marked the end of divine peace and national unity for the people.
14a) 30 pieces of silver
b) For me, it’s at my low points in life. When I’m depressed, unhappy, or life gets hard. That’s when I am tempted.
15a) Verses 15–16 reveal the Antichrist (typified as the “foolish shepherd”) is raised up by God, showing his power is a divinely permitted judgment. His cruelty is absolute neglect of the suffering, while his destruction is savage: he devours the healthy sheep’s flesh and tears off their hooves to consume them utterly.
b) God is in control. God is in charge. God always wins.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Days 4 and 5: Zechariah 11
This is a difficult passage to interpret, so stick with it!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Days 4 and 5: Zechariah 11
The doors of Lebanon are the mountain passes between Lebanon and Israel. The cedar trees represent Lebanon’s strength.
As the shepherd, Zechariah represented the Lord.
The three shepherds are often considered to represent the prophets, the priests, and the king.
The eating of the flesh did happen when the Romans attacked Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
In Zechariah 11, the two staffs represent the dual blessings the Good Shepherd (Messiah) brought to His people:
1. Staff “Favor” (Hebrew: No’am)
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Translation: Often translated as “Beauty,” “Grace,” or “Pleasantness.”
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Symbolism: It represents God’s protective covenant and grace toward His people. It symbolized the divine restraint God placed on foreign nations to keep them from destroying Israel. It reflects the vertical relationship between God and His flock—a relationship defined by His unmerited favor and defense.
2. Staff “Union” (Hebrew: Chobelim)
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Translation: Often translated as “Bands,” “Bonds,” or “Unity.”
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Symbolism: It represents the internal brotherhood and cohesion of the nation. specifically the unification of Judah (the Southern Kingdom) and Israel (the Northern Kingdom). It reflects the horizontal relationship among the people—binding them together in peace and shared identity under one Shepherd.
Together, they show that the Shepherd provided both external protection (Favor) and internal peace (Union).
In Zechariah 11:12–13, the thirty pieces of silver serve as a powerful prophecy regarding the rejection of the Messiah. Here is the breakdown of its significance:
1. The Value: The Price of a Slave
When the Shepherd asked the people for his wages, they weighed out thirty pieces of silver.
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The Insult: In the Mosaic Law (Exodus 21:32), this was the specific compensation price for a slave gored by an ox.
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The Meaning: By paying this amount, the religious leaders were effectively telling the Shepherd (God), “Your value to us is no more than that of a dead slave.” It was a calculated expression of contempt.
2. The Act: “Throw it to the Potter”
God, insulted by the low valuation, commanded Zechariah to “throw it to the potter” in the house of the Lord.
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The Prophecy: This specific detail foreshadows the events of the New Testament with remarkable precision. A potter’s field was where a potter would throw his broken bits of pots. It was a useless piece of land.
3. The Fulfillment: Judas and Jesus
This passage is directly cited in (Matthew 27:3-10) as being fulfilled by Judas Iscariot:
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The Betrayal: Judas betrayed Jesus for exactly thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling the valuation of the Messiah as the price of a slave.
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The Return: Filled with remorse, Judas threw the silver back into the temple (“the house of the Lord”).
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The Potter: The chief priests used the “blood money” to buy a potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners, fulfilling the command to throw the silver “to the potter.”
The foolish shepherd was allowed by God to be His instrument of judgment because the people rejected the true shepherd. This was fulfilled when Jesus was rejected. The foolish shepherd foreshadows the Antichrist (Daniel 9:27).
God will judge the worthless shepherd. Revelation 13:3, 12-14
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
This chapter provides a grim and dramatic enactment of Israel’s rejection of God’s leadership, contrasting the “Good Shepherd” with the “Foolish Shepherd.”
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The Wailing of Leaders (vv. 1–3): The chapter opens with poetry describing the destruction of Lebanon’s cedars and Bashan’s oaks. These majestic trees represent the prideful leaders of the nation. The “shepherds” (rulers) wail because their glory and pasture are destroyed.
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The Good Shepherd Rejected (vv. 4–14): Zechariah is instructed to act as a shepherd for a flock marked for slaughter. He takes two staffs—Favor (Beauty) and Union (Bonds). Despite caring for them and dismissing three bad leaders, the flock detests him. In response to their rejection, he breaks the staff “Favor,” signifying the revocation of God’s restraining protection against foreign nations.
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The Price of a Slave (vv. 12–13): When the Shepherd asks for his wages, the people weigh out thirty pieces of silver—the legal price of a slave (Exodus 21:32). This insultingly low valuation of God’s care is thrown “to the potter” in the house of the Lord, a specific prophecy fulfilled when Judas betrayed Jesus (Matthew 27:3–10).
