Zechariah Sermon Series: Sermon 21
1-5-25 – Pastor Martin Saine
Zec 8:7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. Zec 8:8 I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.’ Zec 8:9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, you who have been hearing in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, who spoke in the day the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD of hosts, that the temple might be built. Zec 8:10 For before these days there were no wages for man nor any hire for beast; there was no peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in, for I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor. Zec 8:11 But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the LORD of hosts. Zec 8:12 ‘For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew. I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these. Zec 8:13 And it shall come to pass that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’ Zec 8:14 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Just as I determined to punish you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘And I would not relent, Zec 8:15 so again in these days I am determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear.’
Last week, we closed with Romans 8:31-39. As a reminder, verses 31-32 say: Rom 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Rom 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Rom 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” As we read God’s promises to Israel through Zechariah and as we see by faith that God is working to bring all these things to pass, we can have hope in whatever situation we find ourselves, knowing that God is faithful in ALL things that He promises! Our response to God’s promises to Israel should be the very same as their response—YES and AMEN! Also, we know that the closer God gets to fulfilling and completing His promises to Israel, the closer He is to completing His promises to the Church. If the restoration of Israel is close, how much closer is the Rapture of the Church and our blessed hope of Jesus’ promise to us in John 14:1-3: Joh 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. Joh 14:2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
While we wait for His appearing, we are called to abide and be about our Father’s business.
In Zechariah 8, we see God’s call for Israel in light of their promise:
Zec 8:16 “These are the things you shall do: (these are standing orders with no expiration date…) Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace.”
SEE Zech 7:8-10: Zec 7:8 “Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, Zec 7:9 ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Zec 7:10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.”‘”
Psalms 15: Psa 15:1 “A Psalm of David. LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? Psa 15:2 He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. Psa 15:3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend. Psa 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the LORD; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change. Psa 15:5 He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
Proverbs 12:17-19: Pro 12:17 “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit. Pro 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. Pro 12:19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Eph 4:25 “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.”
Zec 8:17 “Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; and do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ says the LORD.”
The blessings bestowed upon Israel in accordance with God’s Word will cause them to be a light to the nations, bringing hope and joy in the fulfillment of His promises.
