Zechariah 8:7

"The LORD of Armies says: “If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my eyes?” says the LORD of Armies."

Key Reflection

Zechariah 8:7 challenges the people to reconsider their perception of God's miraculous works. In the historical context, this prophecy was given post-exile, addressing the returning exiles in Jerusalem who were rebuilding the temple and re-establishing their community after the Babylonian exile. The verse suggests that if something appears extraordinary or significant to these contemporary Israelites, it should also be seen as remarkable by God Himself. This rhetorical question underscores the idea that God's sovereignty extends beyond human understanding and that His actions are always worthy of awe and reverence, even in a post-exilic context where the people might have grown complacent or less responsive to divine intervention.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

I will save My people from the East country and from the West country -Dionysius: “that is, the whole world; for Israel had been scattered in every part of the world.” God had said to Israel, “I will bring thy seed from the east and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Keep not back”Isaiah 43:5-6. The two tribes had been carried to Babylon and had been dispersed, or had been allowed to migrate to the various provinces of the Babylonian or Persian empire. But these were in the East, though commonly called the north, because they invaded Israel from the north. Those who had migrated to Egypt were in the south. As yet none were in the West.

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