Zechariah 8:14-23 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Zechariah 8:14-23. As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Zechariah 8:14-15 (NIV)
14 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you and showed no pity when your fathers angered me,” says the LORD Almighty,
15 “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.
On verses 14-15: Here God continues to give words of reassurance to the people of Judah. Notice how the word “determined” shows up twice in these verses. In His justice God determined (or purposed, decided, made plans) to bring disaster upon the people of Judah for their sins (v14) and now in His mercy He has determined to do good to these people again (v15).
What can we learn from this? God is sovereign. That means He can do whatever He wants to do and no one can stop Him. As the King above every king, God can do whatever determines to do. Thankfully God is not only sovereign in His power, but also compassionate in His mercy. We see this in verses 14-15 where God decides to show grace and do good to Jerusalem and Judah, instead of bringing disaster upon them.
Zechariah 8:16-17 (NIV)
16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;
17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.
On verses 16-17: God is just. He expects His people to speak truthfully, administer justice, and not to plot evil against one another. God hates lying, injustice and scheming.
Zechariah 8:18-19 (NIV)
18 Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me.
19 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.”
On verses 18-19: Here God promises that He will turn His people’s fasting into feasting, their mourning into dancing. God did that for us too when He sent His Son Jesus Christ for us. Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to heaven give us reason to rejoice and to dance. As David writes in Psalm 30:11, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy”.
When the end of verse 19 says “Love truth and peace”, I am reminded that Jesus is the truth (John 14:6) and Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). To love truth and peace means to love Jesus.
Zechariah 8:20-23 (NIV)
20 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come,
21 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.’
22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.”
23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten men 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.'”
On verses 20-23: Here God promises that one day people from other nations will turn from their idols to worship the Lord and they will look to the Jews to lead them to the Lord. God’s specially chosen people, the Jews, were meant to be a bridge between God and the Gentile nations that did not know Him.
What can we learn from this? God’s heart is for people of all nations to come to Him. Like the Jews, we are called as followers of Jesus to be a bridge between Him and the people around us who do not know Him. We are ambassadors for Jesus. May God use you to lead many others to Him.
Father, thank You for teaching me today that You are sovereign and just. You are truth and peace personified. You are the One who turns my mourning into dancing, and the One all nations will worship one day. May I live this day to give You worship in all that I do and say. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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