December 3, 2019: Day 80 – Zechariah 8

What an idyllic vision of the way things could and should be.  Keep in  mind that the people to whom this prophet is writing are coming back from one of the most traumatic times in their nation’s history.   They had family members who did not make the journey from the land of exile back to home. They have to rebuild all of their structures, all of their institutions, reshape and fashion government and even religion.  For some of you reading this it may sound pretty appealing.  But trust me, if you ever live in a context where these things are missing, it is not appealing.  It is the wild west and you never know when you might be targeted next.  But the picture that is depicted in this chapter is that one day things will come together again.

But there is a very focused understanding on what will allow that to take place.  Look at vs.5 before we get that answer. Who wouldn’t want: “boys and girls playing in the streets”?  He says it may seem impossible to you who have just returned from decades in exile, but who is to say to the Lord that it isn’t possible, that He can’t make it happen?  He charges them with these words in vs.13: “Do not be afraid, and let your hands be strong.”  

Then he says: “This is what you should do.”  We have to read these verses to understand what the Lord requires us to do.  Read this chapter with new eyes and understand what is expected of us.  Let’s list some of the things.  Speak the truth to one another, do not devise evil.  Love truth and peace.  Gather your neighbors and go worship.  When that happens then those around us will say: “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”  What a great legacy to leave behind.  People followed him/her because they could tell that God was with him/her.