Zechariah 8

The word of the LORD Almighty came to me. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.” Zechariah. 8:1-2

Baldwin comments, “Without any transition the prophet switches from the outworking of God’s wrath to the reassurance of his loving concern.” [1] God immediately assures Israel of his everlasting jealousy, love and concern for the City of Zion. The Hebrew words used here are very expressive. Utley says: “‘Exceedingly jealous’ …comes from a term for dying a cloth an intense color. It came to be used for facial expressions showing deep emotions.” [2] What we have represented here are the very deepest and intense human feelings.

When we come to the subject of Zion we come to something that is greatly perplexing to modern and postmodern ears. However, the subject was well-known and much better understood by previous generations of Christians. The old hymns written in the last two or three centuries testify to this fact. Zion was the longing in Christian hearts in those days. Preachers preached a lot about Zion and even before there was a Modern Israel, the Pilgrim Fathers of America talked and sang a lot about Zion. Some of the old hymns resulting from this early emphasis are: “ We’re Marching to Zion”… “Zion Stands With Hills Surrounded”…“O Zion Haste.” We seldom hear these old hymns anymore and I don’t believe I have heard a regular preacher speak on the subject of Zion for at least fifty or sixty years.

The problem we face as Christian people today is that the concept of Zion has been cleverly politicized. This has happened over the last hundred years as Palestinians and other Islamists have used the term to vilify, on a worldwide scale, the newly established state of Israel. Thus, it has become a term which is “not politically correct” to many people. In fact, it might now be one of the most toxic and politically incorrect terms on earth.

So, what really is the significance of the word “Zion” in the Bible? Is the term still important to God’s people? The word is mentioned over 160 times in scripture. That is a respectable number of occurrences. Even “hope,” one of the three pillars of Christianity, is mentioned only 161 times. This immediately tells us that Zion is an important concept.

The actual name “Zion,” probably means “citadel,” and was first applied to the stronghold of the Jebusites captured by David. This stronghold was afterward also called the City of David (2 Sam. 5:7). Later, the term was applied to the Temple Mount and then expanded to include the whole city of Jerusalem (2 Ki. 19:21). Finally, the term was even applied to the people of Israel (Isa. 51:16). Centuries afterward, both the prophets and the New Testament writers further expanded upon it to include many of the spiritual realities that we now hold dear.

Thus the concept of Zion probably represents one of the most elaborate and complex spiritual ideas ever revealed to the heart of man. It ultimately encompasses the whole idea of God’s rule and reign on earth. Within this concept are the ideas of salvation, perfection, glory, joy, peace, rest, fulfillment, victory, holiness and many other beautiful realities.

We see that Zion is the final goal of Christianity although this has been woefully misunderstood. We might just say that the church will eventually flee Babylon, or the confusion of religion, and go home to Zion. So, let us say it plainly so all may understand, the church is about to go home to Zion. This is prophesied in Isaiah 51:11: “The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (cf. Heb. 12:22-24). This verse is pregnant with both natural and spiritual significance.

The Bible warns us saying: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem [Zion], may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy” (Psa. 137:5-6). Our Bible also exhorts us in Psalm 122:6, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This is not just a one-time prayer as we can see from that strange verse in Isaiah 62:7 which says: “and give him [God] no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.”

These prayers put us in alignment with God’s great and eternal purposes because he says of Zion or Jerusalem: “…this is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it” (Psa. 132:14). When you are God and you desire something you are certainly able to have it. He says through the prophet Ezekiel: “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever…” (Ez. 43:7; cf. Jer. 3:17). We can imagine how God feels as peoples and nations try their best to pollute, politicize, steal away and even destroy his beloved Zion. In Zechariah 1:14-15 God already said: “…I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure….” Since God is extremely jealous for Zion shouldn’t we Christians feel the same way? After all, we are his children and our spiritual destination is Zion itself as we see here.

“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” (8:3). From the uniform testimony of scripture, we are told that God will eventually come to live in Jerusalem or Zion. Why would God choose to live in a little mountain town? We have no idea. We just know that the Almighty God longs to live in Jerusalem and someday he will live there among the Israelis and all his people forever. We probably remember how the presence of God left Jerusalem in the days of Ezekiel (Ezek. Chs. 10-11). [3] Now that presence is destined to return and will never leave.

