(REFLECTIONS ON Zechariah 8:1-23)

23 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ‘”

When will be the day when people will stop us on the streets knowing that we are a people of God that go to the house of the Lord to worship and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

Isn’t this a beautiful picture of how the Church should exist in the world today? Rather than being shaped by the world and led away from Christ, let us be a Church so shaped by Christ that we lead the world to Him.

Today’s Scripture is a promise to the Jews that one day they will be back in the City of Truth, the Holy Mountain, that is Jerusalem and “Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of age. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.”

What a beautiful picture of restoration,

8 and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.’

Yes, this is the promise of God that purposes all things. It was the hope for the Jews returning to Jerusalem, and it is also the hope for the Church as we wait for Jesus’ return, bringing with Him new heaven and earth, and new Jerusalem.

We are reminded today when we read the prophets in the Old Testament, that there was a practical message for those at that time, but since the Bible is living Word, the words of the prophets also reach beyond that moment in time, across time and space, and speak about eternal promises and hope to the Church.

We who are in Christ Jesus should hope in the promise of God for the Jews, because it is also a promise for the Church. What a beautiful day, and what a wonderful hope, when the world says to us, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

Lord, awaken us from slumber so that we can be the Church in Christ Jesus, by the work of the Holy Spirit, living each day with hope for the day that those around us will say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you?” 

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Zechariah 8