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| 1 Ask ye of Jehovah rain in the time of the latter rain, even of Jehovah that maketh lightnings; and he will give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. |
Showers of rain – Truth. B256
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| 2 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 afflicted, because there is no shepherd. |
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| 3 Mine anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats; for Jehovah of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his goodly horse in the battle. |
The shepherds – Greedy, ignorant, lazy teachers. F287
In the battle – The time of trouble. D527
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| 4 From him shall come forth the corner-stone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together. |
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| 5 And they shall be as mighty men, treading down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Jehovah is with them; and the riders on horses shall be confounded. |
And they – Verses 5 to 12 evidently apply to the second advent. R2124:5
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| 6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy upon them; and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am Jehovah their God, and I will hear them. |
House of Joseph – Not mentioned as antagonistic or a rival kingdom to Judah or Ephraim, but as unitedly sharing divine favor--of the same kind and at the same time. R2124:5
Not cast them off – The Lord assures Israel that the coming favor will be to both, and to all the tribes. R2124:5
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| 7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine; yes, their children shall see it, and rejoice; their heart shall be glad in Jehovah. |
They of Ephraim – Christendom. D22
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| 8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased. |
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| 9 And I will sow them among the peoples; and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and shall return. |
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| 10 I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them. |
The land of Egypt – The kingdom of darkness. F458
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| 11 And he will pass through the sea of affliction, and will smite the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall dry up, and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart. |
Through the sea – The coming time of anarchy. D596
River shall dry up – "The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up." (Rev. 16:12) R1371:6
And the sceptre – Right to rule. B83
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| 12 And I will strengthen them in Jehovah; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith Jehovah. |
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