Today we will read from Zechariah chapter 10. Zechariah 10:1 says, “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime.” This is a rain that falls during the spring harvest season. Whether crops will grow successfully depends on whether the rain falls abundantly or not. “Ask the Lord for rain” is a challenge to the people who were building a temple to worship the Lord, urging them to seek God’s blessing. Chapter 10 contains a message that the people of Israel would become a nation blessed by God through building the temple.
Previously, we read Zechariah 9:9, which said: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” The Lord Jesus would one day come to the temple they were building. The temple would bear witness to Jesus’ work of redemption. Like Zechariah’s people, I believe we are meant to live a life in which we earnestly seek God’s blessings.
However, when the Israelites of old needed God’s help, instead of turning to the true God, they turned to divination and idols. That is what verse 2 says: “The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.” During the reign of King Solomon, they had built the first temple of God, turned their eyes toward Him, obeyed God’s words, and aimed to live within his favor. God’s will was for the people of Israel to live as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. Unfortunately, many of Israel’s rulers—who were supposed to be shepherds of the people—strayed from God’s will, which was to love Him and love their people.
Let’s briefly recall that history. The first temple in Israel was built during the reign of King Solomon. God blessed King Solomon’s work and used him mightily. King Solomon was a good shepherd to his people; he led them in worship and prayer, setting them firmly on their path as God’s people. Let me read parts of Solomon’s prayer. In 1 Kings 8:27-30 he prays, “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.” Solomon, a good leader who had built a temple for the Lord, prayed earnestly for God to hear the people’s prayers.
But after some time, even King Solomon strayed away from God’s blessing. And even more tragically, starting with the next generation, the kingdom split in two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. It is thought that if Solomon’s son Rehoboam had listened to God and determined to love the people, the kingdom would not have split. Northern Israel, having split off, soon lost its faith in God and worshiped a golden calf. Southern Judah managed to hold on but was ultimately destroyed by Babylon, and its people were taken into exile. Yet, they were miraculously able to return to Jerusalem later. Interestingly, this was foreshadowed in King Solomon’s prayer.
Let’s read more of his prayer, from 1 Kings 8:46-50: “When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy.” God remembered this prayer of Solomon, and by a miracle He delivered them from captivity.
By the time of Zechariah, the people of Israel had resolved to return to Jerusalem, rebuild the Temple, and once again be a people who worship God and obey His Word. Zechariah chapter 10 promises them abundant blessing.
What is this blessing of God? Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah will once again become a people loved and redeemed by God. Verse 8 says, “I will signal for them and gather them in. Surely I will redeem them; they will be as numerous as before.” The word “redeem them” is addressed to both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Verse 6 says, “I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them.” The tribes of Joseph refer to the northern kingdom of Israel. God will restore both kingdoms to become a people of God again. Verse 7 says, “The Ephraimites will become like warriors . . .” Ephraim refers to the northern kingdom also. Verse 7 says “Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord.” The words “joyful” and “rejoicing” show a restored people. They will once again rebuild the temple and be a people who worship the Lord. And this blessing will extend to their children as well.
Carrying this hope, even more people will return to this land. Verse 10 says that they will be brought back from Egypt and Assyria. They will be gathered in Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be enough room for them. Many will return, so the people of Israel will grow in numbers. Verse 11 says they will pass through the sea of trouble and the sea will be subdued; they will be set free from suffering. Meanwhile Egypt and Assyria who had enslaved them will be brought low. Verse 12 says, “I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely.” It is the Lord who has the power to bring them back to this land.
Let’s summarize what we have read in Chapter 10. God will bless those who resolve to build the temple and worship him. Zechariah challenges them to ask the Lord for rain. Brothers and sisters, why were we saved? It is not because we are all exceptional or worthy. It is by grace that we have been saved. It is by Christ’s love that we have been saved. And therefore we decided to worship as a people of God, to praise Him and to live according to his Word. We believe the Lord will pour out his blessing; we await restoration; and we seek his blessing.
The restoration of our physical world is an important issue for us today. We now see the effects of global warming in many places. We live in fear of destructive weather. Yet there is a God who brings order. Let us turn our eyes to God, ask the Lord for a shower of blessing, and pray that He will greatly bless our lives. When we resolve to live once again as people of the covenant, a time of restoration will come—even for a people who have experienced failure. That time will surely come. With this faith, let us ask the Lord for a shower of blessing. This is the challenge given in chapter 10.
Let me reread Zechariah 10:1. “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” God’s promise is certain. He promises to send the thunderstorms, gives showers of rain to all people, and gives plants of the field to everyone. Even if his promise seems slow in coming and we cannot see it, let us turn our eyes to him and pray. Let us wait for the time that his blessing will be poured out. It takes time for the harvest to appear.
It is wonderful that we have believed in Christ, been saved, and become a people who worship God. Yet on this earth we go through times of sickness, suffering, anxiety, and sadness. During these times, we can still ask the Lord to send his shower of blessing. Let us lift our eyes to the heavens, gaze upon the greenness of the fields, and pray, “Lord, bless us.” One day, the Lord will answer our prayer abundantly.
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