Zec 8:1-8 | 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 8:1-8

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.

The Second Blessing

The LORD has departed from Jerusalem because of the persistent sins of the people. This is described by Ezekiel (Eze 8:3 ; Eze 9:3 ; Eze 10:3-4 ; 18-19 ; Eze 11:22-23). But the LORD comes back. That happens when the Lord Jesus – He is Yahweh – will come to His people with blessing. If He returns to the city, it is only possible if faithfulness and holiness are to be found there (Isa 1:26; Zep 3:13). This will be the case in Jerusalem. The city “will be called the City of Truth”.

Mount Zion, on which the temple will be built, will be called “the Holy Mountain”. That is not only a name, but the mountain will be truly holy. It is a mountain that is separated from all other mountains to be alone and totally dedicated to Yahweh. In the book of Isaiah, Yahweh calls this mountain “My holy mountain” several times (Isa 11:9 ; Isa 56:7 ; Isa 57:13 ; Isa 65:11 ; 25 ; Isa 66:20). Other prophets do the same (Jer 31:23; Joel 2:1 ; Joel 3:17; Oba 1:16 ; 17; Zep 3:11; Dan 9:16 ; 20).

The Third Blessing

This scene will become reality in the Messianic realm. That is still the future, but this look into the future is for the moment an encouragement for Zerubbabel and his people. This scene is a consequence of the truth and holiness of the previous verse. These have an effect among God’s people of harmony and joy.

With the coming of the Lord Jesus peace has come, the war is over. Everyone, even the weakest and most defenseless members of society, can be in the streets, or squares of Jerusalem without fear of advancing hostile armies. The ages will again be those of before the deluge (Isa 65:20 ; 22). The promise of a long life is regarded by the Jews as one of the greatest blessings of God’s government. It is the reward for obedience (Exo 20:12; Deu 4:40).

The offspring will be numerous, healthy and happy. The children can play carefree. There is no more threat of war and related death or imprisonment. The hatred of the world has been stifled. The streets will be full of children playing and not of protesting people. Now the streets are still dangerous places for children, both because of traffic and of crime.

Playing children is something God also enjoys (Mt 11:16-17). Parents may take an example of this. Playing children and the enjoyment of it by the old people is a matter of God’s joy. It is not a waste of time. Old and young will live together in harmony. The scene of prosperity and contentment contrasts sharply with the poverty, confusion and dissatisfaction in which we live.

In the church the literal situation described here may already be present spiritually. There is, if all goes well, no generation gap. There is also room for the development of each stage and revelation of spiritual life. We must give boys and girls all spiritual help that is possible, both in word and example.

They are two opposing age groups, the old men and old women and the boys and girls. The old people are so old that they support their trembling limbs with a stick. On the other hand, we see children radiating energy with a joy that smiles at life. In both categories we see the goodness of the Creator.

The children are at the beginning of life. Everything in them has yet to develop. They can count on God’s help in this. With the very old we see that He has helped them, their whole long life long. He has guided them through all the changes, opportunities and dangers of this fragile life, even in the period in which they have seen their strength diminish.

The Fourth Blessing

The fourth blessing is an encouragement in view of the previous blessing. The scene painted in the previous verses seems an impossibility. Also for us it is hard to imagine when we look at the world situation. But for God nothing is too difficult (Gen 18:14). We can count on Him for the realization of His will. The complicated life of today will give way to an uncomplicated life in the realm of peace.

There is then nothing that is harmful to life. Everything that makes life now so difficult and sometimes unbearable, all mental and physical illnesses and even death (Isa 65:18-25), all jealousy and striving for more, are then past tense. Everyone will be perfectly happy with his part and be able to enjoy it completely. They will invite others to enjoy it (Zec 3:10). And all because God dwells in their midst.

The Fifth Blessing

We see that God Himself manipulates everything. Human effort is not asked for, even not expected. It is completely beyond man’s ability to realize God’s plan. In order to realize His plan, God Himself will save His people from all corners of the world wherever they are as prisoners (Zec 8:7). From the east, where the sun rises, and the west, where the sun sets, they will come (Psa 50:1; Mal 1:11).

He will bring them to Jerusalem (Zec 8:8; Isa 11:11-12 ; Isa 43:5-6; Eze 37:21; Amos 9:14-15). They may live where He dwells. This means that they will enjoy His presence. It also means that He enjoys their presence. They are His people and He will be their God.

This will be the case because they will then completely correspond to “truth” and “righteousness”. “In truth” God will fulfill all His promises and “in truth” the people will enjoy the promises. God does this “in righteousness” because His right has been fulfilled through the work of His Son on the cross. As a result, His people will share the blessing “in righteousness”.