Zechariah 8 is a continuation of Zechariah 7, where the people asked whether they should weep and fast in the fifth and seventh month, as they have been doing for many years (Zech 7:3).

While God questioned their heart and intentions in the previous chapter, Zechariah 8 begins with God affirming His zeal for His people (Zech 8:2), before listing out His plans for them.

God's zeal towards His people

Firstly, God will return to Zion. This chapter begins and ends with God's abiding presence in Jerusalem (Zech 8:3, 23). With God in their midst, Jerusalem shall be filled with truth and holiness (Zech 8:3).

Secondly, God will bring His own people back to Zion from captivity (Zech 8:6-8). Though He previously punished them, He will now save the remnant of His people and allow them to prosper (Zech 8:11-13).

The city will be full of vitality as children will once again be playing in the streets, and the people of God will live to a full and healthy age as the elderly will once again be sitting by the streets (Zech 8:4-5).

Finally, God will not only bring His people back, but will also bring people from other nations to Jerusalem too (Zech 8:20-23). These people from every nation and language will also come to God's holy city, because they know that God abides with them.

What is our response?

Since God, out of His zeal and love, has promised to do so much for His people, His people should not be fasting and mourning in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months (likely due to the events in 2 Kings 25) out of routine and formality.

In this chapter, God also describes the response that He desires from His people in return.

Firstly, God responds to the initial question posed at the start of Zech 7, saying that rather than fasting and mourning, they should instead be filled with joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts (Zech 8:18-10).

Secondly, we should let our hands be strong (Zech 8:9-13). Though we may have faced troubles in the past (Zech 8:10), God promises that the work will prosper (Zech 8:11-13). Hence, unlike the Israelites who neglected the temple rebuilding work, we ought to let our hands be strong.

Finally, we ought to pursue justice and righteousness (Zech 8:16-17), and love truth and peace (Zech 8:19). This is because God is our God "in truth and righteousness" (Zech 8:8), and He comes to dwell in Zion that Jerusalem may be the "City of Truth" and a "Holy Mountain" (Zech 8:3).

Final Reflections

Zion and Jerusalem in the Old testament often point to the church in the New testament (Heb 12:22-23). The message of the post-exilic prophets is closely linked to us today.

"“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, So again in these days I am determined to do good To Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear."
Zechariah 8:14-15 NKJV

“Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’"
Jeremiah 32:41 NKJV

It's easy to forget or overlook God's love and zeal towards us. The Bible makes it clear that God is determined to do good for us, with all His heart and all His soul.

How do we respond today?

May we emulate our Lord and also rekindle our zeal towards His church, and may we love Him with all our heart and soul.