Zec 8:2-3 | TNotes | STEP | 8:2 Passion (or jealousy, zeal ) is a basic element of the Old Testament concept of God (see also 1:14 ). God’s passion identifies him as a personal deity, not an abstract natural force. God is passionate for his word and for the people of his covenant. His passion results in punishment for sin, restoration for repentance, and reward for the pursuit of righteousness.

a8:2►

b1:14►

c8:3►

d1:16-17►

eHag 2:4-7►

fEzek 48:35►

gZech 3►

hIsa 1:21►

iIsa 1:26►

‏ Zechariah 8:2-3

8:2 ^a Passion (or jealousy, zeal) is a basic element of the Old Testament concept of God (see also 1:14 ^b). God’s passion identifies him as a personal deity, not an abstract natural force. God is passionate for his word and for the people of his covenant. His passion results in punishment for sin, restoration for repentance, and reward for the pursuit of righteousness.
8:3 ^c I will live in Jerusalem: The great hope of the postexilic community was that the Lord would return to dwell among his people again (see 1:16-17 ^d; Hag 2:4-7 ^e; cp. Ezek 48:35 ^f).

• I am returning: God would return to Jerusalem not just because the Temple had been rebuilt but because the Hebrew community had been purified (Zech 3 ^g).

• Isaiah compared Jerusalem to a faithful woman who became a prostitute (Isa 1:21 ^h). Zechariah shared Isaiah’s vision of Jerusalem’s change into a Faithful City (or city of truth) again (Isa 1:26 ⁱ).