Daily Devotions
Zechariah
"False dreams"
Text: Zechariah 10:2
EXPERIENCES WITH IDOLATRY
Israel’s dallying with idolatry resulted in terrible consequences. The nation lost its special blessings from God. Many were caught up with wicked practices. Hence, there was a strong word against returning to idolatrous ways.
“For the idols speak delusion;
The diviners envision lies,
And tell false dreams;
They comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wend their way like sheep;
They are in trouble because there is no shepherd.”
Zechariah 10:2
1. “Idols speak delusion”
a) Firstly, idols do not speak.
b) Idolaters imagine that their idols speak and they end up with delusion.
2. “The diviners envision lies, and tell false dreams”
a) At many shrines, diviners were found.
b) They were very creative in envisioning lies.
c) They speak of dreams that are actually false.
d) They promote delusion.
3. “They comfort in vain”
a) The diviners speak what the devotees want to hear.
b) They offer “comfort”.
c) In reality, their comfort is in vain.
4. “Therefore the people wend their way like sheep”
a) The people, the devotees are compared to sheep.
b) They are led astray by the diviners.
5. “They are in trouble because there is no shepherd”
a) The shepherds God gave included kings, priests and prophets.
b) But when the leaders fail in their duties, the people lack shepherding care.
c) They get into trouble because they do not have faithful shepherds to guide them.
Israel must never forget the painful lessons of their terrible past when idolatry prevailed.