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Zechariah Chapter 10 The Abundant Blessing of the Lord 10:1 Ask the LORD for rain in the season of the late spring rains — the LORD who causes thunderstorms — and he will give everyone showers of rain and green growth in the field. At the end of chapter 9 we saw the blessing of God being restored to an arable farming community in terms of overflowing harvests of grain and new wine. The picture of abundance continues with an exhortation to pray – for during times of blessing and restoration when God is looking favourably on his land and people he will be inquired of to pour out even more abundant blessing; in this case the late spring rains which would help to produce higher crop yields. Even though we may not live in farming community, yet the spiritual principle abides; we cannot simply hope for the outpouring of God’s blessing – we must ask for it in order to receive (Matt. 7:7).
God as the Good Shepherd 10:2 For the household gods have spoken wickedness, the soothsayers have seen a lie, and as for the dreamers, they have disclosed emptiness and give comfort in vain. Therefore the people set out like sheep and become scattered because they have no shepherd. The idolatry of the nation of Israel had led them into spiritual poverty and moral wickedness, resulting in their exile. The worship of idols had brought no benefit to the nation; it offered them neither comfort nor hope for the future. In this way Israel had become like sheep without a shepherd with no one to bless, provide for or shelter them. 10:3 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. The time had come for God to show Israel the contrast between the blessings to be found in the true worship of Jehovah and the worthless worship of idols. God would gather the people of Judah like a shepherd gathers his flock, to protect, bless and provide for them. Although their idols had done them no good, God would bless them and do them much good, and only good. The AV (above) seems more correct to employ the past tense, showing how God had been angered and had punished those who had led Israel astray with their lying teachings. This allusion to punishment is probably a reference to the Babylonian invasion and the years of exile; for it appears that by the time of the return, the priests were ready to obey God’s will (Neh. 10:28). As their shepherd God would take good care of them; just as a man might feed, groom and in other ways look after the horse on which he rides and on which, in time of war, his life might depend.