Zechariah 8

The old testament is filled with God's chosen people grumbling, disobeying God's laws, turning their backs on Him and in turn worshiping other idols. Every time God's people did this He sent them a prophet to bring them back and tell of the wonderful things he had in store for them if they would just repent and follow him.

Like Enoch, Jonah, Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha; Zechariah was a prophet sent to tell the children of Israel to repent and follow Yahweh. The children have not been in their land for many years now due to Babylon invasion and it is now to return home to the land God promised them long ago.

Zechariah 8 speaks of a beautiful future that God has in store for his people. These are some verses that really struck me:

"Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes—a good city to grow old in. And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing—a good city to grow up in." vs. 4,5 (the Message)

"But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. 17 Don’t scheme against each other*. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.” vs. 16, 17 (New Living Translation)

*I'll admit this is one that I am going to have to conquer.

I think these verses paint such beautiful pictures. If we do what verses 16 and 17 tell us then we can have a peaceful city where children can laugh and play safely. We lost the ability long ago and I want to regain it. Will you help me?