Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 423
8:5-20
Z echariah
411
together in the city squares. And the streets of the city will be filled with
boys and girls at play.
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem
impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impos
sible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I
will rescue my people from the east and from the west. I will bring them
home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will
be faithful and just toward them as their God.
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the
task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord
of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying
about completing the building. Before the work on the Temple began,
there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals. No traveler
was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned
everyone against each other.
“But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them
before, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. For I am planting seeds of peace
and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The
earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once
more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings.
Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed
nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol
and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with
rebuilding the Temple!
“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to
punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my
mind, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. But now I am determined to
bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. But this is what
you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts
that are just and that lead to peace. Don’t scheme against each other. Stop
your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things,
says the Lord.”
Here is another message that came to me from the Lord of Heaven’s Ar
mies. “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional
fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer,
autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and
celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: People from nations
