# Zechariah 08 š: Fasts Turned Into Feasts
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Observations / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### The Blessing of True Fasting
[[#Verse 01.]]Ā Then the message of theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās ArmiesĀ came to me as follows:Ā
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā āTheĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies says, āI am very much concerned for Zion; indeed, I am so concerned for her that my rage will fall on those who hurt her.āĀ
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ says, āI have returned to Zion and will live within Jerusalem. Now Jerusalem will be called ātruthful city,ā āmountain of theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies,ā āholy mountain.āāĀ
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā Moreover, theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies says, āOld men and women will once more live in the plazas of Jerusalem, each one leaning on a cane because of advanced age.Ā
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā And the streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing.Ā
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā And,ā says theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies, āthough such a thing may seem to be difficult in the opinion of the small community of those days, will it also appear difficult to me?ā asks theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies.
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā āTheĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies asserts, āI am about to save my people from the lands of the east and the west.Ā
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā And I will bring them to settle within Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God,Ā in truth and righteousness.ā
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā āTheĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies also says, āGather strength, you who are listening to these words today from the mouths of the prophets who were there at the founding of the house of theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies,Ā so that the temple might be built.Ā
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā Before that time there was no compensation for man or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybodyāeach oneāagainst everyone else.Ā
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,ā says theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies,Ā
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā āfor there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit, and the ground its yield, and the skiesĀ will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things.Ā
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā And it will come about that just as you, both Judah and Israel, were a curse to the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid! Instead, be strong.ā
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā āFor theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies says, āAs I had planned to hurtĀ you when your fathers made me angry,ā says theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies, āand I was not sorry,Ā
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā so, to the contrary, I have planned in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judahādo not fear!Ā
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts.Ā
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oathāthese are all things that I hate,ā says theĀ Lord.ā
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā The message of theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies came to me as follows:Ā
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā āTheĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies says, āThe fast of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenthĀ months will become joyful and happy, pleasant feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.āĀ
[[#Verse 20.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies says, āIt will someday come to pass that peopleāresidents of many citiesāwill come.Ā
[[#Verse 21.]]Ā The inhabitants of one will go to another and say, āLetās go up at once to ask the favor of theĀ Lord, to seek theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies. Indeed, Iāll go with you.āā
[[#Verse 22.]]Ā Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek theĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies and to ask his favor.Ā
[[#Verse 23.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ of Heavenās Armies says, āIn those days ten people from all languages and nations will grasp hold ofāindeed, grabāthe robe of one Jew and say, āLet us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.āāā
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. God declares that He is jealous for Zion with great zeal (8:2).
2. Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth (8:3).
3. Old men and women in the streets and children playing (8:4-5) picture peace and long life.
4. God's question in 8:6 echoes Genesis 18:14: is anything too hard for the Lord?
5. "Let your hands be strong" (8:9, 13) encouraged the people to keep building the temple.
6. Paul echoes 8:16 when he says to speak the truth to your neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).
7. 8:19 mentions fasts in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months, each linked to the fall of Jerusalem.
8. The tenth month fast recalled the start of Babylon's siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1).
9. God promises these fasts will become joyful feasts (8:19).
10. The robe in 8:23 likely refers to its corner or tassel, which Israelites wore to remember God's commands (Numbers 15:38-39).
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the One through whom the nations take hold of God's people and say, "We have heard that God is with you" (8:23). In Jesus, Immanuel, God is with us (Matthew 1:23), and people of every nation come to Him.
## š Key Observations / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. God pictures old people sitting in the streets and children playing there (8:4-5). What does this scene teach about God's vision for a healthy community?
2. God asks if anything is too difficult for Him (8:6). What situation in your life needs that reminder?
3. God says to speak truth to one another and love no false oath (8:16-17). How does honesty strengthen a community?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 3: Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord the Holy Mountain.
- š verse 16: Speak the truth to one another and make true and peaceful judgments.
- š verse 23: Ten people from every nation will grab the robe of a Jew and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."
## š Related Passages
- š [[Matthew 01#Verse 23.|Matthew 1:23]] - Immanuel, God with us.
- š [[Ephesians 04#Verse 25.|Ephesians 4:25]] - Speak the truth to your neighbor.
- š [[Genesis 18#Verse 14.|Genesis 18:14]] - Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
- š [[Isaiah 02#Verse 03.|Isaiah 2:3]] - Many peoples will come to the Lord's mountain.
- š [[John 12#Verse 20.|John 12:20-21]] - Greeks say, "We want to see Jesus."
## š Devotional Reflection
š SOAP: [[Zechariah 08- SOAP|What Do People Hear About You?]]
## š Internal Notes