Read Zechariah
7-8 & Revelation
19
To discover:
As you read consider what
God looks for his in his people.
To ponder:
Chapter
7 takes place two years before the temple is completed (7v1, Ezr 6v15). But it
is already becoming what it should be – the place people come to seek the LORD
(compare 8v20-23). So the people of the city of Bethel sent some men to ask the
priests and prophets whether they should continue to fast in the fifth month of
the year as they had for the last seventy, no doubt in mourning whilst the
people were in exile. We should remember Bethel
was previously a key site for Israel ’s
(the northern kingdom’s) idolatry. Things are starting to change. But God’s
response is given not just to these people but to all throughout the land and
to the priests: He asks whether it was really for him that the people fasted in
the fifth and seventh months, adding that it was for themselves that they
feasted too. The point is that it is no good going through the motions. God
looks at motivation. He seeks those who conduct their religious activity for
him, not for the sake of their own pride, self-satisfaction or pleasure. He
adds that this is just what he had proclaimed through earlier prophets when the
land was at rest and prosperous. It’s a good reminder during the feast of
Christmas. And in what follows, we see that if the people had learnt that
lesson their land would not have been lost. So God’s word then came to
Zechariah, stating that what he desires (and still does) is that his people
administer justice, mercy and compassion to one-another, not oppressing the
needy or thinking evil of each other (7v2-10). He explains that in the days of Israel ’s
prosperity the people hardened their hearts, refusing to listen to the law or
the prophets of verse 7, who were sent by God’s Spirit. So the LORD was very
angry and refused to listen to the people, scattering them among the nations,
and leaving the land so desolate that it couldn’t be lived in (7v11-14). The
implicit question God therefore puts to his hearers (and so to us) is whether
they will be any more devoted to him than their ancestors, or suffer a similar
fate.
The word of chapter 8 begins with
God’s burning and so intense jealousy for Zion ,
implying great desire for her exclusive love. This aptly follows the previous
oracle urging the people act from heart that are devoted to him. Now God
declares he will return to live in Jerusalem ,
which will be called the city of truth (ie. faithfulness) and holy mountain
(because it is set apart as the place of God’s presence). This implies God will
transform his people from their innate stubbornness. And so the city will
display the marks of God’s blessing, which to Zechariah’s hearers were people
living to old age and being fruitful in childbirth (8v1-5). God throughout is
God Almighty, stressing his ability. He therefore declares that although this
will seem marvellous to the remnant, it won’t to him, as it is easy for him to
achieve. And at its heart will be the covenant relationship in which he brings
his people back from east and west to be his people, with him as their God –
being faithful and righteous to them, no doubt in keeping his promises to the
patriarchs, and to blessing the people’s obedience (8v6-8). In the light of
this, he addresses them as those who heard the prophets (Zechariah and Haggai)
who were there when the foundation of the new temple was laid, and urges them to
strenuous work so it will be built (8v9).
Various contrast now follow to
highlight what this will result in. So, before this men and animals received
nothing back for their work (wages) and lived in fear of harm as God had turned
them against one-another. But now, God promises not to deal in that way with
the people. Now he will give rain and good harvests as an inheritance for this
remnant of survivors (the blessings of Deut 28-30). And whereas they had been
an object of cursing (ie. of scorn) among the nations, now God will save them
so they will be a blessing, in context, by drawing the nations to the LORD
(8v23, fulfilling Gen 12v3). Indeed, in promising this to Israel
(north) as well as Judah
(south), God implies something more than currently existed – in which
Israelites from the whole world would return. Again, with this in their sights,
the people are urged to hard work without fear (8v9-13).
The knowledge of our coming
blessing, should encourage us to wholehearted effort in the building of the
church too. But it should also motive us to godliness out of a loving desire to
please this God of grace, and out of delight in sharing in his kingdom. To this
end, the contrasts continue: Just as God had previously determined disaster,
now he is determined to do good so the people need not be afraid – presumably
of his wrath and so of being re-conquered by enemies. They are therefore to
speak truth to each other, act justly in the courts, not plot against each
other or swear falsely, as God hates such things. And returning to the fasts,
he says those of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become
joyful festivals, as there will be nothing more to mourn. In other words, the
people’s lives will be marked by joy (see Acts 2v46). So the people should love
truth and peace. More than that, many people from many cities will urge
one-another to come and seek and pray to the LORD (as prompted the vision,
7v1-2). Moreover, at a ratio of ten (signifying many) to one, many from
powerful nations will take hold of Jews and ask to go to the LORD with them
because they have heard he is with them (8v14-23). What a reversal of fortunes,
being fulfilled ever since Gentiles joined with the apostles and first Jewish
converts. They come with them into the temple of the church, and to God through
Christ.
Praying
it home:
Praise God for the
joy and blessing that mark being a Christian. Pray that in the light of it you
would work with strong hands to build his church.
Thinking
further:
None today.
If you receive
this post by email, visit bible2014.blogspot.co.uk
and make a comment.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment