Zechariah 7-8

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    20                                                     Passage:    Zechariah 7-8

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Fast or Feast; a time to mourn or listen (Zechariah 7) 1. People of Bethel ask priests and prophets: “should we mourn and fast” (7:1-3) 2. Word of the Lord to Zechariah asking people – When you fasted were you doing it for yourselves (7:4-6) 3. Not the words of earlier prophets when at rest and prosperous (7:7) 4. Word of the Lord to Zechariah: administer justice, show mercy and compassion, don’t oppress or plot evil (7:8-10) 5. People refused to pay attention to the earlier prophets; Lord’s anger resulted (7:11-12) 6. Result: when the Lord called, they didn’t listen; they called the Lord, but didn’t listen, and scattered them, and the land became desolate (7:13-14)

Promise of Good to Jerusalem and Judah (Zechariah 8:1-13) 1. Lord came to Zechariah saying: He is jealous for Zion (8:1-2) 2. Lord will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem (8:3) 3. The Old will sit in streets of Jerusalem and streets filled with children playing; a marvelous time (8:4-6) 4. Lord will save people from countries east and west and be faithful and righteous to them as their God (8:7-8) 5. Be strong so that the temple will be built; the Lord won’t deal with people as in the past (8:9-11) 6. Seeds will grow, vine yield fruit, ground produce crops and heaven’s dew; God will save, and you’ll be a blessing. No fear and hands be strong. (8:12-13)

God’s Presence Time of Joyful Feasting (Zechariah 8:14-23) 1. God’s anger determined the fate of ancestors and determined good; don’t be afraid (8:14-15) 2. Things the Lord wants people to do (8:16-17) a. Speak the truth, b. Render sound and true judgment, c. Don’t plot evil against each other, d. Don’t love to swear falsely 3. Fasts of 4th, 5th and 7th and 10th to become joyful, glad occasions and happy festivals… Love truth and peace (8:18-19) 4. Many people will come to seek the Lord and to entreat him (8:20-22) 5. People from all languages and nations will take hold of one by the hem of robe saying: “let us go with you, we heard God is with you” (8:23)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Fast or Feast; Time to mourn or listen	Zechariah 7
Promise of Good to Jerusalem and Judah	Zechariah 8:1-13
God’s Presence Time of Joyful Feasting	Zechariah 8:14-23

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

God’s Word, no mourning, promise, and presence bring joyful feasting

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that there is no fear in following the Lord, speaking truth, judging rightly, caring for each other honestly.

Application Questions

How are you loving the Lord by honoring your neighbor?

What truth about God’s jealousy for you is most impactful?

How do you celebrate joyously all that God is doing for you?  Is your joy attractive to others?

Principles to Remember           

Focus brings truth

God’s promises are true

Joy in the Lord is attractive

Characteristic of God

Jealous for us

Theme

God’s jealousy for us and is cause for righteous living, loving our neighbor, remembering His promises, and celebrating His goodness.