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<h2><a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,'all');">Zec 8</a> - Jerusalem Restored</h2>
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<p>A. Israel restored to God's favor.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,'1-2');">1-2</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: My passionate love for Israel has not diminished.</p>
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<p class="c2">Again the word of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts came, saying, "Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her.' "</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts</span></b>: God introduces Himself with a title declaring His power and majesty. He is the <b><span class="cmscap">Lord</span><span class="c3"> of hosts</span></b>, "<b><span class="c3">hosts</span></b>" referring to the armies of heaven. The title itself is a wake-up call.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">I am zealous for Zion with great zeal</span></b>: The word for <b><span class="c3">zealous</span></b> in the ancient Hebrew comes from the idea "to become intensely red." It has the thought of a face becoming flushed with deep emotion. This shows that God is passionately concerned for His people.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,3);">3</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: Jerusalem will be restored.</p>
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<p class="c2">"Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span>: 'I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, The Mountain of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts, The Holy Mountain.' "</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem</span></b>: God's people and city will be transformed by the presence of the <span class="c6">Lord</span>.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth...The Holy Mountain</span></b>: Because of God's presence the city will be transformed into a place of truth and holiness. When God's presence is real and embraced in our life, we become <i>people</i> <b><span class="c3">of Truth</span></b> and <b><span class="c3">Holy</span></b> <i>people</i>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. In <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,18);">2Cr 3:18</a> Paul describes this process of transformation: <i>But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord</i>.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,'4-5');">4-5</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: Jerusalem will be a thriving, safe place.</p>
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<p class="c2">"Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.' "</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem</span></b>: Because of the rigors of returning to Jerusalem, there were probably few old people in the city, and their absence was felt. But the <span class="c6">Lord</span> promises that all that will change one day and young and old together will enjoy the city in safety. This was a significant promise because in Zechariah's time Jerusalem's walls were ruined and the city was not safe and secure for <b><span class="c3">old men and old women</span></b> or for <b><span class="c3">boys and girls playing in its streets</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets</span></b>: Dr. J. Vernon McGee took this as meaning that there would be no cars in the millennial Jerusalem.</p>
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<p class="c1">4. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,6);">6</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: Even if it is too amazing for you, is it too hard for Me?</p>
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<p class="c2">"Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: '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 <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts."</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of the people</span></b>: The promise of a transformed, prosperous, safe Jerusalem seemed a little too fantastic to believe when the city was half-built and the walls wouldn't be completed for another 60 years.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?</span></b> Just because it seemed too big in the eyes of man, it was not too <b><span class="c3">marvelous</span></b> for the <span class="c6">Lord</span>. As Jesus said, <i>"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',19,26);">Mat 19:26</a>)</p>
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<p class="c5"><span>i. "I remember when a boy being taken to see the residence of one of our nobility, and the good friend who took me noticed my astonishment at the largeness of the house. I was amazed at it, having never seen anything like it, and so I said, 'What a house for a man to live in!' 'Bless you, boy,' said he, 'this is only the kitchen!' I was only looking at the servants' apartments, and was astonished at the grandeur thereof; but the mansion itself was a far nobler affair. Oftentimes when you see what the Lord has done, you are ready to cry out, 'How can all this be? His goodness, his mercy, is it as great as this?' Rest assured that you have only seen a little of his goodness, as it were the kitchen of his great house: you have not seen the palace of the Most High, where he reveals his full power and splendor." (Spurgeon)</span></p>
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<p class="c1">5. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,'7-8');">7-8</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: Israel will be gathered, far more than the few who have returned thus far.</p>
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<p class="c2">"Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; I will bring them <i>back, </i>and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.' "</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west</span></b>: Proportionately, few among the exiles returned to the Promised Land. God promises a gathering from exile to come that will far surpass the present gathering.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness</span></b>: The gather God promises will not just be a <i>geographic</i> gathering, but a <i>spiritual</i> gathering. It won't just be that their address changes, but their heart also.</p>
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<p class="c1">6. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,'9-13');">9-13</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: take courage; finish the work, for I will bless you.</p>
