Zechariah 8

CHAPTER 8

The Lord Promises to Bless Jerusalem (8:1–23)

1–3 After the warnings of the previous chapter, the Lord now gives the people of Judah words of hope and encouragement. He has warned the remnant of Jews in Judah because He is jealous for them (see Zechariah 1:14); He longs for them to prosper. Indeed, in verse 3, He tells them: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem” (see Zechariah 1:16; 2:10–12). Then the mountain of the LORD (the temple mount in Jerusalem) will be called the Holy Mountain, because the Lord will make it His earthly dwelling place.

4–6 The Lord promises that Jerusalem will be so peaceful and secure that the oldest and youngest members of society will be safe on its streets (verses 4–5). The remnant¹⁸ of Jews—those saved from the Babylonians—will consider it marvelous that their city is so safe, but it will not be marvelous to God; with Him, everything is possible (Genesis 18:14; Mark 10:27).

7–8 Not only will the Lord prosper the “remnant” in Judah but He will also add to it; He will save (gather) His people from the east and the west—from everywhere they have been scattered—and He will be their God and they will be His people; the covenant between God and His people will continue (see Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12).

9–13 Here God again encourages the remnant to finish building the temple. He reminds the Jews how difficult things were during the sixteen years they stopped working on the temple, but now because they have resumed work He will deal with them differently (verse 11):He will bless them (see Haggai 2:15–19). He will make the land fruitful (verse 12); He will save (gather and restore) the scattered Jews (verse 13) and make them a blessing to the world (see Genesis 12:2–3).

14–17 God will indeed reverse the fortunes of His people. Instead of punishing His people for their disobedience (Leviticus 26:14–39), He will now reward them for their obedience (Leviticus 26:3–13). But the people, of course, must continue to obey; in verses 16–17, the Lord summarizes some of His key covenant commands (see Zechariah 7:9–10).

18–19 Here the Lord finally answers the question about fasting that had been asked earlier (see Zechariah 7:3). The answer is: there will no longer be a need for fasts commemorating the fall of Jerusalem and related events. Instead of fasting there will be feasting! Days of mourning will be replaced by happy festivals.

20–23 Here the Lord gives the greatest promise of all: not only will Jews be gathered to Jerusalem but many peoples (Gentiles) will come as well (see Isaiah 2:1–4 and comment). This will be the true fulfillment of God’s original promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:2–3). Jerusalem will not only be the center of Judah but it will also be the center of God’s kingdom throughout the world (see Isaiah 55:5; 56:6–7; Mark 11:17; Galatians 3:8,26–29).

When will all this take place? In those days (verse 23)—in the days when Jesus comes again to reign. Then one Jew will attract ten—many—Gentiles; when non-believing Gentiles see the godliness of God’s people, they will be drawn to God. True godliness always attracts others to God; when people see Christ in us, they will want to know Him too.