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the objective of the rescue

Zechariah 8:1-23

Zechariah 8:1 The word of Yahveh of Armies came:
Zechariah 8:2 Yahveh of Armies says this: “I am very ready to fight for Zion; I will fight for her with great wrath.”
Zechariah 8:3 Yahveh says this: “I will return to Zion and live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of Yahveh of Armies will be called the Holy Mountain.”
Zechariah 8:4 Yahveh of Armies says this: “Old men and women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of advanced age.
Zechariah 8:5 The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in them.”
Zechariah 8:6 Yahveh of Armies says this: “Though it may seem impossible to the remnant of this people in those days, should it also seem impossible to me?”– this is the declaration of Yahveh of Armies.
Zechariah 8:7 Yahveh of Armies says this: “Notice – I will save my people from the land of the east and the land of the west.
Zechariah 8:8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.”
Zechariah 8:9 Yahveh of Armies says this: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words that the prophets spoke when the foundations were laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of Yahveh of Armies.
Zechariah 8:10 For prior to those days neither man nor animal had wages. There was no safety from the enemy for anyone who came or went, for I turned everyone against his neighbor.
Zechariah 8:11 But now, I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days” – this is the declaration of Yahveh of Armies.
Zechariah 8:12 “For they will plant in peace: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce, and the sky will yield its dew. I will give the remnant of this people all these things as an inheritance.
Zechariah 8:13 As you have been a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Don’t be afraid; let your hands be strong.”
Zechariah 8:14 For Yahveh of Armies says this: “As I resolved to treat you badly when your fathers provoked me to anger, and I did not relent,” says Yahveh of Armies,
Zechariah 8:15 “so I have resolved again these days to do what is pleasing to Jerusalem and the house of Judah. Don’t be afraid.
Zechariah 8:16 These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make valid and sound decisions within your city gates.
Zechariah 8:17 Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love perjury, for I hate all this” – this is Yahveh’s declaration.
Zechariah 8:18 Then the word of Yahveh of Armies came to me:
Zechariah 8:19 Yahveh of Armies says this: “The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth will become times of joy, gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah. Therefore, love truth and peace.”
Zechariah 8:20 Yahveh of Armies says this: “Peoples will yet come, the ones living in many cities;
Zechariah 8:21 the ones living in one city will go to another, saying: Let’s go at once to plead for Yahveh’s favor and to seek Yahveh of Armies. I am also going.
Zechariah 8:22 Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek Yahveh of Armies in Jerusalem and to plead for Yahveh’s favor.”
Zechariah 8:23 Yahveh of Armies says this: “In those days, ten men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

the objective of the rescue

The LORD’s rescue of his people will bring peace and prosperity. It will be an opportunity to witness to the goodness and faithfulness of God by a display of the goodness and faithfulness of the people toward him and each other. This is the objective of the rescue the gospel offers as well. The streets of the city should be full of signs of blessing, the elderly and playing children. This image is particularly delightful in a weary, strife torn land. It speaks of a well-being that the nations will envy.

LORD, give us the wisdom to display your goodness and faithfulness – even while we wait for the fulfillment of your promises.