In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah wrote concerning the people of Israel, “it shall come to pass, that as you were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong”, and in chapter eight and verse fourteen of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the LORD said to Judah and Israel, “as I thought to punish you … I repented not” where we read,
For thus says the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, says the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:
The verse reads, “For thus says the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “for thus says the LORD of hosts” or “because, since and on account therefore 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”; “as I thought to punish you” which means “when and since I, Jehovah God, considered, purposed and devised a plan to do bad, displeasure, hurt and sadness to you, the people of Judah and Israel”, “when your fathers provoked me to wrath” or “at the time and moment your, the people of Israel and Judah's, male forefathers, progenitors and ancestors displeased, angered and enraged me, Jehovah God”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God who rules over angel armies recalled the time He considered doing hurt and displeasure to the people of Israel because their forefathers caused Him to be angry.
The verse continues, “... says the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:” Zechariah added the words, “says the LORD of hosts” or “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”, “and I repented not” which means “and I, Jehovah God, was not sorry, regretful, moved with pity or compassionate”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God who rules over angel armies was not sorry nor did He regret that He thought to “punish” the people of Israel.
When we consider Zechariah's words in this verse, we discover how Jehovah God considered bringing great judgment upon the people of Judah and Israel at the time their forefathers caused Him to be angry. They did not follow His ways, and the forsook all the paths that God designed for them. When they rejected Him over and over again, Jehovah God became angry with them, and they deserved to be corrected. God's plan for mankind is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of us all. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us by His Holy Spirit in alignment with His truth so He has no need to be angry with us.
Next time Zechariah shares how the LORD says to Judah and Israel, “I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem”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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