“A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: ‘I am zealous for Zion—I care! I’m angry about Zion—I’m involved!'”(Zechariah 8:2 MSG)
Corey Stark recently spoke on understanding the heart of Jesus for Israel and he says that, “There is no subject more significant in its implications and consequences (eternal positive and negative), more pervasive throughout Scripture, more controversial in every realm (political, social), more catalytic (powder keg) or more central to God’s eternal purpose than Israel (Gen. 12:3; Rom. 11:22). The Jewish people are the “apple of His eye” or at the center of His focus (Deut. 32:10; Zech. 2:8). The LORD will ensure that everyone makes their decision known concerning how they feel about Israel (Zech. 12:3).” There are so many verses on this subject – this message alone has 10 pages of verses and notes regarding this subject!
Zechariah 8:2 is just one verse but it packs a good punch. The NKJ says “I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her!” Some have interpreted the word zealous as jealous – meaning possessive. So the Almighty God, creator of the universe, captain of the angel armies, is jealous for Zion. Zion often refers to the city of Jerusalem, which as we know is like the nucleus of Israel. In this verse, it refers specifically of Jerusalem as an abode of, and place of worship. Jerusalem, the place where worship abides. That’s interesting, isn’t it? It is where He chose to have Solomon build the place where the focus of the glory of God was centered upon the earth before Jesus Christ came and tore the curtain in half, thus opening the lines of communications between God and man. No more priest necessary! But this place, Jerusalem, the Lord is full of zeal for! In fact the verse goes on to say that His zeal is an angry zeal. It’s a heat, an zealous flame type of a zeal – a fervent heat. The word intensity comes to mind – The Lord is intense for Jerusalem!
So that begs the question… what is He zealous for? And I believe that answer comes in Isaiah 62:1 when He says, For Zion’s sake, I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns! The whole chapter is overflowing with blessing. Read this and know that this is God’s heart for His people!
Regarding Zion, I can’t keep my mouth shut,
regarding Jerusalem, I can’t hold my tongue,
Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun
and her salvation flames up like a torch.
Foreign countries will see your righteousness,
and world leaders your glory.
You’ll get a brand-new name
straight from the mouth of God.
You’ll be a stunning crown in the palm of God’s hand,
a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.
No more will anyone call you Rejected,
and your country will no more be called Ruined.
You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight),
and your land Beulah (Married),
Because God delights in you
and your land will be like a wedding celebration.
For as a young man marries his virgin bride,
so your builder marries you,
And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride,
so your God is happy with you.
I’ve posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.
Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out,
reminding God to remember.
They are to give him no peace until he does what he said,
until he makes Jerusalem famous as the City of Praise.
God has taken a solemn oath,
an oath he means to keep:
“Never again will I open your grain-filled barns
to your enemies to loot and eat.
Never again will foreigners drink the wine
that you worked so hard to produce.
No. The farmers who grow the food will eat the food
and praise God for it.
And those who make the wine will drink the wine
in my holy courtyards.”
Walk out of the gates. Get going!
Get the road ready for the people.
Build the highway. Get at it!
Clear the debris,
hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!
Yes! God has broadcast to all the world:
“Tell daughter Zion, ‘Look! Your Savior comes,
Ready to do what he said he’d do,
prepared to complete what he promised.’”
Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed,
Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.
Amazing! Corey says, “The LORD is calling all believers to agree with, boldly proclaim and continually pray for His purposes concerning Israel to be accomplished (Ps. 122:6; Isa. 62:6-7, 10-12; Joel 2:17; Rom. 10:1), while fearlessly standing with them through their persecutions and actively resisting the attacks of the enemy against them. There is a special blessing for all who stand with God’s heart for Israel (Gen. 12:3; 27:29; Num. 24:9).”