Let us go with you
Let us go with you
https://www.esv.org/Zechariah8:18–23
Week 16: 14/04/2023. Fri
"Let us go with you", has anyone said that to you before? Zechariah 8:23 says, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” (ESV)
Readers of today can be encouraged, because we see the big reversal of destiny here. Zechariah 8:19, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace. (ESV)
These four fast shall be reversed, to become "seasons of joy". Wow! (1) The fast of the fourth month or early summer (Zech. 8:19) was to commemorate the breach of Jerusalem’s walls (see also Jeremiah. 39:2). (2) the fast of the fifth month (midsummer, Zech. 8:19) was tied to the temple's destruction. (2Kings 25:8–9)
(3) Thirdly, the fast of the seventh month (autumn) was for mourning the killing of Gedaliah (see 2Kings 25:25). (4) Lastly, the fast of tenth month (winter) was for the remind participants of the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege (2 Kings 25:1) which ultimately led to the destruction of all their major national institutions and their scattering out of the promised land among the nations.
The LORD spoke about this reversal further in Zechariah 8:22, "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD. (ESV)" The flow was now reversed—not Israelites being scattered among the nations, but the nations flowing to Jerusalem to seek the LORD.
Indeed, the Apostle Paul, and the rest of the New Testament believers today, see this reversal in even more detail.
Ephesians 2:13–17, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17] And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. (ESV)"
"Let us go with you", "let us live the way you live", "let us find meaning as you have found meaning", "let us learn how to live a fruitful and abundant live that we see you all live". All these would bring glory and honour to the LORD, when all nations come to the LORD through your testimonies and invitations.
This is a great privilege for you, to represent the LORD. It is also a big responsible, because you are ambassadors for no ordinary person, but the LORD of Zechariah and all that would embrace His message thereafter.
