Mercy in Store for Israel Zechariah

The last seven verses give fuller detail of the second advent (v. 10), that is related to national Israel. With the nouns Ephraim and Judah (v. 13), we are told that all of Israel is in view. That is affirmed by “the blood of your covenant” (v. 11), whether it be the Abrahamic or Mosaic, all the details of the covenant applied to both Ephraim and Judah.
God assures Israel that he has not forgotten them. How does he do that in vv. 11-17? Reminder of the covenant (v. 11). A promise of double blessing (vv. 12-13). Realization of total goodness and beauty (vv. 14-17).
v. 12 “I will return double” is a very interesting statement. We are familiar with the firstborn receiving a double portion of inheritance. Call to mind Joseph . . . his brothers became the name of the tribes of Israel. But, where is the tribe called Joseph? Why is the name Joseph missing? Ruben, Jacob’s firstborn, defiled his father’s bed (1 Chron 5:1-2), so lost his birthright. The birthright was given to Joseph, so his descendants were counted as double, the tribes Ephraim and Manasseh. Exodus 4:22, “thus says Yahweh, ‘Israel is my son, my firstborn.’” Firstborn among all the nations, clearly not chronologically. Israel received double portion of blessings. She also is receiving double punishment for rebelling against her God. Isaiah 40:1-2. Jeremiah 16:14-18. Do these passages bring a measure of clarity as to the Jewish people during the centuries of their dispersion?
However, Israel's disobedience and consequent miseries will not last forever. Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of dishonor they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land; Everlasting gladness will be theirs.”
27 Oct 24