Slices
Prepare
Our vision can be dulled by circumstances. Reflect on the promise of a ‘new heaven and a new earth’, the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).
Bible passage
The Lord promises to bless Jerusalem
8 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.
2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.’
3 This is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.’
4 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. 5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.’
6 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘It may seem marvellous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvellous to me?’ declares the Lord Almighty.
7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.’
9 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Now hear these words, “Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.” This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. 10 Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbour. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,’ declares the Lord Almighty.
12 ‘The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. 13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.’
14 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,’ says the Lord Almighty, 15 ‘so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,’ declares the Lord.
18 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.
19 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’
20 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, “Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.” 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.’
23 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.”’
Explore
Zechariah 7 ends in desolation: a pleasant land reduced to wilderness (7:14). Is God finished with his unfaithful people? That’s not his way – not for the denying Peter, doubting Thomas or rampaging Saul, and it isn’t for us. The ‘LORD Almighty’ (repeated 18 times) is ‘jealous for Zion’ (v 2). He won’t allow anyone to prevent his blessing of them. The blessing is his dwelling with his people (v 3). It’s much like the promise of Jesus, that through the Spirit, he and the Father will come and make their home with those who love and obey him (John 14:23). That’s our source of peace, protection and joy.
Imagine... What happens when God is present and blesses a community? Following war and deprivation, Zechariah paints a picture of contented old people, safe and happy children, prosperity; a welcoming place with joyful community celebrations. It’s a place of attraction where people throng to find out what’s happening. We’d love to be part of this, and we will be (eg Revelation 21:22–27). Meantime we pray and long for such church communities. But don’t miss the truth that the blessing hinges on obedience (vs 16,17).
Respond
The blessing of God has a missional purpose (vs 20–23). How might this vision of people being drawn by the clear presence of God amongst his people be worked out in your community?
Deeper Bible study
What does living life ‘to the full’ mean to you? Think of three things you really enjoy in life. Praise and thank God for them.
In these oracles, the theme changes from God’s judgement to a promise of God’s return to his people (v 3) and assurances of salvation and blessing (vs 8,13). The picture given of a secure, peaceful and prosperous community might seem an impossible dream, but God will bring it about (v 6). Many of the promised blessings echo the blessings of the covenant.1 They relate to Israel’s existence as a socio-economic community recognising God as its ultimate ruler. They cannot be simplistically transferred to Christian life under the new covenant. However, a basic principle applies to both covenants: God wants his people to enjoy a good life on all levels. Jesus came to give us ‘abundant’ or ‘full’ life.2 An ascetic strain in Christian teaching restricts this to ‘spiritual’ things, but that owes more to Greek philosophical ideas which influenced some early theologians than to biblical teaching. From the picture of the Garden of Eden, through the blessings of the old covenant, to Jesus providing abundant wine at a wedding and enjoying feasting with his friends, it is clear that God wants us to enjoy all the good things that his creation provides. They are, of course, to be used wisely and responsibly.
Enjoyment of the blessings is conditional on living in a way that reflects God’s values (vs 14–17). When a community does this, it reflects something of the nature of God and it then becomes a blessing to others, as God promised Abraham.3 They will then want to join that community and to know God for themselves (vs 20–23). This is evangelism by attraction. A youth group enjoying playing games in a local park on summer evenings was an effective attractive community in one church I belonged to. A mutually-supportive parent and toddler group formed a similar community in another.
Prayerfully consider whether there is a way in which you, in your church, might help build up a godly community enjoying abundant life that will evangelise by attraction.
1 Deut 28:1–14 2 John 10:10, NRSV, TNIV 3 Gen 12:1–3
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 40,41; 1 John 1
Pray for Scripture Union
This summer, Edale Adventure holiday (a regional holiday in the north) was oversubscribed. Pray for all the children who came and for wisdom for Rob Steward and Sarah Davison as they decide how to grow more SU holiday experiences in the north over the next year.