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The Rise of the Foolish Shepherd (vv. 15–17): Because the people rejected the Good Shepherd, God hands them over to a “worthless shepherd” who will not care for the lost or heal the injured, but will instead devour them.
Conclusion
Rejection invites ruin. The conclusion of Zechariah 11 is a sobering warning: when people reject God’s gracious leadership (the Good Shepherd), they do not gain freedom. Instead, they become vulnerable to predatory leadership (the Foolish Shepherd). By valuing God’s care at the price of a slave, the people forfeited the “Favor” and “Union” that sustained their community.
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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Day 3: Zechariah 10
Summary of Zechariah 10
The Lord will care for His people, Judah, bringing rain. The Lord will be with His people as they punish their enemies. God will strengthen Judah, gather them, and save them. He will redeem them.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21 Day 3: Zechariah 10
6) The Promise: God guarantees abundant provision (“showers of rain”) if the people ask Him. He promises to intervene personally, visiting His neglected flock and transforming them from wandering sheep into His “majestic horse in battle.”
The Warning: He warns that idols and diviners speak lies and give “false comfort,” causing the people to wander. Consequently, God declares His burning anger against the “shepherds” (leaders) responsible for this spiritual directionlessness.
7a) “The Cornerstone” (Daniel 2:34, Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22-23, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:4-5): Reveals Him as the foundational rock on which God’s kingdom is built, crushing opposing kingdoms.
“The Tent Peg” (Isaiah 22:23-24): Reveals Him as the secure anchor who bears the weight of God’s house and glory, holding everything together firmly.
“The Battle Bow”: a strong fighter for good (Isaiah 63:1-4, Revelation 19:11-16).
“Every Ruler”: (Revelation 19:16).
b)
- They will become like “mighty men” in battle, trampling the enemy and putting horsemen to shame because the Lord is with them (v. 5).
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God promises to strengthen “Judah” (South) and save “Joseph” (North), reuniting the divided kingdom and restoring them as if He had never rejected them (v. 6).
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He will “whistle” for them to gather from exile in Egypt and Assyria, bringing them back until the land (Gilead and Lebanon) is overflowing with people (vv. 8–10).
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Just as in the first Exodus, God promises to pass through the “sea of trouble” and strike down the waves, humbling the pride of the nations that held them captive (v. 11).
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The final promise is one of identity: “I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will walk” (v. 12).
8a) The Lord is our defender and our provider. He strengthens us to overcome obstacles in our lives. He restores us. He has compassion on us. He never rejects us. He gathers us. He brings us back to Him. He is our everything.
b) I’m looking to make a career move and am wondering what He has for me. I pray He is helping guide me in these trying times and allowing me peace and solace through it all.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Day 3: Zechariah 10
I loved the circling of the “I’s.” It just shows us how much God loves us and all that He does for us, day in and day out. He is amazing.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Day 3: Zechariah 10
If you ask for rain, the Lord will provide.
Latter rains are spring rains.
There is no help from idols or diviners (or those who tell the future). The people had no leaders, which is why they were relying on these diviners.
Nevertheless, God would transform His people from sheep to war horses, ready for battle. They will defeat their enemies.
Their shepherd would be Jesus!
God will strengthen His people (all the tribes of Judah) and bring them joy.
God will gather His people (Deuteronomy 30:1-6, Jeremiah 23:1-8, Jeremiah 32:37-41, Ezekiel 11:16-20, Ezekiel 36:16-28) and defeat their enemies, so they can walk in freedom.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Interpretation of Zechariah 10
This chapter focuses on the source of true blessing and the restoration of God’s people from scattered exiles to a unified, powerful nation.
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True Source vs. False Comfort (vv. 1–2): The chapter opens with a command to seek provision (“rain”) from God, contrasting Him with household gods (idols) that offer lies. Because human leadership failed, leaving the people wandering like sheep without a shepherd, God announces He will step in to punish the bad leaders and care for the flock Himself.
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The Flock Becomes a Warhorse (vv. 3–7): God promises to transform His timid flock into a “majestic steed in battle.” From the house of Judah will come the key figures of stability and strength: the Cornerstone (foundation) and the Tent Peg (security). God empowers them to tread down enemies, signaling victory for both Judah (South) and Ephraim (North).
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The Second Exodus (vv. 8–12): God signals (whistles) for His people to return from exile in “Egypt” and “Assyria.” He promises to dry up the deep waters—just as He did at the Red Sea—to remove all obstacles to their return, strengthening them to “walk in His name.”
