Zechariah 8:18-21 - Peoples shall yet come

8:18,19

Back in 7:1-3 we had the people asking whether or not they should continue to observe the fast in the fifth month, the fast was also a time of mourning. After a long section getting the people to focus on what was really important, on how the people did not really love God, and how God Himself would bring salvation, we get the answer! And the answer goes far beyond what they were asking, and is more wonderful than anything they imagined. It applied to the fasts of the fourth, fifth seventh and tenth months, and these would be transformed into joyful and glad occasions. So the people should love truth and peace. When we turn to God and to His ways it transforms life completely. Questions which seemed so important and intractable before either vanish into thin air, or are changed out of all recognition. Many object to the call to repentance, but it is a call to life.

8:20,21

The transformation would not be limited to Jerusalem, or Bethel, or Israel. It would affect nations far and wide. When God’s people turn to Him in spirit and in truth it releases change that affects all peoples. Oh how foolish we are when we pander to the world, rather than honouring God. When God’s people turn to Him, many others will also want to seek the Lord and to learn from Him.