Zechariah 10:1 (ESV) … “Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.”
Zechariah’s people, who were pressing on with the task of rebuilding the temple, were suffering hardship as a result of successive years of drought. “Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain,” Zechariah said.
The latter rain, which was essential to swell the maturing grain, usually came at the time of the vernal equinox or early spring around March. The early rain usually came at the time of the autumnal equinox or autumn around later September.
Both showers of rain were considered to be marks of God’s blessing (Deuteronomy 11:14; Isaiah 30:23; Jeremiah 5:24). Zechariah was concerned for his people, but he did not hesitate to re-emphasize the fact that the nation’s troubles stemmed from its earlier idolatry and later indifference.
The promise of rain given in Zechariah 10:1 seems to have a spiritual meaning behind it because the Holy Spirit is spoken of regarding rain (Isa. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 39:29; Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23–32). God promises to pour out His Spirit on Israel (Zech. 12:10) and bring them to repentance and faith in Christ. [1]
The good news of this passage is that even when we wander from the Lord, He is faithful to bring us back to repentance. The Lord can withhold blessing and pour out blessings to grab our attention and bring us back to Him. God’s number one desire for our lives is that we have a relationship with Him. So whatever time of life you might be in, drought or plenty, know that God loves you and is always call us back into His fellowship.
[1] Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring the Minor Prophets: An Expository Commentary (Zec 10:1–2). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.
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