Dublin, OH
Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
2:12-13 The Divine Promise to Gather Jacob. The first main section ends with the Shepherd of Israel gathering his sheep into the protective fold (v. 12) and leading them out as their triumphant King (v. 13).
2:12 assemble . . . gather . . . set . . . like sheep. The descriptive actions culminate in the image of Yahweh as a protective shepherd. remnant. Perhaps a reference to numerous refugees of the Assyrian invasion, gathered in Jerusalem.
2:13 opens the breach. The metaphor shifts to a king leading his army out (they break through) from an enclosed city. Pass the gate probably refers to Jerusalem's gate (cf. 1:9, 12). king . . . before them . . . Lord. The identity of the Shepherd-King who opened the breach and leads the people into battle is fully revealed.
