ZECHARIAH 8:1-8
"THE CITY OF TRUTH"
The remnant people have been told what disobedience to the Word of God had brought to pre-exiled Israel and what it would bring to them in chapter seven. In chapter eight they are told the glorious blessings of what repentance and obedience to the Word of God would bring. The previous strong rebuke prepares the way for this positive portion. God’s nature demands He judge continued unfaithfulness but His delight is to bless His people. It is the same old theme throughout the Old Testament that where there is obedience there will be blessings and where there is continued disobedience there will be judgment.
The incentive of future blessings is held out to the present as reason for repenting and living a heart-emanating kind, compassionate and righteous life. So here we have the assurance of full kingdom blessing for Zion and Jerusalem.
I. THE ZEAL OF LOVE, 1-2.
II. THE RESULTS OF HIS RETURN, 3-6.
III. THE GATHERING OF HIS PEOPLE, 7-8.
Chapter seven, particularly verses 8-14 looked back into the past and applied the lessons taught by history to the contemporary scene of its day. Chapter eight envisions the future but applies the lessons taught by prophecy to the contemporary scene of the prophet’s own day. It applies the magnificent far-distant (millennial) hope as the basis for immediate inspiration and encouragement of the people of Zechariah’s day afflicted as they were by poverty, hardship, and persecution. Thus we have an important lesson concerning prophetic Scriptures. The exposition of prophetic Scriptures should be intertwined with moral applications and spiritual challenges to its present day audience.
I. THE ZEAL OF LOVE, 1-2.
A new word from the Lord in verse 1 makes this a new section. "Then the Word of the Lord of Hosts came saying,"
Here again, as in chapter seven, the claim is divine revelation. This Word is not of, or from themselves but from the mouth of the Lord. Over ten times in this chapter the name Lord of Armies occurs and some twenty two times the name LORD or YHWH occurs.
So wonderful are these promises, so outstanding are these blessings prophesied that the doubtfulness of man refuses to accept them. Thus every single one of them was guaranteed by the omnipotent God and the repetition of divine names in these promises emphasizes the certainty of their fulfillment.
In verse 2 we encounter the first of ten usages in chapter eight of the prophetic announcement, "Thus saith the LORD of Hosts." "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes with great wrath I am jealous for her."
Once again thus says the LORD of Hosts. The repetition of this divine title, the Lord of Armies, buttresses the divine authority behind the assertion (1 Sam. 17:45). The One who has marshaled the armies of both the terrestrial and celestial spheres gives this Word.
He is "exceeding jealous for Zion." The word "jealous" denotes color produced in the face by deep emotion - becoming intensely red, an arduous, zealous passion. In fact our English word jealous is from the Latin word zelus - zeal.
Zion is the place of spiritual leadership. Because His love for Zion is so great He is jealous on her account. The zeal of His strong love for Zion’s welfare leads Him to come to her rescue when enemies afflict her. His jealousy comes with great wrath (hot, heat or fury). The thought is that His jealously is displayed in punishing those who hate Him or His people. (Ex. 20:5; Duet. 5:9).
The community’s repentance will cause a distinct change in the direction of His wrath. The great wrath had been against pre-exilic Israel and a warning had just been issued that it could turn against the remnant if its worship was not sincere or not out of the heart (7:14). Now the wrath is turned to protect and cherish a remnant. God will not allow anyone or anything to disrupt His desire to see them blessed (Ezek. 36:5-6; Joel 2:18; Nah. 1:2). Thus the contrast of past, the present, and the future is made.
[Zion denotes the spiritual center of Jerusalem. The basic distinguishing fact about Zion was God’s divine presence. Zion was also used to describe the place of the LORD’s future redemption (Isa. 4:5; 28:16; 33:5, 20; 62:1), where He will come as Savior (Isa. 24:23; 59:20). The name of the place is frequently extended to denote its inhabitants (Isa. 51:16).
The fervent love of YHWH for His people will manifest itself not only in His wrath and indignation against legalistic religion and an oppressive world system but also in the maturing of personal relationship with Him.]
II. THE RESULTS OF HIS RETURN, 3-6.
Verse 3 prophesies Jesus’ return to Zion. "Thus says the LORD, ‘I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.’"
Full restoration is assured by the Word of God and will be accomplished by the zealous love of God for the God ruled ones. One day Jesus Christ will reign in His earthly kingdom for God will manifest His conquering love by returning to Zion.
