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 everyone grass in the field. 2. For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. 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. 4 Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
Under the figurative language of rain, the blessings of the Holy Spirit, in his gracious influences, are directed to be sought for from the Lord. Reader! pray notice the similarity in this injunction to that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 11:9-13. And do observe further, that in those precepts there is implied the accompanying grace to enable the petitioner to ask. The Corner-stone is well known to be an emblem of Christ. Psalms 118:22. with Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11. And the nail fastened in a sure place, equally typical of Christ. Isaiah 22:23; Ecclesiastes 12:11. And the battle-bow, which implies the holy war of the Lord Jesus. Isaiah 63:1. And the oppressor together, means that all agents must have their commission from him. Hence Peter, when charging the Jews with crucifying the Lord of life and glory, declared, that it was only accomplishing, what before, the Lord had determined to be done. Acts 2:23.