Zechariah 8 After condemning the practice of empty formalism.. the worthless practice of religious rituals that were self-imposed and unworthy of Him, the Lord tells Israel, " I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her."   The Lord's passion for Zion, for His people, exceeds any bounds.. it is incomprehensible to us.. this stubborn, unfaithful, sinful, idolatrous nation.. just coming back from 70 years of exile because of its sinfulness.. and still not living as God's holy ones.  How can He be passionately jealous for them? Because...

God sees what will be.. not what has been or presently is..  " I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain." (v3)

He sees a city where there are "old men and old women.." where the streets will "be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets."  He sees a city that is filled with people that He brings back" from the east.. and the west."   He sees His people.. serving Him "in truth and righteousness."  He sees a city where there will be peace and plenty. Where His people will be a blessing to all the nations. 

So, " let your hands be strong, you who are listening.. "  The Lord says, " I have again purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear!" ( v15) 

"These are the things which you should do:  speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgement for peace in your gates. Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these are what I hate, declares the Lord." ( v16-17) 

The Lord finally answers the question posed in chapter 7.. about the fasts.. "Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace." (v19) 

When we look back at God's word to Moses regarding the "appointed times".. the Law stated that the people would celebrate these festivals:   the Sabbath day.. kept every week.  The first month would be Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven weeks later, the second yearly festival would be Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks. The third festival would be held during the 7th month.. The day of Atonement, followed by the Feast of Tabernacles.  There were added fasts.. the fourth month commemorated the taking of Jerusalem by Babylon. The fifth month commemorated the destruction of the temple and the 10th month commemorated the siege of Jerusalem.  

The Lord wanted His people to remember what happened to them.. why they went into exile, why Jerusalem was ravaged those 70 years before . He also wanted them to remember the Day of Atonement.  A day of repentance, coming humbly before their God.  Remember.. and rejoice in the greatness of His salvation.  Remember, and choose truth and peace.. choose righteousness and holiness. 

Father in heaven, help us to also follow You commands.. to speak truth, to choose peace, to do good..to do what is just, and to have mercy. Help us to remember the greatness of Your salvation through Jesus Christ who paid our ransom and set us free from stubborn hearts and evil ways.  Draw us ever closer to Your heart.. that in all we do and all we say, we honor Your holy Name.  Amen.