Conclusion
Restoration requires reliance. The passage concludes that God is the only provider of both physical needs (rain) and national security. By personally gathering the scattered exiles and removing the barriers to their return, God demonstrates that when His people rely on Him rather than false idols, He transforms their weakness into divine strength.
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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Day 2: Zechariah 9
Summary of Zechariah 9
The Lord comes against Israel’s enemies. Never again will an oppressor overrun God’s people. The king (Jesus) will come to Israel, riding on a donkey. The Lord will appear, overcome, and save His people. He grants them victory, beauty, and abundance, restoring their strength and joy.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21 Day 2: Zechariah 9
3a) God revealed grace by offering salvation even to enemies. After judging nations like Philistia, He promised a “remnant” would belong to Him, integrated like leaders in Judah. Simultaneously, He showed grace to Israel by personally encamping around His house as a protector, ensuring no oppressor would ever overrun them again.
b) God has always been with me in the troubling times, and although the times are heavy and hard, they do eventually pass, leading to brighter times in my life.
c) Honestly, the whole passage is encouraging! God is with me, He is my shelter, He will save me, and cover me, I will not fear, He holds me in His hands, etc. God is always there for us!
4a) Your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey. Jesus is our king, Lord over all of us. He is righteous and victorious over all. He did come humbly and riding on a donkey to save all of us.
b) When Jesus first came, he came as a humble servant, bringing salvation to his people. In Verse 10, he is coming as a warrior, bringing judgment and rule to the earth.
5) The Lord will save His people and fight for us. We will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. Such a beautiful picture of love.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Day 2: Zechariah 9
I love prophecy in the Bible! These are some of my favorite passages!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 21, Day 2: Zechariah 9
Most Bible scholars see this as the conquest of Alexander the Great since the towns and cities mentioned follow his march through the Promised Land in 332-331 B.C. They served as God’s judgment instrument.
The conquest of Tyre by Alexander the Great is considered one of the ingenious military conquests the world has ever known. It’s a very interesting study if you ever get the chance.
The Jebusites were those whom David conquered (Joshua 15:8, 2 Samuel 5:6-9, 2 Samuel 24:16-18). Both the Jebusites and the people of Ekron would become part of Israel.
Then, Jesus, as the coming king, is described as coming in peace. He would be a different kind of king.
This passage speaks of the millennium of the End Times (Psalm 72, Isaiah 2:2-4, Isaiah 11:4-9, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Luke 1:32-33 and 19:12-27, Matthew 5:18).
Verse 11 tells of the covenant of Moses, and God will rescue them as if they were trapped in a cistern.
The Lord will fight for His people.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
This chapter juxtaposes the judgment of worldly powers with the arrival of a divine, peaceful King.
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Judgment on the Nations (vv. 1–8): The chapter begins with the “Divine Warrior” marching south, dismantling the traditional enemies of Israel (Syria, Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia). God systematically strips them of their pride and military strength. However, a surprising twist occurs in verse 7: a remnant of these enemies will “belong to our God,” foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s kingdom.
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The Coming of the Messiah (vv. 9–10): In contrast to the violent conquests of Alexander the Great (who history suggests is the background context here), Zion’s King arrives in humility. Riding a donkey rather than a warhorse, He brings salvation and proclaims peace to the nations, extending His rule “from sea to sea.”
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The Liberation and Victory (vv. 11–17): Because of the “blood of the covenant,” God promises to free the prisoners from the waterless pit. He transforms His people from victims into victorious warriors, defending them so they shine like “jewels in a crown” in His land.
Conclusion
True power looks like humility. The passage concludes that God’s victory is not achieved through superior military might, but through a humble King who brings peace. While worldly powers (like Tyre and Philistia) trust in their fortifications, God’s people are called to trust in the King who arrives in lowliness to bring ultimate salvation.
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Friday’s Digest BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 20
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF EXILE & RETURN: A TIME TO BUILD LESSON 20
- God has great things in store for His people
- Self-focus perverts our best intentions
- God is about transforming our hearts
- We are to represent God right where we are at
- The Lord is with us
- God loves us abundantly
- Living for God changes everything: our relationships, work, community, and daily living
- We thrive when we live for Him
- Trusting in the Lord brings unfathomable blessings into our lives
- God wants to turn our mourning into joy
- God’s joy always overcomes our circumstances
- God will accomplish His purposes
- We live differently when we know that God is with us
- We can overcome fear and live for others when we seek God