WE BECAME A BLESSING THROUGH JESUS
Zechariah 8:14-23
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.’ ” (23)
chapter 8
14. This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me," says the LORD Almighty,
15. "so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.
16. These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;
17. do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.
18. The word of the LORD Almighty came to me.
19. 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."
20. This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come,
21. 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.’
22. And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him."
23. 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.’"
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. God had destroyed and punished Jerusalem and the Israelites because of their sins. But God says, “Just as I had determined.” Just as God was determined to bring disaster on the unfaithful Israelites, now he is determined to do good again in Jerusalem and Judah.
2. Is it because of anything that Jerusalem did? No! There was nothing they did that deserved good from God. But it was one-sided grace from God to do good again in this land.
3. In times of God’s grace, what does God want us to do? Speak the truth to each other, render sound judgment in the courts and do not plot evil. When God is with Jerusalem again, people will cling to the Jews and want to go with them because they have God. When God is with Jerusalem again, it will no longer be a land of curse but a land of blessing.
4. Likewise, we have done nothing that deserved God’s blessing. Our sin makes us a byword of a curse. But through Jesus’ death on the cross, we no longer are a curse, but have become a blessing. In Jesus Christ, we can speak truth, render true judgment, and not plot evil.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, who makes us live a blessed life in you.
One Word: Jesus, Immanuel, God is with us