August 22, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Zechariah? Here’s today’s reading:
Zechariah 8 (NIV)
The Lord Promises to Bless Jerusalem
1 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.
2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”
3 This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”…..Continue Reading
Zech 8:3 sounds like a time yet to come, and I think it could be when Jesus returns to earth to rule and reign, perhaps in the new earth age. Verse 8 reflects Rev. 21:7.
As bad as things were in Zechariah’s time, as it is now, and as it will be, there comes a day of peace and truth. Jesus comes soon. -gy
Yes I agree Gordon these events are speaking more of the millennial reign of Christ but God speaking through Zechariah is still encouraging the people to fear not but to let their hands be strong. God is also requiring them in the present to tell the truth to their neighbor, to execute the judgement of truth and peace in their gates. Also to not imagine evil in their hearts and love no false oaths. To hate what God hates and love what God loves. [ verse 16, 17 ] During the millennial reign of Christ people will from many nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before Him. How we are to respond as believers is as God has commanded His people. We are to be lights to the world reflecting Him. For example we are to be truthful and be kind and loving to others. This doesn`t mean condoning sin but rather a good example for we live in Christ and He lives in us. We are a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5;17.
Prosperity and abundance are from the Lord. Thanking him for these things in my life. We don’t have millions but we have abundAnce..
God wants sincerity in our worship/prayers/acts of service.
God upholds the virtues of truth, justice, and peace.
What great love God had for his creation to accept gentiles into the fold.
This chapter is full hope and restoration. It struck me how each thing started with “The Lord Almighty says…” and it made me think stop and listen! When God speaks His words are true, His words mean something, and most importantly He never goes back on his word. We spend a lot of time talking, making promises and plans and many of the things we say mean very little. With good or bad intention we let people down with our words all the time. But God’s Words are so important and He doesn’t waste them on nonsense or use them for any purpose other than to teach us and love us and they are always true and we can always count on them to come to pass!
The wording and references at the beginning and end of the chapter are consistent with what we see described in Revelation of the end times, but so much of the chapter is directed to Zechariah’s generation, there may be aspects of what is shared about what God will do that were fulfilled in their time as well. But it is clear that God is willing to do a new work with them and bless and provide for them in the way He had always wanted. The prosperity and fruitfulness of the land mentioned here are all consistent with how God said He would bless Israel’s obedience. God always desires to do good for His people and so it is often up to us what His efforts towards us are like. That is why it is no surprise that He gives direction of how they should act, particularly towards each other. It really shows that so much of the law is summarized with just loving people and doing to them what we would want done to us. And when we are doing what God wants us to do and He then is able to move, provide and use us, then people will de drawn to us and wonder what a relationship with God is like and at times, want the same.
The Lord says how it will be. His description is indeed marvelous.
‘If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days,
Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’
Says the Lord of hosts.
Zechariah 8 God is always faithful when we are faithful
Zechariah 8
Zechariah 8
Zechariah 8
The Lord loves it when we:
Administer true justice, portraying sound judgment in our courts
Show mercy and compassion to one another.
Speak the truth in love to each other
Love truth and peace
He hates it when we:
Oppress people who are the lowly such as the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, & the poor
Plot evil against each other and swear falsely