What is meant by the Lord’s return to Zion? Is it the Shekinah Presence of God which was removed from the Temple in Ezekiel 11:22-23, when it was written Ichabod, the Glory of the Lord has departed? (Ezek 9:3; 10:4-18). Yes, but it means far more also. It means the second advent of Christ in His glory. The Messiah will return with great wrath and triumph over His enemies. For only the visible return of the Messiah will fulfill these (1:16; 2:10) and other prophecies concerning this time (Ezekiel 43:2-5, Hosea 5:15; 6:3). Not only will the Messiah’s return bring His kingdom but it will also cause His divine presence to dwell in Jerusalem. The Hebrew word is Shakham; meaning "to settle down, abide, remain, reside." The Lord will establish His presence "in the midst of" Jerusalem. His return and dwelling in Jerusalem will cause the exaltation of Jerusalem. She will become the governmental capital and religious capital of the Millennial Kingdom when our Priest-King returns.
Notice the impact of the LORD’s presence with His people. Jerusalem will then be known as the City of Truth (Irha-emeth). Why? Because the God of Truth (EL-emeth) will be in her midst. Zephaniah 3:13 prophesies that the inhabitants will no "longer work iniquity or speak lies."
‘Truth’ refers to what is certain and dependable. The LORD is the God of Truth (Ps. 31:5), and thus His word and laws are also truth, or true (Ps. 119:30 43, 151, 160). Consequently, truth should also characterizes those who have put their trust in God and pattern their conduct after His standards (8:16; Ps. 15:2; 26:3; 86:11).
The mountain of the LORD of Hosts or Mount Zion will be called the Holy Mountain. For God’s presence separates it from all other mountains. It is set apart because true holiness has sanctified it (Zech. 14:20-21, Isa. 2:3). ‘Holy’ also indicates it will be set apart for divine use or service (Ex. 19:23; 40:10; Num. 16:5, 7, 38).
The LORD’s presence with His people will sanctify the city and the mountain, effectively transforming the way His people live, not just in an outward ceremonial respect as the people did before, but in inner reality also. This is, of course, begun with the indwelling of the Spirit in the church (Jn. 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:16). It will find its final fulfillment in the New Jerusalem, where God lives with His people (Rev. 21:3) and banishes all that is impure, shameful and deceitful (14:20-21; Rev. 21:27). [Makay, Focus on the Bible, Zechariah, ]
Verses 4 & 5 depict the peace, prosperity, and security of the renewed Jerusalem’s inhabitants. "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, ‘Old men and women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of age. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.’"
When spiritual issues are right, God generally attends them with physical blessings. The establishing of [spiritual] peace with God will be the fore-runner of social peace. So here is a beautiful picture of peace and security in the restored and flourishing Jerusalem as a result of Messiah’s return. At long last undisturbed tranquility will come to Jerusalem so that even the more helpless and dependent extremes of the age scale will suffer no anxiety or abuse. Those unable to take care of themselves illustrated by those that need a cane to walk and by children engaged in care-free abandon will not be taken advantage of so that they may sit or play peacefully in the streets.
Today in so many places even in nursing homes and houses the aged are victimized by evil people both financially, emotionally and spiritually. The tragedy of child abuse be it sexually, physically, and even mentally from perverted teaching is taking a gruesome toll. But in that day even these groups most susceptible to being preyed upon will enjoy unbroken safety and comfort.
[SAFE STREETS] Most older people in large cities don’t venture out by themselves at night. They are afraid of being mugged. Now even our youth are being cautioned. Police in a major U. S. city issued this warning: "Young people, if you are wearing expensive clothing, you are not safe on the streets." This announcement followed the shooting of a 13 year-old boy by thugs who wanted his $125 gym shoes. A law enforcement officer explained, "the hoodlums hang around schools and wait for the newest ‘status’ clothing to show up. Then they start preying on the kids who wear these things."
The prophet Zechariah declared that the unsafe street situation will be solved when Christ returns. He gave us a picture of the elderly feeling perfectly safe outside their homes, and he portrayed children enjoying themselves at play in the streets of Jerusalem.
