“The word of the Lord Almighty came to me. 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.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 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.’ And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people 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.’ ”” (Zechariah 8:18–23, NIV).
This response of the LORD of hosts is in response to the question posed in Chapter 7:2-3. These fasts had never been directed by the Lord. He was not pleased by any of them. But God promises to turn these fasts into joy and happiness. "They are to discontinue these empty expressions of false piety and to replace them with demonstrations of the true joy that springs from a right relationship to God." [1] "Therefore love truth and peace," God says. God always loves moral behavior instead of empty and useless ritual.
"The
manifestation of the kingdom will be attended by such a fullness of salvation
that Judah will forget to commemorate the former mournful events and will only
have occasion to rejoice in the benefits of grace bestowed by God" (Unger,
Zechariah, p. 148)." [2]
This joy and blessing will not be contained in Judah but extend around the world to even the Gentiles. Many nations will come and embrace this joy. “This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people 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.’ ”” (Zechariah 8:23, NIV)
"Ten men represents a complete group from the nations of every tongue who recognize that God is with his people and therefore who come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord." [3] "The
universalism with which the first part of the book ends is therefore not one of
expediency, brought about by dialogue or conference. It is the work of God,
initiated by him and mediated through his people." [2]
"This reminds us of God’s priorities for the new Jerusalem, the church. The community blessed with God’s presence is the one that takes seriously their covenant obligations to one another and the culture in which they dwell. The blessing of the nations typified by feasting is not possible if we do not “love truth and peace” (Zech. 8: 19)." [4]
Father, we are so bent on being together. We exalt the notion of being together. It's not a bad idea, in fact, I think You have placed that in us. From united nations to united churches we somehow believe that togetherness -- unity -- is great no matter what the cost. We are so deceived. We are like Israel engaging in self-imposed fasts that accomplish nothing. But I see in this text that when God's people are faithful to Him -- in word and deed, there is great joy. And great joy attracts people, not because of the idealism of unification, but because within joy, You exist. May our gatherings be greatly desired because people from all walks of life will say, "God is in this place." Even today, Father, in my life, may I reflect a winsome holiness that reflects to others, that I have been with Jesus. For it is in His Name that I pray.
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1. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1821). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
2. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/IV. The Problem of Fasting and the Promise of the Future (7:1-8:23)/E. Kingdom Joy and Jewish Favor (8:18-23), Book Version: 4.0.2
3. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (1761). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
4. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 7920-7923). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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