Response to Real Righteousness (Zechariah 8:18-23)

Preamble:

Text: Zechariah 8:18-23

Zechariah 8:18–23 LSB

Then the word of Yahweh of hosts came to me, saying, “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and merry appointed feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’ “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. ‘The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of Yahweh and to seek Yahweh of hosts; I will also go.” ‘So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek Yahweh of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of Yahweh.’ “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from every tongue of the nations will take hold of the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ’ ”

PRAY

Thesis:

Intro:

From Fasting to Feasting

Zechariah 8:18 LSB

Then the word of Yahweh of hosts came to me, saying,

The last words of God through Zechariah for many years.

Pay attention to the first and last message of pastor. First message gives vision for the future, last message explains what he hopes he accomplished, and where he hopes those he loves go from there.

Pastor - Shepherd, God is the Good shepherd (Jacob calls him His shepherd, Jesus is the Good Shepherd)

Zechariah 8:19 LSB

“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and merry appointed feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’

From Foes to Friends

Zechariah 8:20 LSB

“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities.

Zechariah 8:21 LSB

‘The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of Yahweh and to seek Yahweh of hosts; I will also go.”

Zechariah 8:22 LSB

‘So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek Yahweh of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of Yahweh.’

From Failure to Fame

Zechariah 8:23 LSB

“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from every tongue of the nations will take hold of the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ’ ”

There was a time when people would see the city and say “Oh what could they have done to deserve this” but now, “God is with you”