Elihu was quite right when in Job 34:3 he said that the ear tries words, as the mouth tasteth meat.  There's a good lesson for us here.  We can discriminate against, and spit out, offensive food. So we must select what we hear, and reject what is offensive.

V.2,16 The opening of this chapter is addressed to the friends of Job (wise men), while yesterday's reading (Job 33) it was to Job only. As we read through today's reading we see that Elihu once again addresses Job only (V.16) 

34:7-8  Elihu’s assessment of Job differs significantly from God’s as laid out in Job 1:8.

34:8  Do we think that Job ‘goeth in company of the workers of iniquity’? If not then this questions the reliability of Elihu even though he claimed to be speaking on behalf of God.

34:2  Job now turns to all the friends and addresses them as well as Job.

In v7-8 Elihu appears to accuse Job unjustly. But this isn't the case. All he means to say is "Job, listen to yourself! You sound just like a fool when you say 'it doesn't make any difference whether a man serves God or not' ". Elihu isn't saying Job is a wicked man, but that his words make him sound like one (v8). This is a turn of phrase Job used himself when speaking to his wife:

"you speak as one of the foolish women speaks" (2:10)

My paraphrase of Elihu's words in v7-9 would be: 'by saying "I shouldn't suffer in this way because I'm righteous!" you sound just like all the other fools who know no better. You're acting like them when you say "It doesn't profit a man to serve God" '

34:14-15 Whilst Elihu’s comment about God’s control of man’s life is true it is hardly relevant to Job’s situation. It is of no comfort to him.

34:10 In saying ‘therefore’ Elihu is saying that he has a good reason for the friends to listen to him because of the evidence that he has already presented.

10:1 latter rain Joel 2:23
10:2 because there was no shepherd Ezekiel 34:5
10:5 tread down their enemies Malachi 4:3
10:6 Judah Joseph Ezekiel 37:16
10:9 I will sow them among the people Hosea 2:23
10:9 remember me in far countries Deuteronomy 30:1
10:11 'river shall dry up' Isaiah 11:15
'sceptre of Egypt shall depart Isaiah 19:3
10:12 walk up and down in his name Micah 4:5

10:2 - 3 'because there was no shepherd' Ezekiel 34:8 Israel's leaders disregarded the flock as did the elders in the time of Jesus - see Matthew 9:26 therefore they were punished.

10:6 'Judah and Joseph' see Ezekiel 37:16. Zechariah is picking up the concept outlined by Ezekiel concerning the reuniting of the two parts.

10:10 The promise is a regathering of the outcasts which extends beyond the return from Babylon as it picks up the language of Isaiah 11:11 looking to the final restoration of Israel.

Zech 10:4. The nail here is a stout peg, upon which to display articles of value or glory. Christ will display the glory of his Father’s house,

Zech 10:6. In providing a Deliverer for His people God though the prophet is showing what He will do for His people Israel
            I will strengthen. (The house of Judah)
            I will save. (The house of Joseph)
            I will bring them again.
            I will have mercy upon them.
            I will hear them.
This, as was done when Israel was led out of Egypt.

Zechariah talks about the blessings that Jesus will bring when He returns (v.1).  He also talks about Jesus as the redeeming warrior of His people Israel.  He will confront and destroy the idolatrous nations that oppress Israel (vs.2,3).  The shepherds and goats of v.3 do not refer to false prophets of Israel but rather to the leaders of the nations that oppress Israel.  The context of the verse supports this.  The same language is used by Jeremiah (Jer 25:19-26;34-36).

Today we have a few verses giving the reasons why Israel have been punished (Zech 10:2-4), then the rest of the chapter is a wonderful picture of the Jews’ return, and of the Kingdom. Do notice Zech 10:2; even lifeless idols speak lies and falsehoods.  Our possessions can sometimes speak to us in clearer tones than we hear from God.  The problem Israel had was to which sound-source they closed their ears.

10:9 In saying ‘I will sow them among the people’ Zechariah quotes at least the idea of Jer 31:27 thus indicating that even though Israel are now back in the land they will be scattered yet again – which happened under the hand of the Roam.

10:8 Whilst the people had only recently returned from Babylon the prophet speaks of a return – indicating that God is showing them that the return from Babylon is but a shadow of what will happen when Messiah comes.

V.6 talks of restoration of the House of Judah and the House of Joseph.  The House of Judah represents the two tribes of the Southern Kingdom, and the House of Joseph refers to the ten tribes of Israel (the Northern Kingdom).  Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim who were counted as sons of Jacob (Gen 48:5,6).  The tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim dominated the Northern Kingdom of Israel and became synonymous with it.  And so, Zechariah is saying that the LORD will restore all Israel (the twelve tribes). This will take place when Jesus returns to earth.

