Study Desk

I will call them together, for I have saved them and set them free. And they will be as many as they were before.

I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon until there is no more room for them.

Cry in sorrow, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen. The beautiful trees have been destroyed. Cry in sorrow, O oaks of Bashan, for the many trees have fallen.

Listen to the cry of the shepherds, for their great land is laid waste. Listen to the sound of the young lions, for the trees along the valley of the Jordan River lay waste.

Those who buy them kill them and are not punished. And those who sell them say, ‘Thanks and honor be to the Lord, for I have become rich!' Their own shepherds have no pity on them.

For I will no longer have pity on the people who live in this land," says the Lord. "I will give everyone over to the power of his neighbor and his king. They will bring trouble to the land, and I will not save them from their power."

For I am going to have a shepherd rule over the land who will not care for the dying. He will not look for those who were sent everywhere or heal the hurt, or feed those who are well. But he will eat the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their feet.

It is bad for the shepherd who has no worth and who leaves the flock! A sword will destroy his arm and his right eye! His arm will be all dried up, and his right eye will be blind."

On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the people. All who lift it will be hurt. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

On that day the Lord will fight for the people of Jerusalem. The one who is weak among them on that day will be like David. And the family of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord leading them.

"I will pour out the Spirit of loving-favor and prayer on the family of David and on those who live in Jerusalem. They will look on Him Whose side they cut. They will cry in sorrow for Him, as one cries for an only son. They will cry much over Him, like those who have lost their first-born son.

"On that day a well of water will be opened for the family of David and for the people of Jerusalem to make them clean from their sin.

But he will say, ‘I am not a man who speaks for God. I am a farmer. A man sold me as a servant when I was young.'

For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle. The city will be taken. The houses will be robbed. The women will be taken against their will. And half of the city will be taken away to a strange land. But the rest of the people will not be taken away from the city.

You will run away by the valley of My mountains, for it will go as far as Azel. You will run away just as you did when the earth shook in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him.

It will be a special day which is known to the Lord. It will not be day or night. For when evening comes, there will be light.

"Now pray for God's favor, that He may be kind to us. With such gifts from your hands, will He receive any of you in kindness?" says the Lord of All.

"If only there were one among you who would shut the gates and stop you from burning a fire on My altar for nothing! I am not pleased with you," says the Lord of All. "And I will not receive a gift in worship from you.

From sunrise to sunset My name will be great among the nations. Special perfume will be given to My name everywhere, and a grain gift that is pure. For My name will be great among the nations," says the Lord of All.

"A curse will come upon the sinful man who promises to give a male from his flock, but gives an animal that is not perfect to the Lord. For I am a great King," says the Lord of All. "And My name is feared among the nations.