The Church: A City of Truth that God Empowers to Be a Blessing - Zechariah 8:9-17

The Church: A City of Truth that God Empowers to Be a Blessing

Zechariah 8:9-17

by Jeff Woolum

     There are so many beautiful pictures in the Old Testament that point to the New Testament Church. Although many would choose to view the OT texts as historical and specific to Israel and Jerusalem, I belong to the group that views the promises to Israel as being fulfilled in the NT Church. This passage in Zechariah is post-exilic, the time when the remnant returned from Babylon. Zechariah loosely means ‘the LORD remembers.’ It is in this name that I write this challenge and these words of hope to the Church today.

     The Church of today is under a challenge, but just like the Israelites who returned from captivity, we have God on our side. The great news is that He has a plan. His words to the remnant who returned as stated in Zech. 8:3, “I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth…” are words of great assurance and comfort to the Church today. Because just as God was zealous for Jerusalem; He is now zealous for His Church. If you continue reading through Zechariah 8:4-10, the writer talks about ‘peace in the city’ (vv. 4-5). He talks about ‘fear’ (v. 6) that trust in God can overcome. He talks about saving God’s people from ‘the land of the east and the land of the west’ (vv. 7-8). And God promises in v. 8, that “they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.”

     As stated earlier, the Church of today exists in challenging times. But just as God brought Israel back to make a difference, so God has placed us here at this time and wherever you serve…to make a difference. In our world today, what God has said is good is now seen as bad. What God has established as right is often seen as irrelevant and outdated. In other words, “they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…” (Romans 1:25). We act surprised, but we should not be surprised. So, back to Zechariah and God’s promise to Jerusalem and now to His Church:

     “It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of

     Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.”

     (Zech. 8:13)

     In the aftermath of the SCOTUS decision, I was very frustrated with the advice that I was reading. It seemed that it was all about what ‘we’ should do to ‘protect ourselves’ and almost nothing about trusting in the plan of the Father. The answer, in my view, is not ‘stricter membership guidelines,’ or ‘stronger language in our views of marriage,’ or other man made rules. If your Church is following Biblical principles, it likely has sufficient definitions of marriage and membership. Why not follow and trust the plan of the Father? Israel and Judah did not and look where it led them!

     God tells us that ‘He’ is saving us to ‘become a blessing,’ a City of Truth. He tells us not to fear, but to be strong. He also gives us some guidelines in Zechariah 8:16-17 as to how we are to minister in the world around us:

-          “Speak the truth to one another” (v. 16) – don’t bend, break, or become politically correct; speak the truth (just do it in kindness and love).

-          “Judge with truth” (v. 16 - practice James 1:19-20) – I find that many people are going through a very hard time and all too often, we judge based on external observations filtered through our own life circumstances (which may have nothing to do with the life of the other person). Talk to people and be sensitive to what is going on in their lives. Remember that those who are weak in faith may be struggling with how Scripture relates to them. Then share Truth!

-          “Judgment for peace in your gates” (v. 16) – Why is it that more people will get mad and upset over political issues than they will grieve over sin in their lives and the lives of others? In the OT, when ‘the gates’ is used, it typically refers to the place where civil court or city business was carried out. It was a place of politics. What if we stopped being Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and the like and just began thinking about God’s plan for bringing peace into the land?

-          “Do not devise evil in your heart against another” (v. 17) – I like the way this says, “in your heart!” All too often, our ‘evil’ intentions find release in gossip, Facebook, and the like. Many in the Church have a ‘heart’ condition. That ‘heart condition’ needs God’s forgiveness and grace.

-          “Do not love perjury” (v. 17) – we may never give or know of false accusation against another, but we are way too eager to jump on the bandwagon of news or gossip that fits our agenda without checking its truth.

     This is by no means an end in and of itself to solving the problems of our current situation. But I have faith in the Church and the power of the God it serves. Now the challenges:

-          Let us strive in our Churches to allow God to shape us to become Cities of Truth, so that we can be a blessing to the communities we serve. Let us live by the Word of God and practice what is written therein without the desire for more and greater rules and policies. The Jews in both Old and New Testaments tried this method and it did not work. Learn to love the Word of God and the truth it contains.

-          If we believe that God is with us, let us live every day for Him. For the world to take us seriously, it needs to see that we believe what we say we believe. Re-evaluate your commitment to your Church and your faith. Does your faith and Church receive the highest type of priority? OR is your faith and commitment more a function of convenience?

-          The LORD remembers you…do you remember Him in all that you do?

     This text challenges…and…excites me! What about you? Are you willing to spot the truth and take up the challenge?