QT 19/12/2025 Fri. Zechariah 8 Hope, renewal, and restoration 盼望、更新与复兴

QT 19/12/2025 Fri. Zechariah 8  Hope, renewal, and restoration
READ http://www.esv.org/zechariah8

Zechariah 8 was written to encourage the Jewish people as they returned from exile and began rebuilding Jerusalem, these verses are both prophetic and practical, offering timeless wisdom for us today.

In Zechariah 8:16-17 and 8:22-23, we see God's vision for a transformed community and a world that seeks after Him. These passages call us to live out God's righteousness in our relationships, while also pointing to the coming of a time when people from all nations will seek the Lord, recognizing His presence among His people.

(1) Living with Truth and Peace: Zechariah 8:16-17

“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD.” (Zechariah 8:16-17 ESV)

Reflection:

Truthful Speech: God commands His people to speak truth to one another. In a world filled with deception and distortion, this is a call to honesty, integrity, and transparency. It is not just about telling the truth, but about speaking truthfully in love (Ephesians 4:15). This aligns with the call to "put away falsehood" in Ephesians 4:25.

True Judgment: Zechariah stresses the importance of justice, truth, and peace in our actions. The “gates” were the places of decision-making in ancient Israel. Our judgments—whether in public or private life—must reflect God’s justice. When God’s people seek justice, it is not just a legal matter, but one that promotes peace and reconciliation.

Avoiding Evil: The command not to "devise evil in your hearts" emphasises the importance of guarding our thoughts. Jesus taught that sin begins in the heart (Matthew 5:28). Harbouring ill-will or bitterness against others undermines peace and unity.

God Hates False Oaths: Falsehoods and deception dishonor God. Integrity is not just about external actions but about the integrity of our words and commitments. The Lord abhors the misuse of His name, whether through lies, broken promises, or false oaths.

Application: As believers, we are called to live by the truth in every area of our lives. Our words should reflect Christ’s truth and bring peace. We are called to seek justice, love one another, and pursue holiness in both our speech and our actions. Integrity in our relationships is foundational to living as God’s people.

(2) The Nations Come to Seek the Lord: Zechariah 8:22-23

“Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD. 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.’” (Zechariah 8:22-23 ESV)

Prayer: Lord, help us to live with truth in our hearts and on our lips. May we seek justice, peace, and reconciliation in all that we do. Guard us from devising evil against others, and help us to honor You in all of our words and actions. May our lives be a witness to those around us, drawing people to the hope we have in You. Thank You for Your presence in our lives, and may we faithfully fulfill Your mission to bring the nations to Yourself. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QT 19/12/2025 星期五.  撒迦利亚书8  盼望、更新与复兴
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/zec/8/

撒迦利亚书第八章旨在鼓励从流亡归回的犹太人重建耶路撒冷，这些经文既具先知性又具实践性，为今日的我们提供了永恒的智慧。

在撒迦利亚书8:16-17与8:22-23中，我们看见神对一个被更新的群体及寻求祂之世界的异象。这些经文呼召我们活出神在人际关系中的公义，同时预示着万国万民将来寻求耶和华、认识祂在祂百姓中同在的时代。

(1) 真理与和平共处：撒迦利亚书8:16-17

16 你们应当行这些事：你们各人要与邻舍说真话，在你们的城门口要凭着诚实和公正施行审判。17 你们各人不要心里图谋恶事，彼此陷害，也不可好起假誓，因为这些都是我所恨恶的。’这是耶和华的宣告。”（撒迦利亚书8:16-17）

反思：

诚实言语：神命令祂的子民彼此说诚实话。在这个充满欺骗与歪曲的世界里，这是对诚实、正直和透明的呼召。这不仅是说真话，更是带着爱心说诚实话（以弗所书4:15）。这与以弗所书4:25中“弃绝谎言”的呼召相呼应。

真实的审判：撒迦利亚强调公义、真理与和平在我们行为中的重要性。在古代以色列，“城门”是决策之地。我们的判断——无论在公共或私人领域——都必须体现神的公义。当神的子民追求公义时，这不仅是法律层面的事务，更是促进和平与和解的行动。

远离恶行： “不可心里图谋恶事”的诫命，强调了守护思想的重要性。耶稣教导罪始于内心（马太福音5:28）。对他人怀恨在心或心怀怨恨，会破坏和平与合一。

神憎恶虚假誓言：谎言与欺骗亵渎神圣。诚信不仅关乎外在行为，更关乎言语与承诺的纯正。主憎恶祂名的滥用，无论是借谎言、违背承诺或虚假誓言。

应用：作为信徒，我们被召在生命各领域活出真理。言语当彰显基督的真理并带来平安。我们当追求公义、彼此相爱，在言语行为中追求圣洁。关系中的诚信是活出神子民生命的基础。

(2) 万国来寻求耶和华：撒迦利亚书8:22-23

22 “ 必有很多的民族和强大的国家前来，在耶路撒冷求告万军之耶和华，恳求他施恩。’ 23
“万军之耶和华这样说：‘在那些日子，必有十个说不同方言，来自列国的人，紧抓住一个犹大人的衣襟，说：让我们与你们同去吧，因为我们听见　神与你们同在。’”

祷告：主啊，求祢帮助我们以真理存心、以真理言语。愿我们在一切所行之事上寻求公义、和平与和解。求祢保守我们不图谋加害他人，并帮助我们在言语行为上荣耀祢。愿我们的生命成为周围人的见证，引领众人归向我们对祢的盼望。感谢祢常在我们生命中同在，愿我们忠心完成祢的使命，将万民带到祢面前。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。