During the dozen or so years that my wife and I lived in Jerusalem, we often repeated the promises made by the Lord to the city. We would call her things like “The Faithful City,” “The City of Truth,” and “The Holy City.” We just wanted to get ourselves used to his terminology because someday everyone will be saying such things.

Scenes Of Great Peace

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age.” Zechariah 8:4

We can suppose that there were not so many aged men and women in the company of returnees. The long, exhausting trip from Babylon as well as the difficulty of life in the partially restored land would have just been too much for the elderly. [4]

This vision actually gives us a peek into what we know as the Millennial Age. This age should begin with the sounding of the trumpet and the initial appearance of the Lord Jesus. How can we describe this age since it is partly hidden from us? Jesus will not come and immediately take over this world as we often suppose. We must realize that the final establishment of his reign here is in fact a rather lengthy process.

Although we do not fully understand the peculiarities of this age and it leaves us with many questions, we had best believe in its existence until we understand it better. We can perceive some things about the Millennium. Shortly before it begins, the beast and the false prophet will be thrown into hell (Rev. 19:20). Never again will people be deceived by the false prophet. Satan himself will then be bound for a thousand years and will not be able to tempt people and nations (Rev. 20:2-3). The world will enter an age of peace and tranquility unknown since the Garden of Eden. The Messianic government will be fully established on the earth. In Micah 4:3-4 we read of this period. The law of God will begin to regulate all affairs on earth. The prophet pictures this law of God as going out from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:3).

In reflecting on the Millennial Age, we can perhaps see it as a prototype kingdom of God on earth, probably designed to display God’s righteousness before angels, principalities, powers and people. It is also designed to display the glory of the Messianic government before all nations. The unleashing of the devil after this age may be for a similar purpose. It may be designed to illustrate to all his hopelessly evil intent, and the righteousness of God’s final judgment against him. This must be a really important thing to God.

The Millennial Age may also be looked upon as a transition period between heaven and earth. While it has heavenly qualities, it also still has earthly ones. For instance, the Lord will reign with his victorious and resurrected saints for this thousand-year period (Rev. 20:6). Yet, some people will apparently still grow old and even die. They will also still build houses, plant vineyards (Isa. 65:20-21) and do many other natural things. In this period the wolf and the lamb will feed together (Isa. 65:25) and the small child can play safely with a cobra (Isa. 11:8). It is of note that at the end of the Millennium, wicked people in the flesh will once again rebel against God. They are indeed fleshly people indicated by the fact that they will need to be buried when they die (Ezek. 39:11-16). Like we say, there are a lot of things about the Millennial Age that we do not yet understand.

“The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there” (8:5). My wife and I had the great privilege of living many years in a mostly restored Jerusalem. It was not the least bit strange to see lots of old people on the sidewalks as well as crowds of boys and girls playing in the streets. In fact, on the holy day of Yom Kippur, there is no traffic and the usually busy city streets are totally given over to young people with bikes and skateboards. It is a sight to behold! While children are very safe in Israel, Wiersbe says, “In today’s man-made cities, the elderly and the children aren’t safe in the streets or anywhere else!” [5]

Again, we cannot emphasize too much that the Millennial Age is full of mysteries. During that period apparently, Jesus will purge much evil out of the world and prepare it for the revelation of his holy wedding that will happen after the Millennium (Rev. 21:2).

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?’ declares the LORD Almighty” (8:6). Perhaps this verse makes more sense in the New Revised Standard translation: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the LORD of hosts?” (Zech. 8:6 NRS). Baldwin comments: “Evidently the population was so depleted that the thought of an abundance of people of all ages seemed too good to be true.” [6] Guzik adds, “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.” [7]

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God’” (8:7-8 ). Significantly, the “west” is mentioned here. Jamieson and company point out that the dispersion of that day was only to the east, to Babylonia. They were certain that another future return to the land would be necessary (cf. Isa. 11:11-12; 43:4-6; Ezek. 37:21; Amos 9:14-15). [8] Their commentaries were written in the 1870s, just a mere ten years before the Jewish people began their second and worldwide return to the land of Israel.

