8 I will whistle for them and gather them, For I will redeem them; And they shall increase as they once increased. 9 “I will sow them among the peoples, And they shall remember Me in far countries; They shall live, together with their children, And they shall return.
We find regathering of the nation under the Messiah in verses 8 through 11. This climatic event will result in the vista of Israel’s complete restoration to the land. In verses 8 and 9, the LORD will gather Israel from worldwide dispersion to her land again.
10:8
I [the LORD] will whistle for them and gather them,
Jehovah will “whistle” for the return of His people as the shepherd whistles for his sheep to return. This gathering from worldwide dispersion will be the return of Israel to her national entity under the Messiah.
For I will redeem them;
The nation departed from the LORD into occultism and pagan divination (Zech 10:2-3; 13:1-5). But He will regather these same people to Himself like a Shepherd into the Millennial fold. The regathering of Israel will involve the redemption of the nation to God’s purpose for them. Redemption here is not personal but national, a complete redemption of the nation. It will be the time when Israel is restored as a nation under the Messiah in the Millennium.
And they shall increase as they once increased.
The nation will increase in prosperity as they had it before the exile when she returns to the land of promise.
10:9
“I will sow [scatter] them among the peoples,
Jehovah dispersed Israel into exile for the purpose of discipling them. Their response to His discipline will bring them back to Him.
And they shall remember Me in far countries;
Some Jews will repent while dispersed in exile in foreign countries. They will come to grips with the LORD’s unconditional covenants and promises and embrace them once again. Redemption here is spiritual regeneration.
They shall live, together with their children, And they shall return.
Israel will be brought back from dispersion among the nations during the Millennial reign of Christ (Isa 11:15). The return of Israel to their nation will involve remembering the Messiah.
PRINCIPLE:
God is always willing to reinstate His people.
APPLICATION:
God is in the business of dispersing and regathering His people. God’s people often remember Him during times of discipline and return to fellowship with Him.
God summons His people to return to Him. Jesus said something similar in John 10:27: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” God is always willing to restore people who repent of their aberrant behavior and lack of faith or trust in Jehovah. He always welcomes back into His arms those who have gone astray.
