Zacarías 8:7-17

7 Asi ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos: He aquí, yo salvo mi pueblo de la tierra del oriente, y de la tierra donde se pone el sol;

8 Y traerélos, y habitarán en medio de Jerusalem; y me serán por pueblo, y yo seré á ellos por Dios con verdad y con justicia.

9 Asi ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos: Esfuércense vuestras manos, de vosotros los que oís en estos días estas palabras de la boca de los profetas, desde el día que se echó el cimiento á la casa de Jehová de los ejércitos, para edificar el templo.

10 Porque antes de estos días no ha habido paga de hombre, ni paga de bestia, ni hubo paz alguna para entrante ni para saliente, á causa del enemigo: y yo dejé todos los hombres, cada cual contra su compañero.

11 Mas ahora no lo haré con el resto de este pueblo como en aquellos días pasados, dice Jehová de los ejércitos.

12 Porque habrá simiente de paz; la vid dará su fruto, y dará su producto la tierra, y los cielos darán su rocío; y haré que el resto de este pueblo posea todo esto.

13 Y será que como fuisteis maldición entre las gentes, oh casa de Judá y casa de Israel, así os salvaré, y seréis bendición. No temáis, mas esfuércense vuestras manos.

14 Porque así ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos: Como pensé haceros mal cuando vuestros padres me provocaron á ira, dice Jehová de los ejércitos, y no me arrepentí;

15 Así tornando he pensado de hacer bien á Jerusalem y á la casa de Judá en estos días: no temáis.

16 Estas son las cosas que habéis de hacer: Hablad verdad cada cual con su prójimo; juzgad en vuestras puertas verdad y juicio de paz:

17 Y ninguno de vosotros piense mal en su corazón contra su prójimo, ni améis juramento falso: porque todas estas son cosas que aborrezco, dice Jehová

Zacarías 8:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

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.