It was my great privilege to live in Jerusalem toward the end of last century. In December 1991, Communist rule in Russia ended followed by its end in all the countries of the USSR. As a result, the long-imprisoned Jewish people began to return home to Israel. They began to come at the astounding rate of around 30,000 a month. In fact, during the remainder of the century over a million “Russian” Jews came home. That was quite a stretch for a little country with scarcely over four million in population. In fact, at that very time, we saw Isaiah 43:5-6 become fulfilled. God says: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth…” In addition to the Russians coming home from the north, in one weekend (May 1991) there was a massive secret Israeli airlift that brought 15,000 Ethiopian Jews home. So, suddenly they came from the north and the south, exactly fulfilling Isaiah 43. Shortly before, they all were held captive in both places.

The Blessings Of Obedience

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’” This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 8:9

There is always a practical side to God’s dealings with his people. There are things we all must do in order for God to do all the wonderful things he wants to do. In that day the people of God had to rebuild the temple. It was absolutely necessary for God’s plan to succeed. In a few generations the Messiah of Israel would stand in that temple (the Second Temple) and reveal himself to Israel. The prophets who were present when the foundation of the temple was laid were only Haggai and Zechariah (Hag. 1:1-11; Neh. 12:16). [9] Together they brought forth this very same message.

“Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor” (8:10). Baldwin says, “Agricultural prosperity depended on right relationships between men and God, as did peace and stability.” [10] We have only to look at the little book of Haggai to see how dismal the situation was before temple construction began. The people planted plenty but harvested little; they ate but never had enough; their clothes did not keep them warm; their wages did not help them (Hag. 1:5-6).

“‘But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (8:11). The people could now say, “Happy Days Are Here Again!” In every age, it is amazing how good things go if God is with us. Likewise, it is amazing how bad things go when we turn away from God.

“The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people” (8:12). Under the Old Covenant, blessing was strictly tied to obedience. There are some preachers today, of the Prosperity Gospel variety, who would like to make us think the same rules apply to Christians. While we can say that God wants to bless his people (Psa. 3:8), we cannot say that God always gives prosperity. Wiersbe says, “God’s covenant with Israel declared that he would punish them physically and materially if they disobeyed him, but bless them if they obeyed him (Deut. 27-28; Lev 26). However, he has no such covenant with Christian believers today.” [11] The Old Covenant promised long life for obedience but Stephen obeyed and yet died young as a martyr. The Old Covenant promised all kinds of physical blessings and comforts but Paul went without proper food and clothing on occasions (2 Cor. 11:27). It is true that the principles of Christianity do tend to bring blessing and success, however, this is by no means guaranteed. Wiersbe comments here: “He does not say, as he did to the Old Testament Jews, ‘If you obey me, I will bless you.’ Rather, he says, ‘I have already blessed you—now, in response to my love and grace, obey me.’” [12]

“Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong” (8:13). We cannot help but note that Israel is included here with Judah although that nation had been dispersed among the Gentiles since 722 BC. It was always God’s will to bring his dispersed people back home and indeed, some of them are returning to modern Israel today. Because of their disobedience they became a curse among the nations. Because of obedience, they will become a blessing. For instance, modern Israel is a blessing to the nations already, especially in the area of cyber technology. The prophets indicate that this blessing upon the nations will grow much more profound in the last days (Mic. 5:7).

Once again in this verse God commands the people to “be strong” (cf. v. 9). Which simply means that they must get to work and build the house of the Lord.

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid’” (8:14-15). Henry says, “those who avoid their fathers’ faults have the curse turned into a blessing.” [13] The world-renowned Bible scholar Derek Prince adds: “Everything we shall ever need, for time and eternity, is already provided. The only condition for remaining in this perfect provision is believing and obeying the Word of God.” [14]

“‘These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,’ declares the LORD” (8:16-17). It is unfortunate for us but we have almost seen truth disappear in the last century. David Dockery, editor of The Challenge of Postmodernism, an Evangelical Engagement, says: “72 percent of Americans deny the existence of absolute truth, and few have confidence in the historical accuracy or ethical authority of the Bible.” [15]

The popular Christian philosophic writer Nancy Pearcey says of our situation: “The very meaning of the word true has been distorted. It no longer means that a statement matches what really exists in the world but only that it matches my inner experience.” [16] Robert Ringer adds: “People say they love truth, but, instead, they try to make true that which they love.” [17]

With but a little reflection we can understand that truth is the basis of a stable society. Everything must be built on truth. Even our economic systems depend upon truth and honesty to a large degree. Of course, the courts should be bastions of truth. What a crazy world we inherit if we make a practice of lying to each other.

