Zacharie 8

1 La parole de l'Éternel des armées me fut encore adressée en ces mots:

2 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Je suis jaloux pour Sion d'une grande jalousie; je suis jaloux pour elle avec une grande indignation.

3 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel: Je reviens vers Sion; j'habiterai au milieu de Jérusalem; et Jérusalem sera appelée la ville fidèle, et la montagne de l'Éternel des armées, la montagne sainte.

4 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Il y aura encore des vieillards et des femmes âgées, assis dans les places de Jérusalem, ayant chacun son bâton à la main, à cause du grand nombre de leurs jours.

5 Et les places de la ville seront remplies de jeunes garçons et de jeunes filles, qui se joueront dans ses places.

6 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Si cela semble difficile aux yeux du reste de ce peuple en ces jours-là, sera-ce pourtant difficile à mes yeux? dit l'Éternel des armées.

7 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Voici, je vais sauver mon peuple du pays du Levant, et du pays du Couchant.

8 Je les ferai venir, et ils habiteront au milieu de Jérusalem; et ils seront mon peuple, et je serai leur Dieu, dans la vérité et dans la justice.

9 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Que vos mains se fortifient, ô vous qui entendez aujourd'hui ces paroles de la bouche des prophètes, au temps où la maison de l'Éternel des armées a été fondée et son temple rebâti.

10 Car, avant ce temps, il n'y avait point de salaire pour le travail de l'homme, ni de salaire pour le travail des bêtes; et pour ceux qui allaient et qui venaient, il n'y avait aucune paix à cause de l'ennemi, et je lançais tous les hommes les uns contre les autres.

11 Mais maintenant je ne serai pas pour le reste de ce peuple comme aux premiers jours, dit l'Éternel des armées.

12 Car la semence prospérera, la vigne rendra son fruit; la terre donnera son produit; les cieux donneront leur rosée, et je mettrai les restes de ce peuple en possession de toutes ces choses-là.

13 Et comme vous avez été en malédiction parmi les nations, ô maison de Juda et maison d'Israël, ainsi je vous délivrerai, et vous serez en bénédiction. Ne craignez point, et que vos mains se fortifient!

14 Car ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Comme j'ai résolu de vous faire du mal, quand vos pères ont provoqué mon indignation, dit l'Éternel des armées, et que je ne m'en suis point repenti,

15 Ainsi j'ai résolu au contraire, en ces jours-ci, de faire du bien à Jérusalem et à la maison de Juda. Ne craignez point!

16 Voici les choses que vous devez faire: Dites la vérité, chacun à son prochain; rendez la justice dans vos portes, selon la vérité et pour la paix.

17 Et ne méditez point dans vos cœurs le mal l'un contre l'autre, et n'aimez point les faux serments, toutes ces choses que je hais, dit l'Éternel.

18 La parole de l'Éternel des armées me fut adressée, en ces mots:

19 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Le jeûne du quatrième mois, le jeûne du cinquième, le jeûne du septième, et le jeûne du dixième mois deviendront pour la maison de Juda des jours de joie et d'allégresse, et des solennités heureuses. Mais aimez la vérité et la paix.

20 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: Il viendra encore des peuples et des habitants de plusieurs villes;

21 Et les habitants de l'une iront à l'autre, et diront: Allons, allons supplier l'Éternel, et rechercher l'Éternel des armées! Je veux y aller, moi aussi!

22 Et plusieurs peuples et de puissantes nations viendront chercher l'Éternel des armées à Jérusalem, et y supplier l'Éternel.

23 Ainsi a dit l'Éternel des armées: En ces jours-là, dix hommes de toutes les langues des nations saisiront le pan de la robe d'un Juif, et diront: Nous irons avec vous, car nous avons appris que Dieu est avec vous.