Because of the sinfulness of mankind, the prospect of safe streets will not be fully realized until Jesus Christ establishes His rule over the earth. But that doesn’t mean we should sit back and do nothing. Maybe we can make our communities safer than they are. We can support and vote for officials who will provide us with good laws. We can cooperate with law enforcement agencies. And we can pray for our governmental leaders, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness" (1 Tim. 2:2). What makes people good Christians will also make them good Citizens. So let’s fulfill our responsibilities as Christian citizens and help make the streets safer again. [Our Daily Bread]
Lord, for our leaders we would pray
and ask that they would choose Your way,
Instruct them how to put down strife,
That we may lead a peaceful life.
Verse 6 looks forward to the day when God realizes all the seemly impossible dreams and hopes of His Word. "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, ‘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 Hosts."
Another result of the earth’s restoration will be the exemplification of divine power. Does it seem to be impossible that any place, much less Jerusalem, should be so splendorous, serene and secure? But just because it seems too difficult for us to imagine, does that mean it is impossible for God to bring it about?
So many concerns we have today about ourselves, our churches, our nation, our world look beyond a just solution. Today’s complicated issues appear beyond man’s ability to rectify. But the Lord is able to bring the seemingly impossible to reality (Jer. 32:17, 23, 27; Mt. 17:20; 19:26). So even what may seem too difficult a task for us today will be accomplished by our Lord then. The things which are naturally impossible are not supernaturally impossible. When we look away from human improbabilities and natural impossibilities to the almighty covenant keeping God we will not stagger through unbelief at even one of His promises.
I trust that each of you have personally experienced the supernatural power of the Living God, the Creator of the universe, because of the fact that the One who was dead and is made alive is supernaturally residing in your life.
III. THE GATHERING OF HIS PEOPLE, 7-8.
The Lord again guarantees that He will keep His covenant in verse 7 and will gather His people from throughout the whole world. "Thus says the LORD of Hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the rising and from the land of the setting."
God is going to save His remnant people. Those people who by their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior have come to be His people. He is going to save the saved by delivering them from their tribulation and persecution among the lost peoples throughout the earth. He will deliver them from a situation of peril to one of safety.
He will gather them from exile, bondage, and dispersion (Isaiah 11:1-12; 43:5-6; Jer. 30:7-11; 31:7-8).
The prophecy from the rising of the sun to the setting of the sun is crouched in language that embraces the entire world. These opposites are used to express totality [but we are unsure of the extent of time but most likely it is just the those living at that time is indicated.] He will not forget even one of those who have claimed Him for their own.
In verse 8 the Lord promises a restoration of the covenant bond that links Him and His people together. "And I will bring them (back), and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem, and they will be My people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness."
The allusion is probably to Jerusalem not so much as the actual residence of all the people (yet the city will be without walls or boundaries as Zech. 2:4 states), but as the place where God would bring them to worship and learn. It may be as in times past when the tribes from all parts of the land went to Jerusalem for the great festivals. The restoration of favor and blessing is seen in the covenant words, "They will be My people and I will be their God." So it is not merely a physical restoration but mainly a spiritual restoration. They will never leave or forsake Him in reference to duty and God will never leave or forsake them in reference to salvation.
This restored remnant are those who are truly His people so that He is to them truly their God. The relationship of the Remnant will be as it ought to be (Hos.1:10, 2:25; Jer. 11:4, 30:22, Ezek.11:20) or in truth and righteousness (be ‘meth u- bhits’akah). The relationship is no longer ritual or pretense but His people do and be what is right and proper because their heart’s desire is a true and righteous walk (Hos. 2:19-20, Jer. 32:38-41).
This promise of forgiveness and restoration has been extended to all of God’s people where ever they may be found. Come to Him and experience the renewal of covenant relationship.
CONCLUSION
A small group of exiles had return from to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and city. The struggle for survival and the opposition from neighbors discouraged them. They needed to take hope in the belief that God Himself would one day reign and bring in a age of peace and prosperity.
Just like them we need to remember that our God is all-powerful. He can do anything! When we confront a seemingly impossible task, remember and believe that, "with God all things are possible" (Mt. 19:26).
[There is great contrast between chapter seven and chapter eight. In one is the warning of wrath and the other the protection of wrath. In one was the removing of blessing and the other the full restoration of blessing. The purpose of both is the same, repent and live righteously. In chapter seven, God’s people are to repent and live righteously in light of punishment and here they are to repent and live righteously because of the promise of future restoration.
Thus God uses negative and positive motivation. He uses what is necessary to heighten our interest into heartfelt repentance and genuine service.
But the key note here is that there is a great restoration awaiting the people of God.]
