10:1 Ask ye of the a 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.
(a) The Prophet reproves the Jews, because by their own
infidelity they turn away God's promised graces, and so
famine came by God's just judgment. Therefore to avoid
this plague, he exhorts them to turn to God, and to
pray in faith to him, and so he will give them
abundance.
10:2 For the b idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have
seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in
vain: therefore c they went their way as a flock, they
were troubled, because [there was] no shepherd.
(b) He calls to remembrance God's punishments in times
past, because they trusted not in him, but in their
idols and sorcerers who always deceived them.
(c) That is, the Jews went into captivity.
10:3 My anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished
the d goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock
the house of Judah, and hath made them as e his majestic
horse in the battle.
(d) Meaning, the cruel governors who did oppress the poor
sheep; (Eze 34:16-17).
(e) He will be merciful to his Church, and cherish them as
a king or prince does his best horse, which will be for
his own use in war.
10:4 Out f of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail,
out of him the battle bow, out of him every g oppressor
together.
(f) Out of Judah will the chief governor proceed, who will
be as a corner to uphold the building, and as a nail to
fasten it together.
(g) Over their enemies.
10:6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save
the h 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.
(h) That is, the ten tribes, which would be united under
Christ to the rest of the Church.
10:8 I will i hiss for them, and gather them; for I have
redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have
increased.
(i) By which he declares the power of God, who needs no
great preparation when he will deliver his own: for
with a gesture or hiss he can call them suddenly from
all places.
10:9 And I will k sow them among the people: and they shall
remember me in far countries; and they shall live with
their children, and l turn again.
(k) Though they will yet be scattered and seem to be lost,
yet it will be profitable to them: for there they will
come to the knowledge of my name, which was
accomplished under the Gospel, among whom it was first
preached.
(l) Not that they would return into their country, but be
gathered and joined in one faith by the doctrine of the
Gospel.
10:11 And he m shall pass through the sea with affliction, and
shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the
river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be
brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart.
(m) He alludes to the deliverance of the people out of
Egypt, when the angel smote the floods and rivers.