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<p class="c2">"Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'Let your hands be strong, you who have been hearing in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, who <i>spoke </i>in the day the foundation was laid for the house of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts, that the temple might be built. For before these days <i>there were </i>no wages for man nor any hire for beast; <i>there was </i>no peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in; for I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor. But now I <i>will </i>not <i>treat </i>the remnant of this people as in the former days,' says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts. For the seed <i>shall be </i>prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these. And it shall come to pass <i>that </i>just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, let your hands be strong.' "</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Let your hands be strong</span></b>: This encouraging command was for those who had heard the words of the prophets <b><span class="c3">in the day the foundation was laid for the house of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts</span></b>. The foundation was set more than fifteen years before. Though they faced lack (<b><span class="c3">no wages for man</span></b>) and opposition (<b><span class="c3">no peace from the enemy</span></b>), God wanted them to find strength for the work (<b><span class="c3">let your hands be strong</span></b>) in His promise.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days</span></b>: God allowed a period of difficulty but would not allow it to last forever. He would bring prosperity and blessing to the once afflicted nation.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">You shall be a blessing. Do not fear, let your hands be strong</span></b>: Though their present state was lowly, God wanted Israel to trust in His promise of <b><span class="c3">blessing</span></b>, and let the promise encourage them to diligent, strong service.</p>
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<p class="c1">7. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,'14-17');">14-17</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: I am determined to bless My people.</p>
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<p class="c2">"For thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'Just as I determined to punish you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath,' says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts, 'And I would not relent, so again in these days I am determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear. These <i>are </i>the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; and do not love a false oath. For all these <i>are things </i>that I hate,' says the <span class="c6">Lord</span>."</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Just as I determined to punish you when your fathers provoked Me...in these days I am determined to do good</span></b>: God promises blessing to Israel instead of cursing, and He promises it on the principle of the Mosaic Covenant.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "God's strange work is judgment. His delight is to bless His people." (Unger)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">These are the things you shall do</span></b>: God promised blessing to an obedient Israel and cursing to a disobedient Israel (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,'1-2');">Deu 28:1-2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,15);">28:15</a>). If God will bless instead of curse they must fulfill their end of the Mosaic covenant, and gain blessing instead of curses.</p>
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<p>B. Feasting for fasting.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,'18-19');">18-19</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: in light of your glorious future, feasting is more appropriate than fasting.</p>
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<p class="c2">Then the word of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts came to me, saying, "Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'The fast of the fourth <i>month, </i>the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.'"</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">The fast of the fourth month...shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts</span></b>: Each one of these fast days remembered a tragic day around the fall of Jerusalem. God here promises blessing so wonderful that these mournful fasts will be transformed into <b><span class="c3">cheerful feasts</span></b> of celebration.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. G. Campbell Morgan says of these man-appointed fasts: "None of these things had been in the purpose of God for His people; they had resulted from their sins. The fasts therefore were the result of their sins. In jealousy and fury, the outcome of love, Jehovah would put away their sins, and so restore them to true prosperity. In that day, let them still remember and observe, only let the observance be a feast in celebration of God's grace, instead of a fast in memory of their sin."</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Therefore love truth and peace</span></b>: In light of God's promised blessing, His people should want to be more like Him - they should <b><span class="c3">love truth and peace</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,'20-22');">20-22</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: the nations will stream into Jerusalem, to seek the <span class="c6">Lord</span>.</p>
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<p class="c2">"Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of one <i>city </i>shall go to another, saying, "Let us continue to go and pray before the <span class="c6">Lord</span>, and seek the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts. I myself will go also." Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the <span class="c6">Lord</span>.' "</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Peoples shall yet come</span></b>: In Zechariah's day not many people wanted to come to a downtrodden city like Jerusalem. God promises a redemption so great that one day the <b><span class="c3">peoples shall yet come</span></b> to the glorified city.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts in Jerusalem</span></b>: This promise will ultimately be fulfilled in the millennial kingdom of Jesus. Jerusalem will be the headquarters of His kingdom, and the nations will come to <b><span class="c3">seek the <span class="c6">Lord</span></span></b> in Jerusalem.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',8,23);">23</a>) The <span class="c6">Lord</span> says: God will give Israel such favor that the nations will see God is with them.</p>
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<p class="c2">"Thus says the <span class="c6">Lord</span> of hosts: 'In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard <i>that </i>God <i>is </i>with you." ' "</p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man</span></b>: This same word <b><span class="c3">grasp</span></b> is used for grabbing a snake by the tail (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',4,4);">Exd 4:4</a>) or for grabbing a lion by its beard (<a onclick="return mV('1Sa',17,35);">1Sa 17:35</a>). It means to grasp something that you can't afford to let go of.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "This prophecy teaches, then, that Israel will be the means of drawing the nations of the earth to the Lord in the time of the Messiah's reign of righteousness upon earth." (Feinberg, cited in Barker)</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. "We are all clinging to the seamless robe of that <i>one</i> Jew, Jesus of Nazareth, who because of His work on the cross is the only basis on which anyone may approach God and entreat Him for spiritual blessings." (Boice)</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you</span></b>: When others see that God is with us, it attracts them to the <span class="c6">Lord</span>. When people see <i>Christ in you, the hope of glory</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Col',1,27);">Col 1:27</a>), they want to come to Jesus.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "God is never idle while he dwells in his people; for he cleanses away every kind of impurity, every kind of deceit, that where he dwells may ever be a holy place." (Calvin)</p>
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