Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 10:1

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.

It was a time of great scarcity with the Iews while the Temple and City lay waste, and the Prophets from God assure them 'tis for neglecting to rebuild the Temple, to which work the Lord doe's earnestly call by Haggai and Zechariah, with promises of great Blessings which forthwith God would give to them, if they set to this work, and seek the Lord by Prayer, to which Duty he doth direct them in this chap. to the building of City and Temple they must add Prayer, for the Blessing is prepared, and shall be given when asked.

Iews returned from Babylon, setled in your City, and return'd to the Worship of God, and to whom many excellent promises are made you must pray.

Which usually came about Spring to fill the eared Corn, and to bring forth the grass to make the Trees and plants with their Fruit to be full and large, this latter rain made plenty of all provision, and is proverbially used to signifie a great blessing, Hos. 6.3.

By making the Vapours ascend from the Earth, he will cover the Heavens with clouds, see how Iob 38.28. doth elegantly describe this work of God.

Clouds which bring rain, and pour it out abundantly, when they are opened with Thunders and Lightnings, which do as it were broach the Clouds, they unstop these Bottles, and they are bright Clouds through the Lightnings which break from them. Iob 28.26. and 38.25, 26.

The Iews his people.

Plentiful showers of rain that shall fatten the Earth, and make it fruitful.

None shall miss it, nor the effect of it on Corn, or Grass; Corn for Man, and Grass for the Beast.

Marginal references: Jer. 14.22.; Or, lightnings.