True Celebration Of The Lord’s Feasts

The word of the LORD Almighty came to me. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.” Zechariah 8:18-19.

Finally, the prophet comes to answer their earlier questions about fasting. We remember that the fast of the fourth month was in memory of Jerusalem’s walls being breached (cf. Jer. 39:2; 2 Ki. 25:3). The fifth month fast was in memory of the destruction of the temple (2 Ki. 25:8-9). The fast of the seventh month was in memory of Gedaliah’s death (cf. 2 Ki. 25:25). Finally, the fast of the tenth month was in memory of the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (cf. 2 Ki. 25:1-2; Jer. 39:1). [18]

Meyer says, “So entirely would the memory of the past be obliterated that fateful anniversaries would soon fade from their minds.” [19] In fact, all these fasts would now become glad and happy festivals. As we mentioned previously, the fast of the fifth month is still held in Israel as a time of mourning for the temple’s destruction. It will possibly take the beginning of a new temple to ever eradicate the sorrow of this particular festival. We might note however that the old Wailing Wall has been renamed as the Western Wall or the Kotel. It has often become a place of celebration and joy rather than wailing.

Israel must realize that God himself is the reason for celebration. Athanasius once said, “Let us go quickly to the Lord, who is himself the feast.” 20 Baldwin adds: “This well of joy cannot turn bitter or dry up because the Lord himself is its source.” [21]

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, “Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going”’” (8:20-21). Once again the prophet looks far into the future, likely to the Millennial Age. After the awful Battle of Armageddon, there will be a new era of peace and blessing that will reach the ends of the earth. During this time new attention will be turned upon Israel and Jerusalem. The city will be truly called “Sought Out” as Isaiah 62:12 has said. The God of Israel will, at last, be honored (cf. Isa. 2:3; 60:3; Mic. 4:1-2; Rev. 15:4). Baldwin says, “Jerusalem will be the rallying-point for huge processions, intent on finding the secret of joy and gladness, truth and peace, that the Jews enjoy.” [22]

“And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him” (8:22). We have to say by this verse that something really drastic has changed in the world. Israel who has been traditionally mocked, hated and cursed will suddenly become sought out by powerful nations the world over. Here we begin to see the ancient call of Abraham finally realized: “…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:3). Again, this is likely a snapshot of the Millennial Age that is to come.

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you”’” (8:23). The number ten in the Bible is the number of completeness. [23] According to Jewish understanding, to take hold of the robe meant to become a disciple of the Jewish way or at least a “God-fearer.” [24] As Boice says today, “We are all clinging to the seamless robe of that one 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.” [25]

Footnotes

1. Baldwin, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, p. 148.

2. Utley, Free Bible Commentary, v. 8:13.

3. Pett, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, v. 8:3.

4. Guzik, Enduring Word, Zechariah, vs. 8:4-5.

5. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 1512.

6. Baldwin, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, p. 150.

7. Guzik, Enduring Word, Zechariah, v. 8:6.

8. Jamieson, et al., Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, v. 8:7.

9. Baldwin, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, p. 151.

10. Ibid.

11. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 1513.

12. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT (Colorado Springs, David. C. Cook, 2007), p. 605.

13. Henry, Matthew Henry Concise Commentary vs. 8:9-14.

14. Derek Prince, War in Heaven (Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2003), p. 101.

15. David S. Dockery, ed., The Challenge of Postmodernism, an Evangelical engagement (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1995), p. 365.

16. Nancy Pearcey, Saving Leonardo, A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, & Meaning (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2010), p. 30.

17. Robert Ringer, Restoring the American Dream (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2010), p. xxi.

18. Utley, Free Bible Commentary, v. 8:18-23.

19. F. B. Meyer, Commentary on Zechariah, F. B. Meyer’s “Through the Bible” Commentary. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/fbm/zechariah-8.html. 1914, 8:18-23.

20. Ferrekiro, ed., Ancient Christian Commentary of Scripture, XIV, The Twelve Prophets, p. 256.

21. Baldwin, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, p. 155.

22. Ibid.

23. Ibid., p. 156.

24. Guthrie, et al., The New Bible Commentary, p. 794.

25. Quoted in Guzik, Enduring Word, Zechariah, v. 8:23.