阅读经文 

圣经中有很多经文提到风暴的破坏能力和神有时会怎样使用风暴来施行审判，但也有不少其他经文描述那些带来祝福的风暴，特别是关于雨水滋润大地的经文。

古代文明农业缺乏灌溉系统，定时降下的甘霖是很重要的。当雅各差儿子从迦南到埃及籴粮时，（参创 42）他们没法在所住之地栽种作物，他们的庄稼需要雨水，可是他们却又面临一场大饥荒。你能想像那种匮乏吗？有清洁的食物和水源供应是生存的基本要素。

撒迦利亚提醒神的子民，耶和华是雨水的源头。撒迦利亚预言中的教导，强调神在大自然中作工，祂是百姓能力的源头。我们都需要祈求神赐福给我们，又让我们的生命显明这些福气的源头。当时的百姓正在耶路撒冷重建神的圣殿，所以撒迦利亚便提醒他们，神吩咐每一个百姓要离弃罪恶并忠心侍奉祂。

撒迦利亚书最后几章，开始指向救主弥赛亚（基督）的降临。耶和华不但供应雨水给每一个人，在将要降临的国度里，神还会供应每一个人一切所需的。

Many Bible texts talk about the destructive power of storms and how sometimes God uses storms to bring judgment. But many other texts describe storms as bringing blessings, especially in the rains that water the land.

Regular rainfall was essential for ancient cultures with limited irrigation systems. When Jacob sent his sons from Canaan to buy food in Egypt (Genesis 42), it was impossible to grow food where they were. They needed rain for their crops, but instead they had a massive famine. Can we imagine that kind of need? Access to clean water is essential for survival.

Zechariah reminded God’s people that the Lord is the source of rain. Zechariah’s prophecies were pastoral, emphasizing that God is at work in nature and is the source of the people’s power. We all need to ask God for his blessing and to live lives that reflect the source of that blessing. At that time, the people were rebuilding the temple of God in Jerusalem, so Zechariah reminded them that God calls everyone to turn away from sin and to serve him in faith.

The closing chapters of Zechariah begin pointing to the coming Messiah (Christ), the Savior. Not only does the Lord provide rain for everyone, but in the coming kingdom God will provide all that everyone will need.