W
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E have endured enough bad news
concerning the Jews and Jerusalem. Prophet after prophet has unpacked for us
the dreadful transgressions in Israel's past and the manifold curses that they
have encountered for their guilt. It is refreshing here to read about a coming
time of perfect peace in Israel, and such a marvelous peace that it almost
seems surreal to read its description. There have been many centuries of
suffering in the holy land, but that will eventually come to an end. God's jealous and angry absence will be replaced
with His blessed approving presence. What a day that will be!
Read the following word picture
as a simple example of this future reality: "The
streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets
thereof' (Zechariah 8:5). That's just part of what it will be like when God
is again accepted as THE God of Israel (Zechariah 8:8). Truth will dominate,
Jews will return to their land and the whole world will look to Palestine and
to the Jews with yearning and appreciation (Zechariah 8:23).
These were the wonderful promises that Zechariah
was allowed to share with the Jews as they worked on the rebuilding of the
temple (Zechariah 8:9). It isn't hard to see that such good news would have
been quite a boon to the spirit of those workers. A new day was dawning (Zechariah
8:11). Prosperity and success were
within view (Zechariah 8:12), yet we should admit that to this very day we are
still awaiting the fulfillment of the promise.
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