Renewing Our Consecration To God’s Purposes Series

Intro

Our text today begins in Zechariah 8:9 with the words: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Let your hands be strong.’”i The word translated strong is chazaq. It means “to be strong, be courageous, be firm, be resolute.”ii God used this word three times when commissioning Joshua for the task of leading Israel into the Promise Land. In Joshua 1:6 the Lord said to him, “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Then he added in verse 7, “Only be strong and very courageous.” Then again in verse 9, God used the word to encourage Joshua in his assignment: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Notice the link in that verse of personal resolve and courage with the assurance of God’s presence and support.

Throughout Israel’s history, we find the word employed when encouraging people to resolutely accomplish the assignment God had given them to do.iii Psalm 31 concludes with this exhortation: “Be of good courage [chazaq], And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.” So, from the word of the Lord, I pass this encouragement on to you, “'Let your hands be strong.” Be resolute in your commitment to fulfill all that God has called you to do. God is with you. In His strength you can do it. That is the theme of our text today.

Overall, in Zechariah 7 and 8 God motivates His people in four stages:

(1) In chapter 7 He shows them what needs to change for a good outcome. He gives them clear direction on what they should do (Zech. 7:8-10). When God corrects us, He is always specific. It is never a general rejection with no course of resolution. It is always, “Do this and I will strengthen you and help you.” Our adversary, the Accuser, will tell you that you’re simply no good, and there is no hope. He leaves his victims with a sense of despair and hopelessness. But God’s correction points to a path that leads to a better life in the future. Life in God’s will is always a better life. So first God reveals the specific action to take for their own good.

(2) In 8:1-8 He gives them a picture of the end result that He has in mind for the nation. In their mortal lifetime, Zechariah’s generation will not experience the fullness of this revelation. The fulness of these promises will only be realized at Messiah’s Second Coming and the Millennium that follows.

So we might ask, “Why, then, does God share this revelation with them?” There are at least three important benefits in this for them.

1. In showing them the end He has in mind for the nation, God is assuring them of His favor. It is a source of hope that should encourage them to proceed.

2. In pursuing these things, they will experience some of the blessings in their mortal lifetime. That becomes clear in the rest of the chapter.

3. After their resurrection, they will participate in this golden millennial age.

So, the passage is important for Zechariah’s immediate audience, just as it is important for you and me. For we too will participate in that. We dealt with verses 1-8 last week.

(3) In 8:9-17 He encourages Zechariah’s audience to let their hands be strong, finish the temple, and live godly lives. This is our text today. It communicates the practical application of all that is being revealed.

(4) In 8:18-23 God again reveals His ultimate plan for the nation. Here He gives additional details as to what He will ultimately do for the nation. In this section, the question asked at the beginning of chapter 7 is more specifically addressed.

Our text today is the sixth oracles in this chapter. We know this is a new oracle because it begins with the words, “Thus says the Lord of hosts.” That’s the way these oracles are marked out in the text. Follow with me as we read Zechariah 8:9-13.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Let your hands be strong, You who have been hearing in these days These words by the mouth of the prophets, Who spoke in the day the foundation was laid

For the house of the Lord of hosts, That the temple might be built. 10 For before these days There were no wages for man nor any hire for beast; There was no peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in; For I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor. 11 But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,' says the Lord of hosts. 12 'For the seed shall be 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. 13 And it shall come to pass That 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.'”