Promise of Peace
In the last chapter we spoke a good bit about ritualism. In this chapter we speak about the other
extreme. Here in this chapter Zechariah
will put the emphasis upon conformity to God’s will.
God tells Zechariah that He will come and dwell among His
people. He will come to Jerusalem and be
with His people. Because He comes back
to Jerusalem, it will be called the faithful city.
But the profound effect of the presence of God is in the
inhabitants. People will grow old
there. This may not seem like a big
deal, but remember their context. They
are rebuilding a city that has been torn down because they themselves have been
in captivity for several generations. Hebrew
people haven’t been growing old at all in captivity! So for God to promise that there will be old
people in Jerusalem implies that the city will still be around in which they
can grow old!
However, Jerusalem will not just be full of old people. Young boys and girls will play in the
streets. So there will be a healthy mix
of intergenerational people. And the city
will be safe in which to play. Remember
that before Jerusalem fell, they were under siege for a few decades. It had been almost a century since children
had the freedom and the desire to play in the streets of Jerusalem!
This is what happens when God comes among us to dwell and we receive
Him. Sure, we as human beings will never
live in a utopia and we will always get things a little messed up. But when we are humble about our failings and
still live with God in our midst, things will go better.
To emphasize His point, God then speaks to those who have been a
part of the return from exile from the very beginning. He reminds them that times are changing. Life used to be difficult and dangerous in
the land during the exile and even when the refugees were returning. But now that they have undertaking the rebuilding
of the temple as well as their homes, God is going to allow them to sow
peace. God promises the people that He
will make them strong. Their remnant
will keep hold of the land.
Purpose
God then reminds the people about His promises and His own faithfulness
to His Word. Before the exile, God
purposed that the people would be destroyed and they were. Because of their rebellion, God promised that
they would reap the destruction that they sowed. God also reminds the people that He did not
relent. When His anger came due, it was
paid in full.
But now God promises that He will bring good. As His promises came true in the past, they
will likewise come true in the future.
When God purposes good for us it will happen just as often as when God
purposes judgment against us.
What do the Hebrew people need to do in response to this promise? Speak truth.
Render fair judgments. Make
peace. Do not devise evil for another
person. Do not enjoy false oaths. Again we see a common theme in the Minor
Prophets: God is about righteousness in the heart far more than He is about a
shallow yet public demonstration.
So what is the end of all of this promise? Why are the Hebrew people brought to this
moment of glory? Is it all about the
Hebrew people after all? Is it all about
their fame and glory and supremacy?
No. It is all about
God. People will come from far and near
because the Lord dwells in Jerusalem.
People will come because these people are in relationship with God. People will come to seek the Lord. Jew and Gentile alike shall desire to be in
the presence of God.
That day has begun to come.
Gentile did begin to come to God.
Then Christ came and even more Gentiles have come to follow God. One day in the future all people who remain
on the planet will come and seek God.
What a glorious day that will be.
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