The tone changes dramatically as we move from chapter 7 to chapter 8. We go from correction and judgment to consolation and blessing. In chapter 8, the “Lord of hosts” (a phrase used 18 times in this chapter) promises national blessings for Jerusalem, the nation of Israel, and the nations of the world.
Despite the “great anger” that led Him to bring severe judgment on Israel for their resistance and rebellion (7:11-14), the “Lord of hosts” remains “jealous for Zion with great jealousy” and “great wrath” (8:2). He has returned to dwell in Jerusalem and plans to make it “the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain” (8:3). The Lord’s presence will bring peace to the city. Older men and women will sit peacefully in the streets, watching “boys and girls playing” (8:4-5).
While this beautiful vision for the future of Jerusalem may seem fanciful and unrealistic (“marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people”), it is not too difficult (“marvelous”) for the Lord to accomplish (8:6). The Lord of hosts promises to “save my people from the east country and the west country”, bringing them back to Jerusalem from where He scattered them (7:14; 8:8). His long-standing desire and purpose will be finally fulfilled: “they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness” (8:8).
This future vision is to have a present impact on the remnant in Jerusalem who hear these hope-filled words. The Lord’s promises are meant to inspire those in the midst of the reconstruction project to let their hands “be strong” so “the temple might be built” (8:9,13). They can do the work, knowing the favour of the Lord of hosts rests upon them. No longer will the Lord be withholding blessing (“no wage for man. . . or beast”—8:10); no longer will He be setting “every man against his neighbor” (8:10). Instead, the Lord will grant a “sowing of peace”, a productive harvest from the vineyard and the fields (8:12). Instead of being a “byword of cursing among the nations”, the Lord will make them a “blessing” (8:13).
In the same way He “purposed to bring disaster” on the previous, stubborn generation, He has now “purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah” (8:15). In light of this promise, the Lord of hosts calls them to live according to His Word and His will: “Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oaths” (8:16-17).
As His people receive His blessings and respond with obedience, there will be a change in the fasts commemorating disaster and demise: the fast in the fourth month for the breach of the walls of Jerusalem; the fifth month for capture of Jerusalem; the seventh month for the assassination of Gedaliah; the tenth month for siege of Jerusalem (8:19). These somber fasts will be transformed into “cheerful feasts” (8:19). The Lord’s gracious promises should prompt His people to “love truth and peace” (8:19).
But the vision for a glorious future doesn’t end here. There is a global blessing linked to the Lord’s plan for Jerusalem and His people. People from many “cities” and “nations” will see what God has done for Jerusalem and “come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord” (8:22). Those from “the nations of every tongue” shall find a Jewish person and say to him, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you” (8:23). The promise first given to Abraham about being blessed by God and becoming a blessing to the nations will finally and fully be realized (Gen 12:1-3).
Knowing God: Understanding His Person and Ways
The Lord is zealous to dwell in the midst of His faithful people. A major theme in Scripture, found in both Old and New Testaments, is God’s intent to have a people for His own possession: “And they shall be my people, and I will be their God” (8:8; Ex 6:7; Jer 30:22; Rev 21:3). This great passion in God’s heart (His “jealousy”—8:2) moves Him to dwell in the midst of His people through the pillar of cloud and fire, the Tabernacle, the Temple, the Incarnation, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the New Jerusalem. The privilege of God’s holy presence demands something from us: faithfulness and righteousness (8:8). Jerusalem must become a “faithful city” and a “holy mountain.” One day, in the new Jerusalem, this grand and glorious purpose will be fully realized (Rev 21:1-8; 22:1-8).
The Lord withholds and bestows blessing on His people and through His people. When displeased, the Lord can withhold favour, frustrating our plans for prosperity (“there was no wage for man or any wage for beast”—8:10) and peace (“I set every man against his neighbor”—8:10). When pleased, the Lord can cause His people to flourish: “The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew”—8:12). When God blesses His people, we can be a blessing to others: “And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing” (8:13: see also Gen 12:1-3).
The Lord’s presence with His people will draw many nations to come to Him. There will be a global impact caused by Lord’s dwelling among His people. “Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favour of the Lord” (8:22). The Lord’s presence among His people has an attractional pull on those “from the nations of every tongue” (8:23). The first fruits of this prophetic promise have been seen in the global growth of Christ’s church (Acts 1:8; 2:5-11). The fullness of this vision will come when Christ returns to Jerusalem at the climax of history (Rev 21:22-24).
Joining God: Moving with God on Mission
What seems impossibly difficult to us is no problem for the Lord of hosts. After setting forth a marvelous vision for the future of Jerusalem, the Lord asks His people a pointed question: “If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight?” (8:6). The Hebrew word translated “marvelous” has the idea of incredible or incredibly difficult (Job 42:3; Psalm 131:1). Here is a reminder of our need to see challenges in light of God’s greatness. The rubble of our past failures and the resistance of our spiritual enemies are no obstacle to the Lord Almighty when it comes to fulfilling His promises. Our level of confidence should be calibrated to His level of ability.
God’s promise of blessing in the future empowers our building for Him in the present. After revealing His plan for a glorious future for His people, the Lord calls them to faith-filled action: “Let your hands be strong . . . that the temple might be built” (8:9). God’s promised blessings inspire courage and strength in His people: “Fear not, but let your hands be strong” (8:13). Still today, God’s promises of a glorious future for His people should motivate us to be strong and to build for Him in the present. We give ourselves to serving His purposes, knowing He has given us great and precious promises.
Rick and Linda Reed 