In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah wrote, “Thus says the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country. And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness”, and in chapter eight and verse nine of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the LORD said, “let your hands be strong” where we read,
Thus says the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, you that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
The verse reads, “Thus says the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, you that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “thus says the LORD of hosts” or “therefore, then, wherefore and on this account 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”; “Let your hands be strong” which means “allow and permit your, the people of Israel's, physical hands to exist as hardened, courageous, firm, resolute, mighty and powerful”, “you that hear” or “you, people of Israel, who listen, perceive by ear and give heed” “in these days” which means “within the time periods and seasons” “these words by the mouth” or “the utterances, declarations and proclamations through the means of the orifice in the faces used for eating, drinking and speaking” “of the prophets” which means “belonging to the spiritual spokesmen and inspired men”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God who rules over angel armies instructed the people of Israel to allow their physical hands to exist as mighty, strong and resolute as they perceived within their seasons the utterances belonging to the spiritual spokesmen.
The verse goes on to say, “which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.” Zechariah continued with the words, “which were in the day” or “who existed in the time period and season” “that the foundation of the house” which means “that the base structure belonging to the sacred worship place or temple” “of the LORD of hosts” or “belonging to 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” “was laid” which means “was fixed, established, appointed and ordained”, “that the temple might be built” or “so the sacred nave, sanctuary and house of worship could be erected and established”. Zechariah shared how the people of Israel were to take heed to the spiritual spokesmen who existed at the time the base structure of the sanctuary and house of worship was established.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how Jehovah God continued to involve Himself in the lives of the people of Israel. They were to rebuild His “temple” within the city of Jerusalem, and because they had forsaken their responsibility, God called them back into action again. Not only were they to allow their physical hands to be firm and resolute, but they were to be reminded of the spiritual spokesmen who gave them direction to rebuild the “temple” when the time of the “foundation” was established. (See Haggai 2:4-9) Having Jehovah God first in their lives was God's directive to the people of Israel, and it was Jesus' word to us as well. “Seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”. (See Matthew 6:33) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), and “for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (See Romans 10:13) God wants a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, and when we hear His voice and surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to “hear” Him when He speaks and put our “hands” to work within His Kingdom.
Next time Zechariah shares how the LORD says, “before these days there was no hire for man”, 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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