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Ask of the LORD rain in the spring time, the LORD who makes storm clouds, and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.
Verse 1. Snows. Prot. “Bright clouds,” or “lightnings.” Bible.—God will presently grant your requests, after the persecution of Epiphanes. Calmet.—The latter season is when fruit ripens, the acceptable time to sue for grace. Worthington.
For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
Verse 2. Vanity. Jason prevailed on many to imitate the Gentiles. 1 Maccabees 1:12.
teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property.
My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats, for the LORD of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
Verse 3. Goats; the leaders of the people. Jeremiah 50:8. Calmet.—Vir gregis ipse caper. Virg. Ec. 7.—Jason died in exile, Lysimachus was slain in the temple, Alcimus perished miserably, and Menelaus was hurled among ashes. 2 Maccabees 5:5 and 4:39. and 13:4. and 1 Maccabees 9:54.—Battle. The apostates have suffered: God will not abandon his flock, but raises up Mathathias, and so forth
From him will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
Verse 4. Corner, to connect the building. The Machabees were not of the tribe of Juda; but it was the chief, and gave name to the rest. Judas was also a figure of Christ, the chief corner-stone, and he should be born of that tribe.—Pin, to fasten down the tent, or to hang things upon. These comparisons were not deemed mean, 1 Ezra 9:8. and Isaiah 22:23.—Exactor. The term may have a good as well as a bad sense. Taxes must be paid for the support of lawful governments. Judas forced other nations to pay tribute. Calmet.—The same term in Ethiopia, means “a king.” De Dieu.
They will be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle. They will fight, because the LORD is with them. The riders on horses will be confounded.
Verse 5. Riders. The Syrians, with ( Bible.) all their cavalry, were routed by a few ill-armed infantry. Calmet.
“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, for I have mercy on them. They will be as though I had not cast them off, for I am the LORD their God, and I will hear them.
Verse 6. Joseph. All the tribes shall embrace the gospel at last. Worthington.—Back, from the caverns to which they had fled.
Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will rejoice as through wine. Yes, their children will see it and rejoice. Their heart will be glad in the LORD.
Verse 7. Valiant. Ephraim was a powerful and valiant tribe. Deuteronomy 33:17. Calmet.
I will signal for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them. They will increase as they were before.
Verse 8. Whistle. Christians are sweetly drawn by inspirations, without clamorous words. Saint Cyril Worthington.—This expression shews the sovereign dominion of God. Calmet.—Septuagint “I will give them a sign.” Bible.
I will sow them among the peoples. They will remember me in far countries. They will live with their children and will return.
Verse 9. Me. The Jews were spread throughout the world, and adhered to their own customs. Philo. See Acts 2:8.—While they enjoyed the greatest prosperity, they kept together in a small territory. It is wonderful how they have since increased.
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and there won’t be room enough for them.
Verse 10. For them. They returned from the places to which they had been dispersed during former wars, when Judas had liberated his country. Calmet.
He will pass through the sea of affliction, and will strike the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
Verse 11. Sea. The Jews pretend that the Bosphorus’ straits were dried up, to afford them a passage. Saint Jerome—But they must produce some stronger text to prove such a miracle. No obstacles shall be able to retard God’s people. Isaiah 11:16.—Assyria. After Epiphanes, the kingdom subsisted only about seventy years.—Egypt. The Ptolemies excluded the natural princes, who have never regained the throne. They who had so often disturbed the Jews, were deprived of their power over them by the Syrians, and never could prevail there again after the Machabees. Calmet.—When the faithful are confirmed in their religion, the enemy cannot hurt them. Worthington.
I will strengthen them in the LORD. They will walk up and down in his name,” says the LORD.