In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how, “the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem, and on the cities of Judah, against which you have had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words”, and in chapter one and verse fourteen of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the LORD said, “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion” where we read,
So the angel that communed with me said unto me,
Cry you, saying, thus says the LORD of hosts;
I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
The verse reads, “So the angel that communed with me said unto me, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “so the angel” or “therefore and then the spiritual messenger and envoy” “that communed with me” which means “who spoke, made declarations and conversed alongside and beside me, Zechariah” “said unto me” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to me, Zechariah” the following words. Zechariah shared how the messenger from Jehovah God who spoke with him uttered the following words.
The verse continues, “... Cry you, saying, thus says the LORD of hosts;”. Zechariah added the words, “cry you, saying”or “shout aloud, recite and proclaim you, Zechariah, uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “thus says the LORD of hosts”which means “here and in this manner utters, declares and proclaims Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God who is over the spiritual army of angels and warriors”. Zechariah shared how the “angel”instructed Zechariah to shout aloud to declare the following words from Jehovah God who rules over the “angel armies and warriors”.
Finally the verse says, “I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.” Zechariah concluded this verse with the words, “I am jealous” or “I, Jehovah God, exist as moved to zealous envy” “for Jerusalem” which means “on behalf of Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split” “and for Zion” or “and on behalf of Zion whose name means parched place and is another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books” “with a great jealousy” which means “by the use of an intense and abundant move toward zealous envy”. Zechariah ended this verse by sharing how he was to declare that Jehovah God was intensely envious on behalf of the people within “Jerusalem and Zion”.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how Jehovah God employed him to make a declaration to the people of “Jerusalem and Zion” how He was “jealous” on their behalf – not “jealous” “of” them, but “for” them. God had the best interest in mind for the people of “Jerusalem and Zion”, and He has our best interest in mind as well. Because we are separated from a relationship with Him by our sins, God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us through His Holy Spirit to know how much He cares and wants the best for us on the earth and with Him in Heaven forever.
Next time Zechariah shares how the LORD says, “I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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