The people of God are encouraged to pray to the Lord for needed rain (v1). The Lord alone can deliver, not like the false gods the people chase after (v2). The embracing of these false gods has meant the people have been like wandering sheep and the Lord is particularly angry at the failure of their leaders to give better direction (v3).

It is crucial to pray for the elders both teaching and ruling within our churches to be faithful to the Lord as they lead.

There is a lovely promise here of a new leader to come from the tribe of Judah (v3b) who is described as a cornerstone (v4). This leader of course is Jesus who would bring proper guidance and security for His people. Are you truly resting in Jesus to have all your needs met? Are hope must not be on religion or on doing religious duty, but on Christ alone.

There is a wonderful promise here for the people of the tribes of Judah and Joseph (v6). Ephraim being mentioned is very interesting (v7). This was the main tribe in norther Israel which had been taken into captivity by the Assyrians. At this time of Zechariah’s prophecy, they had not returned. It was only a remnant of the tribe of Judah that returned, but the promise is made here of a future return for the people of Ephraim (v8-12). God is always far more gracious than any of us ever deserve and he therefore deserves all of our praise.