How to stay the course (Zech 8:1-17)

What is the hardest phase in doing a project? For some, getting started, learning new ways is the greatest hurdle; once they are in the groove, they can keep going. For others, there is an initial enthusiasm that fuels them to get underway, but they run out of steam by the time the finish line comes into sight. Yet others lose the motivation in the middle: the first excitement is gone and there is still a long way to go before completion. Wherever the exiles found themselves in this middle stage of the temple building project (two years in and two more to go; Hag 1:14-15; Zech 7:1; Ezra 6:15), the Lord knew that they needed continued cheering on. The previous chapter warned them not to slip back into the sins of their ancestors that led to the exile, but now God once again turns to encouraging them to keep going. What can we learn from the way He does so for our own hurdles in the Christian life?

God on our side

First, God makes clear His own stance towards them. God’s jealousy is not the unhealthy and negative emotion of envy that we think of but a consuming passion for His people because they are His. He cares deeply for them, and His anger is implicitly against those who tried to harm them (see Zech 2:14-15, which this passage echoes). In other words, the people’s encouragement should come from the fact that the Lord is on their side! He has the power to transform His city (Jerusalem) to have a character of faithfulness and truth and be wholly dedicated to Him (the sense of consecration or holiness; Zech 8:3). It is a reminder that it is only with the Lord’s help that we can become who we are meant to be. God’s words continue with the promise for a hopeful future, a depiction of peace and wellbeing, where the old and the young can be carefree (Zech 8:4-5), where there is work to be had, safety from enemies (Zech 8:10), and plentiful harvest (Zech 8:12). If this seemed impossible, it was not so for God (Zech 8:6). The Hebrew for ‘impossible’ is ‘marvellous’ (i.e. beyond belief) and is a term used of God’s mighty saving acts in the exodus. Future blessings may seem too marvellous to be true, but like the exodus, they will happen.

God’s resolution and our part

Throughout the passage, God’s resolution to reverse judgment and bring blessing is evident. Just as He ploughed on with punishment before the exile, so now He is determined to bring about blessing as promised (Zech 8:14-15). Nevertheless, the people have a role to play. They need to strengthen the hands for the work (Zech 8:9) and not be fearful (Zech 8:13). Further, they are to speak truth and judge truthfully (Zech 8:16-17), issues that have already surfaced in the vision of the flying scroll (Zech 5:3-4). We can imagine that when the exiles returned, there were tensions and disputes over land and property between the locals (Jews and non-Jews) and the returnees. The former would have taken possession when the rest were carried into captivity, while the latter would want to reclaim now what they considered their own. Thus, God’s people are encouraged to act truthfully in a way that leads to peaceable settlement.

Staying the course with hope

Our passage stresses God’s passionate commitment for His people, His determination and power to do what He has promised concerning restoration and a new beginning. For those who struggled to keep going and stay the course, their sights were lifted to a hopeful future that was going to be beyond marvellous. They were reminded in the light of that to continue in faith and persevere. While their actions did not earn them God’s favour, they had a small part to play in making inroads towards peace and reconciliation in their everyday interactions. We, who are also called to stay the course in our Christian life, are encouraged through this passage to keep our eyes on the Lord who is faithful to His promises, to remember His character and to keep going and doing what He calls us to do in His service.

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