“I will strengthen
The house of Judah.
I will save
The house of Joseph.
I will bring them back
Because I have compassion on them.
They shall be
As though I had not rejected them.
I am Yahweh,
Their God.
I will answer them.
Then the people of Ephraim
Shall become like warriors.
Their hearts shall be glad
As with wine.
Their children
Shall see it.
They shall rejoice.
Their hearts shall exult
In Yahweh.”
Yahweh, here in Zechariah, assumed the first person singular. He was going to strengthen and save the house of Judah and Joseph, because he was going to bring them back in a compassionate way. They were going to be, as if they had never been rejected. Yahweh was clear. He was their God. Thus, he would answer them. He would be particularly kind to the northern people in Ephraim. They would become like warriors with wine filled glad hearts. Their children would see what was going on and be happy as they exulted in Yahweh.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 