Scripture Reading : Zechariah 8
Theme : Encouragement to Exiles
God’s Favor to Israel (1-17). God assures the exiles of His love and jealousy for Israel. God’s jealousy is a pure, unchanging love for Israel, not a sinful husband’s jealousy of his wife because he does not trust her and is always suspicious. Because of His jealous love, God will bring back the exiles from the east and west countries (a merism for everywhere) and bless them in the land. They have no reason to be suspicious of God’s love for them. Instead, they ought to be filled with courage to build the temple and Jerusalem because God is totally for them. As long as they do not provoke God with their sins, but continue to love God’s truth and be at peace with their neighbors, God will bless them.
God’s Exaltation of Israel (18-23). God answers the original question about whether to continue to fast for the temple by saying in His future kingdom, Israel will not fast but will be rejoicing. In that kingdom, there will be world peace. All nations of the earth will want to go to Jerusalem to seek the Lord and worship Him. A new world order will be established by Jesus. Israel will be a kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:6). People will seek out Jews and go with Jews to seek the Lord in Jerusalem. This is the glorious future that faithful Jews can expect to inherit. All Christians will also inherit this glorious future because of our union with Jesus. Believers are complete in Christ.
Praying the Scripture
- God, we can be completely confident of your love for your people because you are jealous for us. You are faithful to those who humble themselves and take refuge in Jesus. Once you have chosen to love us freely in Jesus, we are completely safe in your arm. No enemy, neither satan or evil humans, can snatch us from your hand (John 10:29). We can be completely filled with courage and obey your commandments. Thank you for your salvation and thank you for preparing your future kingdom for both believing Jews and non-Jews. Let us live courageously in light of this glorious kingdom that you have prepared for us.
- It is incredible to think that lowly Israel will be the center of the world in the millennial kingdom. But this is the beautiful work of God so that all will be humbled. He humbles the proud and exalts the lowly (Deut. 7:7; 1 Cor. 1:28-29). He will transform lowly Israel so that everyone will know the power is not from man, but from God. Jeremiah 9:24, “Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.” Highest honor and praise to the King of Kings, Lord of Lords.
经文：撒迦利亚书8
主题：对流放者的鼓励
神对以色列的恩（1-17）。神保证自己是爱这些余剩的子民的，并为以色列极其火热，即对以色列有纯洁、不变的爱。因着这份爱，祂会把放流至东方和西方（比喻各地）的子民带回来，在那里祝福他们。他们没有理由怀疑神对他们的爱。反之，他们当壮胆建造耶路撒冷与圣殿，因为神完全与他们同心。只要他们不以罪恶激怒神，继续爱神的真理，与邻舍和睦共处，神会祝福他们。
神对以色列的升高（18-23）。神回应了是否要继续为圣殿禁食的这个问题：在神未来的国度里，以色列无需禁食，乃要欢呼。在那个国度里，世界将有和平。世界各国将到耶路撒冷寻求并敬拜主。耶稣将创立一个新世界秩序。以色列将会是祭司之国（出19:6）。人们会寻找犹太人并要求与他们一同到耶路撒冷寻求主。这是忠实的犹太人可以期待领受的一个荣耀未来。所有基督徒也会因着与耶稣的联合领受这个荣耀的未来。信徒在基督里是完整的。
用经文祷告
- 神啊，我们能完全信赖您对您子民的爱，因为您对我们是极其火热的。您对凡虚己投靠耶稣的人忠实。一旦您选择在耶稣里无条件地爱我们，我们在您的怀里是完全安稳的。不论是仇敌、撒旦或恶人都无法从您的手里把我们夺去（约10:29）。我们可以充满胆量去服从您的道。感谢您赐予的救恩，也感谢您为信您的犹太人和外邦人预备将来的国度。让我们因着您已为我们预备的荣耀国度勇敢生活。
- 卑微的以色列将在千禧国度里成为世界的中心，这是何等奇妙啊！这是神美妙的工作，叫人都能谦卑。祂使骄傲的人谦卑，并使卑微的人升高（申7:7；林前1:28-29）。祂会使卑微的以色列转变，叫人晓得势力不在于人，乃在于神。耶利米书9:24说：“‘夸口的却因他有聪明，认识我是耶和华，又知道我喜悦在世上施行慈爱、公平和公义，以此夸口。’这是耶和华说的。”让我们向这位万王之王，万主之主献上最高的尊荣与赞美。
