Zec 8:1 | KingComments | STEP | This chapter is the sequel to Zechariah 7 and shows the other side. The chapter has two parts. Both parts are introduced by the statement that the word of the LORD comes to Zechariah ( ). The first part ( ) declares that, under certain conditions, the people are restored to the favor of God. The second part contains the answer to the original questions about fasting, the declaration of joy, and the spreading of the gospel ( ). Both parts can be further subdivided into ten parts which all start with the statement “thus says the LORD” ( ). We can speak of ten blessings which are the part of the people when they have been restored to God’s favor. For the third time the word of the LORD comes to Zechariah ( ; ). After the exhortations in the previous chapter now come the promises of blessing. The first promise is the encouragement of the LORD that He is “exceedingly jealous for Zion” and that “with great wrath”. He will not abandon His people. His heart continues to beat in grace for them and He will fulfill His promises. Twice He speaks here of His jealousy for Zion (cf. ). He expresses in a strengthening way His warm love for them, so that they will be deeply convinced of this. He wants to own the people completely and only for Himself and not share their love with anyone else.

‏ Zechariah 8:1

Introduction

This chapter is the sequel to Zechariah 7 and shows the other side. The chapter has two parts. Both parts are introduced by the statement that the word of the LORD comes to Zechariah (Zec 8:1 ; 18).

The first part (Zec 8:1-17) declares that, under certain conditions, the people are restored to the favor of God. The second part contains the answer to the original questions about fasting, the declaration of joy, and the spreading of the gospel (Zec 8:18-23).

Both parts can be further subdivided into ten parts which all start with the statement “thus says the LORD” (Zec 8:2 ; 3 ; 4 ; 6 ; 7 ; 9 ; 14 ; 19 ; 20 ; 23). We can speak of ten blessings which are the part of the people when they have been restored to God’s favor.

The First Blessing

For the third time the word of the LORD comes to Zechariah (Zec 8:1; Zec 7:1 ; 8). After the exhortations in the previous chapter now come the promises of blessing. The first promise is the encouragement of the LORD that He is “exceedingly jealous for Zion” and that “with great wrath”. He will not abandon His people. His heart continues to beat in grace for them and He will fulfill His promises.

Twice He speaks here of His jealousy for Zion (cf. Zec 1:14). He expresses in a strengthening way His warm love for them, so that they will be deeply convinced of this. He wants to own the people completely and only for Himself and not share their love with anyone else.