Zechariah Part 12: Jealous For his People

Text: Zech. 8:1-8.

intro:

Vs 1-2, Jealous For His People

God’s Jealousy

He has said he is, Ex. 20:4-5, Zech. 1:14.

What Does that mean?

God’s Jealousy is a protective extension of His love for those He calls His people. When John writes that God is Love, automatically included in that umbrella, is His Divine Jealousy for His people. When God sets Himself to be devoted to a people, He is a God who loves hard. He gives, and gives, and gives more, even when He is not given anything in return. He protects His people, provides for His people, and carries His people along. This kind of love is one of a kind and cannot be provided elsewhere. The kind of Love God requires in return is one of worship only to Him. Like a someone, who doesn't want his spouse sleeping around with others, God doesn't want unfaithfulness to Him. He cares about what we focus on, what we think about, what we dream about, and who we worship.

A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; he must be loved first and best.

Charles Spurgeon

“Great wrath.”

This Jealousy is also filled with protection. When someone harms your beloved, you get angry, and you protect.

Protection from those who oppose his people and those who refuse Him.

Question for us, “Do we show Jealousy for God?

When He is slandered, do you get angry?

Richard Dawkins “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”

Gods Jealousy for the church

Vs 3-5, Blessing of God’s Return

Vs 3, I have Returned

second time he has announced, Zech. 1:16.

once again, Ezekiel 10:18.

“I will dwell in the midst of jerusalem”

God dwelling with us

Vs 4, Blessing of old age

Prov. 10:27, 16:31, 20:29.

Vs 5, Blessing of Family and of peace

Ps. 128.

Complete Reversal

Jer. 5:1, 9:21, Lam. 2:11-12.

God is a God of Complete Reversals

The Creation, The Fall, God’s Dwelling With Man

Vs 6-8,

Vs 6, Too good to be true?

God feels the same way

God wants us living in peace and prosperity

disobedience prevents that (Amos)

like a parent who cant let their kid have a good time because of disobedience

vs 7, save them from the east and the west

meaning

save them (protect them and bring them back)

sun rise and sun set

because He still has a purpose for them

He has the same protection for us

examples in history where God has protected the church

first century, great persecution of Rome (4th century), Reformation

Vs 8, I will bring them

They shall be my people, I will be their God (Covenant language)

Ex. 6:7, Lev. 26:12.