Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me.
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
“I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
“I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
“Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
“It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the LORD Almighty.
This is what the LORD Almighty says:
“I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”
Zechariah 8:1-8 (NIV)
God continues to call Himself Jehovah-Sabaoth in His Word to Zechariah.
God of Angel Armies.
His Names are in perfect context for what He’s teaching.
Remember His people were asking whether they should continue to fast and mourn over Jerusalem. Chapter 7 answered with a rebuke about fasting without obedience. Now God is painting a beautiful picture of a restored Jerusalem in order to inspire the people.
Why?
Verse 2 has our answer: He is jealous for them.
In our flesh, we tend to be jealous of. But in His perfection, He is only jealous for. For our good. For our restoration. For our witness. For His glory.
And He will deliver His people from the east (where the sun rises) to the west (the sunset). Like most prophecy, this means both the scattered exiles in that time and all those to come who will worship the Lamb one day in Zion.
And the best part? They will get to dwell there: settle down and abide. No longer aliens or exiles, sojourners or vagabonds.
He is the One Who will do this. Because He is the God of Angel Armies, and on account of His faithfulness, He will bring them back.
And be their Elohim in truth and righteousness.