The Day of God's Feast

God has promised to do good to Israel once again in Zechariah 8. In fact, He promised to do them good just as passionately as He promised to discipline them for their sin. 

Zechariah 8:14–15 (ESV) For thus says the LORD of hosts: “As I purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the LORD of hosts, 15 so again have I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not.

And when they are restored, they are to live with hearts of compassion, honesty and justice toward one another. 

Zechariah 8:16–17 (ESV) These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; 17 do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD.”

Another thing God does in this chapter is promise to turn the years of fasting for their redemption out of exile into times of joyful abundance and celebration. Fasts become feasts when God redeems.

Zechariah 8:18–19 (ESV) And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 19 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

The land of Israel will be a place where others will long to dwell. They will be the enviable nation just as God had determined back in Deuteronomy. And pilgrims will come to seek the Lord in the land. 

Zechariah 8:20–21 (ESV) “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.’

The Lord reiterates that strong and vast numbers of people will come to seek the LORD in the land. 
Zechariah 8:22 (ESV) Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.

Not only will the nation be a desirable destination, but the Lord promises the Jews themselves will be desirable people.
Zechariah 8:23 (ESV) Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ”

Now the question is: when would this happen? Some suggest in the millennial kingdom. But I suggest that this has been happening since Pentecost! The Jews were the forerunners of the Gospel message in Acts. They brought that message to many nations and even as far as Rome. Moreover, the Apostles Peter, John, Matthew, and Paul are still read in the churches of the world for their insight into the Lord Jesus Christ. We know Him through them! 

God's promise has been fulfilled through the Holy Spirit at work in the Church. Jesus established a new covenantal people in His blood who bring the message of grace to anyone who would hear. And at this very moment, pilgrims who love our Lord visit the places where He and these men walked. The day of God's blessing on Israel has come, and we, in Christ share in that abundance!


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