Zechariah 10:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is undeniable that the divine disciples, scattered among the Greeks, became as horses, creating a mighty uproar against the idle chatter and detestable lies. This is affirmed when Christ speaks of the esteemed Paul to Ananias, saying, ‘Go, for this vessel is chosen unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel’ (Acts 9:15). Furthermore, Habakkuk did not hesitate to proclaim about our Lord Jesus Christ, ‘Thou shalt teach thy horses and thy cavalry salvation’ (Hab. 3:8). Thus, the passage indicates that just as a noble horse in battle receives instruction, God discerned those capable of spreading the gospel and appointed them from the lineage of Judah for this ministry. He designated them to execute His will, serve, and be mediators of the grace that flows from Him. Additionally, He mentions that ‘out of him’ Judas, in his fury, drew a bow against his adversaries. This refers to him who brings desolation and captivity—the one who drives out. This is precisely what the apostles accomplished when they rescued the children of the Greeks and presented them to the great King, who is Christ, so that they might yield to Him and share in His purpose, having finally cast off the oppressive burden of the devil’s rule. Hence, the divine disciples emerged victorious over the Hellenic sages, appearing to stomp down the dust strewn across their path, for the Lord was with them, ‘who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things, and without number’ (Job 5:9). Moreover, Christ proclaimed to His followers, ‘I give unto you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy’ (Luke 10:19). It is important to emphasize that we convey this with an understanding of its spiritual implications. However, the Jews resist this interpretation and instead refer to historical accounts, claiming that after their captivity, Antiochus, known as Epiphanes, waged war against them, assembling a vast army from the Hellenistic territories and boasting of additional allied forces. Yet, as they concede, Israel prevailed and received honor from his atrocities; during that time, the Maccabees, hailed as martyrs, were adorned with a crown of glory (1 Macc. 6:7). Supporting their view, they reference what we have previously stated: ‘Wherefore I will bend Judah as a bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim, and I will raise up thy children, O Zion, against the children of the Greeks, and I will make thee as a sword of a mighty man; and the Lord shall be upon them, and His arrow shall go forth as lightning: and the Lord God Almighty shall sound the trumpet and shall go forth in the glory of His praise. The Lord God Almighty shall defend them’ (Zechariah 9:13-14).

He has looked upon them, He has established them, the fierce bow is from Him, and from Him shall emerge all who are gathered together. They shall act as warriors, trampling down the dust of the roadside in combat, prepared because the Lord is alongside them.

This passage is interpreted by the Jews in two distinct manners. Some believe all things must reach fulfillment at the coming of Christ, while others argue that these events were realized during the Maccabean period. However, the essence of the Lord's promise is this: He expressed His displeasure towards the shepherds, rulers, and priests, as well as the goats, and visited His people as it is written, "My people have become a lost flock; their shepherds have led them astray" (Jeremiah 50:6). Thus, the wrongdoing of the leaders led to punishment for their followers—not due to an unjust judgment that penalizes children for the sins of their parents, but because the people, in their sins, supported their leaders. It was at that time the Lord visited the goats, or the plump lambs, and according to the Septuagint, made them wither from drought.

Subsequently, the Lord turned His attention to His flock, the house of Judah: He raised up Judah Maccabeus and others of his generation to oppose Antiochus' rulers and set them in battle like His glorious steed. This refers to those emerging from his lineage, as they had long oppressed the Macedonians. The phrases referring to the cornerstone, pillar, and bow imply figurative meanings, indicating royal authority as the cornerstone that supports and upholds, and the priesthood as the pillar. Isaiah describes Eliakim being established in the temple as a pillar (Isaiah 22:20-24). The war bow symbolizes the might for battles, and rulers are understood collectively, with the Hebrew term noges (נוגש) suggesting that amongst them will be both strong and weak individuals. Indeed, Judas Maccabeus and the princes from his lineage embodied the cornerstone as they governed the people with royal strength; they represented the pillar since they were also priests; and they were the formidable bow in warfare, leading the charge into battle themselves.

Furthermore, regarding the expression that every ruler will come forth, as the Septuagint translates it as each one who brings forth, we may interpret this to mean that no leader will arise without being in accordance with God’s will. They will be powerful warriors, trampling their foes in battle as if they were mere roadside dirt, and will possess great strength in combat because the Lord is with them. Our interpreters apply this passage to times of persecution, as the vices of the priests often lead to the people being handed over to their adversaries. Nevertheless, the Lord Almighty will visit His flock, the house of Judah, who truly confess God with heart and mouth, and He will set them in battle as His glorious steed, as the saints proclaim, "Thou shalt mount His horses, and Thy ascent is salvation" (Habakkuk 3:8). He Himself will be the bow of the Lord’s wrath, declaring, "I will make My arrows drunk with blood" (Deuteronomy 32:42), and "My arrows shall slay them." The seventh psalm recounts, "He has bent His bow and made it ready; He has prepared instruments of death; His arrows He made fiery" (Psalm 7:13-14). The martyrs who wear crowns will trample on their enemies, proclaiming, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" When adversaries sought to devour my flesh, my tormentors stumbled and fell. If armies rise up against me, my heart shall not fear; if war is stirred against me, I will trust in Him (Psalm 26:1-4). Then shall these words be fulfilled: "One shall chase a thousand, and two shall put ten thousand to flight" (Deuteronomy 32:30).

If you were to push someone near a river, causing him to fall in rather than extending a hand to save him, you would have harmed your brother. Therefore, it is even more vital to extend help to the one who stumbles, ensuring that he does not meet complete ruin, for the community’s awakening and the sinner's restoration are paramount. Furthermore, bishops must not treat the people's sins with indifference, nor should they ignore those seeking forgiveness. Otherwise, you risk becoming like an inexperienced leader who neglects the Lord's flock, scorns His precious name given to His people, and earns reproach like those ancient shepherds whom God condemned through Jeremiah: "Many shepherds have spoiled My vineyard, they have defiled My inheritance" (Jeremiah 12:10). Additionally, let it be remembered that “to whom much is given, from him much will be required” (Luke 12:48).