Zacharie 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

The restoration of Jerusalem. (1-8) The people encouraged by promises of God's favour, and exhorted to holiness. (9-17) The Jews in the latter days. (18-23)

Verses 1-8 The sins of Zion were her worst enemies. God will take away her sins, and then no other enemies shall hurt her. Those who profess religion must adorn their profession by godliness and honesty. When become a city of truth and a mountain of holiness, ( zechariah 8:4-5 ) describe a state of great outward peace, attended with plenty, temperance, and contentment. The scattered Israelites shall be brought together from all parts. God will never leave nor forsake them in a way of mercy, for this he has promised them; and they shall never leave nor forsake him in a way of duty, as they have promised him. These promises were partly fulfilled in the Jewish church, betwixt the captivity and the time of Christ's coming; and they had fuller accomplishment in the gospel church; but the full import must be as to the future times of the Christian church, or the future restoration of the Jews. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible; so far are God's thoughts and ways above ours. In the present low state of vital godliness, we can hardly conceive that so complete a change can be made; but a change thus extensive and glorious, can be brought to pass by the almighty power of the new-creating Spirit, in less time than he was pleased to employ in creating the world. Let the hands of all who labour in the cause of the gospel be strong, serving the Lord in true holiness, assured that their labour shall not be in vain.

Verses 9-17 Those only who lay their hands to the plough of duty, shall have them strengthened with the promises of mercy: those who avoid their fathers' faults have the curse turned into a blessing. Those who believed the promises, were to show their faith by their works, and to wait the fulfilment. When God is displeased, he can cause trade to decay, and set every man against his neighbour; but when he returns in mercy, all is happy and prosperous. Surely believers in Christ must not trifle with the exhortation to put away lying, and to speak every man peace with his neighbour, to hate what the Lord hates, and to love that wherein he delights.

Verses 18-23 When God comes towards us in ways of mercy, we must meet him with joy and thankfulness. Therefore be faithful and honest in all your dealings; and let it be a pleasure to you to be so, though thereby you come short of the gains others get dishonestly; and, as much as in you lies, live peaceably with all men. Let the truths of God rule in your heads, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Thus the ancient servants of God drew the notice of heathen neighbours, whose prejudices were softened. A great increase to the church shall be made. Hitherto the Jews had been prone to learn the idolatries of other nations: what more unlikely than that they should teach religion to their conquerors, and to all the principal nations of the earth! Yet this is expressly foretold, and it came to pass. Hitherto the prophecy has been wonderfully fulfilled, and no doubt future events will explain it further. It is good to be with those who have God with them; if we take God for our God, we must take his people for our people, and be willing to take our lot with them. But let not any one think that mere zeal, either for Jews or Gentiles, will stand in the place of personal religion. Let us be living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men, so that others may wish to go with us, and to have their portion with us in the realms of bliss.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 8

This chapter contains promises of various blessings to the people of the Jews; and exhortations to each of the duties incumbent on them; and is concluded with a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. The cause of all the blessings promised is the love of God to them, signified by zeal, or jealousy for them, Zec 8:1,2. The blessings promised are the Lord's return to dwell in Jerusalem, and the integrity and holiness of that city, Zec 8:3. The long life of the inhabitants of it, and the plenty of children that should be born in it, Zec 8:4,5 and, however wonderful and incredible this might seem to some, it was not to the Lord, who was determined to bring his people that were in various distant countries to Jerusalem, and settle them there; and renew and reestablish his covenant with them, Zec 8:6-8 wherefore the Lord encourages them to go on in rebuilding the temple, Zec 8:9 and promises them that things would be better with them than in times past; that whereas there had been nothing but penury, affliction, and distress, now there should be great affluence and prosperity, Zec 8:10-12 and though before they were a curse among the nations, now they should be a blessing; and though their fathers were punished, they should be dealt well with, Zec 8:13-15 and then they are exhorted to the discharge of several duties mentioned, to which they are induced by the Lord's hatred of that which is evil, and by his turning their fasts into cheerful feasts. Zec 8:16-19 to which is added a prophecy of the calling and conversion of the Gentiles, which would make for the glory of the Jewish church; who are described by their numbers, being many people, and the inhabitants of many cities; by their association together, to pray to the Lord, and worship him; by their coming up to Jerusalem for that purpose; and by their junction with the Jews, to which they will be encouraged by having heard that God is with them, Zec 8:20-23.