10:4   The ‘nail’ harks back to Isa 22:23 but whereas that ‘nail’ was ‘removed’ the nail that Zechariah  speaks of – Jesus – will never be removed.

10:1-10 The sweet book which became bitter in the belly catches the circumstances of Ezekiel 3:1-14. The word of God is sweet as honey Psalm 119:103. However the message which it delivers to those who are rebellious is bitter.

11:2 The treading under foot of the court by the gentiles draws on Luke 21:24. It is a period of the desolation of the things of God. However just as Jerusalem will be restored so will be the fortunes of the nation of Israel for 'all Israel shall be saved ' Romans 11:26. This will happen when 'the fullness of the gentiles is come in'. Romans 11:15.

Even though we are at a time of the resurrection the message to be preached is still unpalatable. Hence the commission is rather like that of Ezekiel who had to preach to a rebellious nation.

Whereas in the days of Esther the gifts were sent amongst rejoicing Jews these presents are to be sent to celebrate the persecution of the servants of God.

The quotation from Daniel 3 shows how that all those who would bow down to the image would eventually be judged by God. So Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego made the right choice!

The quotations from Zechariah's visions show us that in order to understand what Revelation is speaking about we must understand the background to Zechariah's visions.

The olive trees and lamp stands are not quite the same in Revelation (11:4) as those of Zechariah (4:3).  Zechariah has two olive trees standing beside one lamp stand, while Revelation has two olive trees each standing separately by a lamp stand (viz. two lamp stands).  For explanation, please see my note on Dec. 21 for Zechariah 4.

Throughout history, there have been those who have carried Yahweh's truth.  These are the seed of the woman.  Those in rebellion to Yahweh are the seed of the serpent.  But there have been those individuals and groups throughout history who have opposed the seed of the serpent while not possessing Yahweh's Truth.  These have used political, religious, and physical persuasion to fight against injustice, religious intolerance, and corruption etc.  In fact, directly or indirectly, they have been of help to the seed of the woman.  This group is one of the witnesses symbolized by one of the olive trees.  The other witness is, of course, the seed of the woman.

10:3 The voice that was similar to "a lion that roareth" reminds us the "lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev 5:5)

11:3   The two witnesses perform the miracles hat Moses and Elijah did.
The fire proceeding out of their mouth 2Kin 1:10

Shut heaven that it rain not   James 5:17

Turn water to blood    Exo 7:20

All plagues     The 10 plagues on Egypt

10:11 It will then be the role of the immortalized saints to teach the remaining mortal population the ways of Yahweh.

10:4  The sealing up of the voice of the ‘seven thunders’ matches Dan 12:4 – marking the point that the seven thunders were to be restrained for some time to come.

11:6 The heaven being shut up is what God said would happen – Deut 11:16  – if Israel were unfaithful.

Parallels between Daniel 12 & Rev.10

John is invited in this chapter to v.9 “eat the book”, or participate in the events it records.

This fulfils the prayers of the saints in Rev.5:9-10; 6:10

The final judgments, and the fulfillment of the time periods of Daniel, will occur during the period of the 7^th trumpet sounding, but not necessarily at its beginning. John will rise to life again to “prophesy again” v.11. What a great privilege this will be for John and those who will be called to be saints.

11:9  Whereas all people had to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue all people are to will have no regard for God’s servants.

11:11   The ‘spirit of life … stood upon their feet’ quotes Eze 37:10. A passage which speaks of the revival of the nation of Israel in the last days. So the redemption of the saints is guaranteed by the fact that God has re-gathered natural Israel.

11:15 Notice it is ‘kingdoms’ on both occasions. The kingdom of God, during the millennium, will have separately identifiable countries – we would expect that from Zech 14:8.

New events, old symbols

Who are God's two witnesses in 11:3? Why do people rejoice when they're dead, even though they are obviously righteous men?

The answer to the second question is because they tormented people on the earth (11:10). So how can they be righteous if they tormented people? Again, the answer is in the context. Verse 5 and 6 describe plagues and miracles. Who do you know in the old testament who carried out these signs/plagues/miracles? And were they righteous to do so?

Once you turn to the old testament and find out which two prophets did all these signs, you will know who the two witnesses are, and the reason why they "tormented" people. This can then be applied to the context of the chapter to see what this symbol applies to in the Gentile period. As a clue, do you think v11 is the same event as Eze 37:10?

11:18 The angry nations are those of Psa 2:1-2