November 12, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Renewal

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have created me to “soar on wings like eagles” (Isa. 40:31). Lord, I want to soar today.

Read Zechariah 8:1–23

[1] 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 marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous 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 neighbor. [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.'”

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isa. 43:18,19). We need to be always anticipating God’s next new thing.

There are times—in our church, our family, our workplace—when there is a big new idea or initiative. To begin with, everyone is enthusiastic. Later, the excitement wanes and the faithful few are left with an impossible task. Something similar seems to have happened with the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. Only this is different—because God himself is the driving force (2,3).

 

God’s blessing on the people in Judah had been withheld (9–13; see also Hag. 1:1–11) because they needed to repent before God’s work could get going. Zechariah’s and Haggai’s task was as much about calling people to repentance (Zech. 1:1–6) as it was about the building project. God’s judgment for past disobedience was not just expressed in the Exile but back in Judah, where there were poverty, corruption, injustice, conflict, insecurity—and failing crops (Hag. 2:17–19). Now, God promises, things are going to change (3). Through Zechariah, God gives a picture of how things can be in the renewed Jerusalem—if the people will respond to him in obedience. Here is a vision of God’s shalom. All people, from the youngest to the oldest, will live in safety, freedom, peace and harmony (4,5). Corruption and strife are to be replaced with truth, justice and good neighborliness; lamenting and fasting with joy and feasting (18,19).

 

God-inspired love of truth and peace is powerful (19). It’s not just the Temple which will be renewed, but the lives of God’s people. The renown of their God-centered living will spread far and wide, drawing people from other nations to seek God (22,23). “Do not be afraid,” God tells them, “but let your hands be strong” (13). What transformation is God longing for in our lives, our church and our nation? Are we willing and ready to commit ourselves to his work and will?

Apply

Right now does your relationship feel like a fast or a feast (19)? In what way? What changes do you need to make?

Closing prayer

Lord God, renew me and transform me, so that I might live a faithful life which will draw others to worship You.

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

View all readings

Get ENCOUNTER:

in your email:

in Print:

Become a Member | Visit our store