Thursday - Zechariah 8 - Blessings upon Jerusalem and the Jews

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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.