Zechariah 8:1-8
1 Then the word of the Lord of armies came, saying,
2 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’
3 The Lord says this: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of armies will be called the Holy Mountain.’
4 The Lord of armies says this: ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each person with his staff in his hand because of age.
5 And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its squares.’
6 The Lord of armies says this: ‘If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?’ declares the Lord of armies.
7 The Lord of armies says this: ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west;
8 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.’
The Future Restoration and Prosperity of Jerusalem (1)
The Love for Zion
Today’s passage is a prophecy of things that would be fulfilled in a time future to the days of Zechariah. The Lord of armies said through Zechariah, “I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her” (v 2). This is a repetition of Zechariah 1:14. After 70 AD, the people of Israel were scattered throughout the world, and Jerusalem became a city ruled by the Gentiles. That condition continued for about 1,900 years, but in 1948 the people of Israel finally witnessed the restoration of their nation’s independence. This is evidence that the Lord has not abandoned Zion.
The future promise
“The Lord says this: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of armies will be called the Holy Mountain’” (v 3). “I will return to Zion” is a prophecy of the Second Coming. (1) The same prophecy appeared in Hos. 5:15-6:3. “I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their distress they will search for Me. Come, let’s return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us… His appearance is as sure as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, As the spring rain waters the earth.” This passage prophesies the repentance of the people and the Second Coming of the Messiah. (2) There is also a prophecy of the Second Coming in Matt. 23:37-39: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!’” This passage also prophesies that the repentance of the people is the condition for the Messiah’s Second Coming (to be continued next time). The theme introduced in chapter 7 was fasting, but at the beginning of chapter 8, it is prophesied that fasting (an expression of sorrow) will be turned into joy. This is a message of encouragement to a grieving people. Whatever sorrow we experience in this earthly life will one day be turned into joy. This hope gives us strength to live in the present.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, the people of Israel heard the message of hope concerning the Messiah’s Second Coming. I too have been made one who waits expectantly for the Messiah’s return. May I walk today with this hope. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.