Zechariah 8:1–13 (August 13, 2025)

The Coming Peace and Prosperity of Zion

8:1 And the word of the Lord of hosts came, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. 3 Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. 6 Thus says the Lord of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the Lord of hosts? 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, 8 and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”

9 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in, for I set every man against his neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the Lord of hosts. 12 For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 13 And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

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The Jealous Love and Restorative Power of God

Summary

Zechariah 8:1–13 is a message of hope to a discouraged, post-exilic community. The word of the LORD comes with a declaration of His deep, covenant love:

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath." (v. 2).

This is not petty envy, but a holy zeal for His people’s good and His own glory. God promises, “I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem” (v. 3), transforming the city into “the faithful city” and His mountain into “the holy mountain.”

4 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.

Verses 4–5 paint a vivid picture of restoration. Old men and women living long in peace, and boys and girls playing in the streets. This vision speaks of covenant blessing, safety, and life in abundance. Though it seems impossible to the remnant, God reminds them that nothing is too marvelous for Him (v. 6). He will gather His people from east and west, and they will once again be His people, and He will be their God in truth and righteousness (v. 7–8).

In verses 9–13, the LORD calls the people to take courage in rebuilding the temple. Before the foundation was laid, labor was futile, resources were scarce, and insecurity prevailed. But now, He promises peace: “The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew” (v. 12). Once they were a curse among the nations, but now God will save them, and they will become a blessing. Therefore, He exhorts them, “Fear not, but let your hands be strong” (v. 13).

Who is God?

God is the covenant-keeping King whose jealousy is not weakness but holy devotion. His return to dwell with His people shows that His presence is the source of restoration. He is the God who transforms wastelands into places of life and joy, where safety and peace abound. And He is the God who turns His people from being a curse to being a blessing among the nations, ensuring that His mission flows outward from Zion.

What is our Guilt?

Our guilt lies in doubting God’s promises when the present looks bleak. Like the remnant, we may measure the future by present resources or past failures instead of by God’s Word. We can also forget that restoration is not only for our comfort but for God’s glory among the nations. Our fear and discouragement often paralyze us, keeping us from laboring in faith.

How does Grace Shine?

Grace shines in God’s unchanging commitment to His people. He returns to dwell among them, not because of their worthiness, but because of His covenant love. He promises fruitfulness and peace, replacing the futility and hardship they once knew. In Christ, this promise reaches its fullness. God has come to dwell with His people. By His death and resurrection, He has made us the temple of the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we are gathered from every direction, turned from curse to blessing, and strengthened to work in hope until the final restoration in the New Jerusalem.

Prayer

LORD of hosts,

We praise You for Your jealous love that will not let us go. Forgive us for measuring Your promises by what we see rather than by who You are. Thank You for returning to dwell with Your people, for turning futility into fruitfulness, and for making us a blessing to the nations through Christ. Strengthen our hands to labor in faith, and fill us with courage to live for Your glory until the day when peace and joy fill every street of Your eternal city.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.