Saved to Be a Blessing

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Saved to Be a Blessing

Date: Dec. 14, 2014

Passage

Zechariah 8:1-13 (ESV)

1 And the word of the LORD of hosts came, saying, 2 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. 3 Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. 4 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. 6 Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the LORD of hosts? 7 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, 8 and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”

9 Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in, for I set every man against his neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the LORD of hosts. 12 For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 13 And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 8:13

And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

First, I am very jealous for Zion (1-8). The LORD was very jealous for Zion. He would return and dwell in Jerusalem. In Zechariah's time, Jerusalem had few people. Much needed to be rebuilt. But God would return to Jerusalem and bless her. Both the aged and children would fill the streets, a sign of fruitfulness. At the time, no one could imagine this but this was a simple thing for the LORD Almighty. The LORD would save and gather his people from many nations. He would restore them and be their God.

Second, you will be a blessing (9-13). The LORD Almighty told his people to strengthen their hands and rebuild the temple. The time of God's judgment had passed (11). God promised that their fields would be fruitful again. Though Israel and Judah were once considered a curse among the nations due to God's judgment, God would save them and make them a blessing. God saves sinners and uses them to bless others.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your saving grace to us. Make me a blessing for someone today.

One Word: You will be a blessing

Go, Show Your Love

Hosea 3:1-5

Key Verse: 3:1

Hosea Redeems His Wife

3:1 And the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.”

Today's Question

What does the seventh commandment forbid?

See answer and references