The future for Jerusalem...
Zechariah receives another word from the Lord of hosts:
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ Zechariah 8:2
There's a lot in that one short sentence. "exceedingly jealous" and "great wrath". God has strong emotions. That's reassuring to me. He can do it without sinning, so I'm not claiming it's the same, but it is good to see that strong emotions, just like everything else, expresses something about God.
Also, nonbelievers and replacement theologians should beware. After everything that has happened, this is still how God feels about His "wife". This statement is made after He got so done with them that He sent them into captivity. That's how much He cares about them in a net positive. And those who come against Zion should be so wary. He did specify Zion, so I think God is telling us how good the future is going to be for all of us. Here's His vision for the rest of us to see:
Thus says the Lord, ‘I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.’ Zechariah 8:3
God is coming back to Jerusalem to dwell. The City of Truth. How good does that sound? Holy Mountain! Where the Lord is, is truth. Where He is is Holy.
Then the Lord promises that old folks will again be safe to sit in the streets of Jerusalem. Also, young people will be safe playing in the street.
And here's the promise we're all counting on:
Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.’ Zechariah 8: 7–8
And blessedly, His promises are yes and Amen. His people (Israel and those of us grafted in) will be saved. Will be brought to Jerusalem, and he will be our truth and righteousness. That sounds like such a relief.
A Ryrie footnote pints out that some of this was fulfilled with the Maccabean revolt in the near term fulfillment, but the final fulfillment will be in the Millennial kingdom.
Verse 9 is a new paragraph and a new word from the Lord of hosts:
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, to the end that the temple might be built. Zechariah 8:9
So this feels important, but as I read it, it's a bit confusing. I think it means that we should be reflecting on what previous prophets have said, listen to the current prophets, and then ACT. Let your hands be strong. What the prophets have to say is essential, but in addition to listening, we have to be ready to act on what we hear and what's been said before.
He goes on to remind them that in the past there were times when the work was done for no wages. Also, there was no safety in travel, so they couldn't go anywhere safely. The Lord sent men against one another.
But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ declares the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 8:11
Again, what a beautiful promise for the future. Better days are coming.
‘For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’ Zechariah 8:12–13
Here's what those better days entails: peace for the seed. When seeds are planted, they will be able to grow. I suspect that means people as well as actual seeds. vine will successfully yield produce. The Lord will provide the dew/water needed for growth and life. The Lord provides. We have to train our eyes to see how much He does around us to give us life. We see that Israel is still a curse among the nations. We see what that looks like in real time. Even when they are attacked, they are accused of genocide. Christians are also slandered. We brought peace and prosperity to the world, but we're called fascists for it. But better days are coming. People will see the blessing and His name will be glorified in it. Better days are coming.
But also,
"Do not fear; let your hands be strong."
We don't sit around and wait for better days. We have to be rebuilding the Temple in our own season. We were placed in specific places at specific times for a reason. We have to stay busy being about our father's work.
Do not fear. Let your hands be strong. Better days are coming.
Starting in verse 14 the Lord reminds them how relentless He was when He was provoked to wrath, then promises equal relentlessness in doing good for Jerusalem. He promises that they do not need to fear. He will do good for them. And we see it happen for them in the near fulfillment- getting the Medo-Persian empire to fund and resource the rebuilding effort. Imagine what that will translate into in the final fulfillment!
In the meantime, here's what He expects of them (and us): speak the truth; judge with truth; judge for peace at the gates. He wants us to live with truth and peace as our goals. It's an interesting choice of what he wants from us, considering everything He could be asking for. He also tells us what NOT to do: do not devise evil in our heart and don't perjure. He hates lies and He doesn't even wants us considering evil in our hearts. He cares what we think about, not only what we do.
Verse 18 starts a new paragraph and a new word from the Lord of hosts for Zechariah. This is for all the marbles. This is the prophesy we're all looking for. It's a long passage, but you'll want to meditate on all of it. It's a blessing!
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’ “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I will also go.” So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.’ Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’” Zechariah 8:19–23
Better days are coming. Fasting will turn to feasting.
It's going to become obvious that God is with Israel and the whole world will come to the Jews to beg for help in seeking the Lord. And we're grafted into that vine.
Joy comes in the morning. Our job, in the meantime, is to love truth and peace and hate perjury and avoid devising evil in our hearts. Let our hands be strong while we wait. Without fear. The Lord is with us.
Amen.