In December of 518 b.c. a delegation came from Bethel to ask whether the people should continue to fast and mourn on dates set aside during the exile to commemorate the fall and destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple (7:1–3). God’s response is a rebuke. Were the people sorry about the sins of the past, or only sorry about the disaster? (vv. 4–7) Ritual had no meaning to God before the Exile, nor does it have meaning after. The issue was and is whether faith is real and is expressed as compassion and maintaining justice in the land (vv. 8–14). The rebuke is tempered by the prophet’s revelation that the Babylonian Captivity was an expression of God’s jealousy (passionate concern) for His people. The same passion which in the past was expressed in judgment will, in the future, produce a righteous society that is abundantly blessed by the Lord (8:1–17). When God brings in the age of blessing, mourning will be turned to joy. The Jews present weak and oppressed condition will be reversed, and powerful nations will journey to Jerusalem to seek the Lord (vv. 18–23). Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (579). Wheaton: Victor Books.
Zechariah 8:23 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.’ ”
‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ” ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ” ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ”
Does anyone say that about me? Does anyone say that about you? Is my faith real enough, is my relationship with Jesus real? Do people smell the fragrance of Christ when they are around me? As I seek to follow Christ, as I long to journey with Christ will others say...‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ”
I pray that this song is true of your life...I pray and hope and wish this for each of you...there is a joy in the journey, the joy is Jesus!
There is a joy in the journey
There's a light we can love on the way
There is a wonder and wildness to life
And freedom for those who obey
And all those who seek it shall find it
A pardon for all who believe
Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind
To all who've been born in the Spirit
And who share incarnation with Him
Who belong to eternity stranded in time
And weary of struggling with sin
Forget not the hope that's before you
And never stop counting the cost
Remember the hopelessness when you were lost
There is a joy in the journey
There's a light we can love on the way
There is a wonder and wildness to life
And freedom for those who obey
And freedom for those who obey...