Zechariah 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
4 Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
5 And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.
I listened to a well trained U.S. colonel who is not as heavily tied to the Biden/Rino movement. He is not a saved man. That is obvious from his views of the situation in the Middle East. He does not believe the Bible, but he does know the word “Armageddon”. This man stated that as this war in Israel wears on, support for Israel is likely to wain. Ezekiel 38-39 warns of a time when the enemies of Israel will join forces to come against her with a massive attack. Israel will be isolated. No nation will come to her defence. From the human perspective, Israel will be finished. However, God tells us that He will not allow Israel to be destroyed. At just the right moment, He will intervene. We know that this scenario could play out at any time. God is in charge. The enemies of God are limited in their abilities. We know that Israel will be protected as a nation even though many Jews will spend eternity in the lake of fire.
We are not given those warnings to lull us to sleep. We are told this to demonstrate the power of God. As we look at God’s dealings with Israel, we can also learn of God’s dealings regarding those who are born again. God is able to protect His children. He will not lose one of them. Those who are saved can walk with confidence in God. We can speak with confidence and boldness in warning and reminding others of the importance of turning to the true God and trusting in Him.
This chapter is referring further to the blessings of the LORD’s kingdom. This is the time of the Millennium. The charismatics like to use parts of this for their heresies. They speak of the latter rain in a distorted and corrupted manner. The latter rain here refers to the rain that is necessary to fill out the crop in preparation for harvest. If there is the early rain, the crop can germinate and grow. However, if the latter rain does not come, the seed cannot fill out properly and it will be a lighter kernel and a smaller harvest.
Zechariah was told to tell the people to ask the LORD for the rain. The LORD would make bright clouds appear and there would be showers of rain. When the crop is filling out, the farmer does not want to see a heavy downpour. That would cause the crop to lay down and it would make harvest more difficult. A nice gentle shower is perfect for that crop as it fills out. God is using this illustration to refer to the spiritual blessings He will give to the nation of Israel in the Millennium.
God is more interested in man’s success, than in a crop. God had chosen Israel in the days of Abraham. He had blessed them in their beginnings. He had watched over them ever since that time. However, Israel had floundered and did not prosper as God wanted them to. In the Millennium they will receive the latter rain. They will prosper and the other nations will recognize this.
In verse 2 God contrasted His blessings with the void of idolatry. Idols cannot help anyone. People imagine that they help, but the reality is that they cannot help. The LORD often warned the nation of Israel of the vanity of idolatry. He warned them not to get involved in that. They had no need to turn to idols. Idols never helped them and they never helped the nations from whom they copied the idolatrous practices.
We have the example of Egypt. Egypt did not prosper due to their paganism. God used them for a time to house the nation of Israel. He blessed them for some 400 years. However, He removed all the blessings from them because they did not turn to Him during those many years. They continued to reject Him. The Pharaoh of that time and his army were destroyed. Prior to that the crops and the livestock and other things of the land were also destroyed. Egypt faced a major catastrophe due to their rebellion. Egypt is still a nation in the Middle East today. They are still a nation that is not trusting in the true God. They have been sympathetic to Israel’s plight at times, but they are currently not helping Israel in the war they are in. They are somewhat trying to appear neutral, but they are obviously sympathetic to the Muslim cause.
In verse 3 the LORD spoke further of His judgment of the rebellion of the prophets and priests of the past. He could not bless them. He judged them. God dealt with them and now He had visited Judah once again.
In verses 4-6 the LORD spoke of the blessings that He would grant to Judah and Israel. God’s wrath is just. He punishes and He also is able to bless those who turn to Him. He does not punish and then reward sin. He punishes and rewards those who turn to Him in repentance.
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
God expects His children to honour Him. He provides all they need to honour Him. He chastens them to bring them into obedience of His way. Zechariah was commanded to write of the blessing that Judah would know down the road. They were not ready to receive it in his day, but the day was coming when they would be ready. The LORD is longsuffering. He gave and is still giving the nation of Israel opportunity to turn to Him. Individual Jews are being saved. However, the nation is not interested in God’s salvation. They just want a puppet to do their bidding. God does not work that way. He is the Creator God. He is the Almighty God. He is the LORD of hosts. He has the right to set the standard and enforce the standard. He loves man and wants man to know His blessing.
In verse 6 we read that the LORD has the capacity to restore Judah so that they will be as though they were never chastened. He can do wonders. His chastening is not enjoyable. Many Jews have suffered and died due to their rebellion against the Lord. However, in that day, they will rejoice in knowing Him and they will forget all the losses as they enjoy His blessings from hearts that have been changed by His power and love.
Today is the Lord’s day. It is the day when people should be getting up and getting ready to go to a good church. In most of Canada, we had time change over night. You had an extra hour to sleep in. Now it is time to get up and get ready to go to the house of the Lord. It is important to ask the Lord to prepare your heart to receive the blessing that He has for you. Don’t miss out.
Pastor Bartel
