TEXT:
"[1] And the word of the LORD of hosts came, saying, [2] "Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. [3] Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. [4] Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. [5] And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. [6] Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the LORD of hosts? [7] Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, [8] and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Spend a few moments discussion the difference between a righteous jealously and an unrighteousness jealousy. How is God’s righteous jealousy a comforting reality for God’s people here?
In verse 3, we see how God’s presence is transformational. Spend a few moments reflecting on your own life. How has the LORD sanctified you over the days/months/years that you’ve followed him?
In verses 7-8, we see God’s plan to bring people from the east and the west to “dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.” How should these verses impact the way we live? How can we, as a community group, better take the hope of the gospel to the ends of the earth?
SERMON MANUSCRIPT:
Springtime is a busy season for the Parazine household. It's a time when sports and extracurricular activities run rampant. It's when Kayla is trying to balance being a teacher and a student. So, in the midst of our busyness, I find my heart longing for rest, security, and solemn and joyful fellowship. I have this fairy tale longing in my heart for a Friday night where the weather is perfect and the kids are playing with friends in the backyard while we hang out with our family and friends eating burgers and drinking a cold drink.
We'll discover in our passage today that God promises this type of future for his people. God promises his people who have been plagued with oppression and lack that their future will be peaceful and secure. They will no longer be a city of ruins without protection from their outside enemies. Jerusalem would be transformed into a "faithful city" and a "holy mountain." God will be with them and he will protect them, giving them unparalleled safety. The elderly, with canes in hand, will be sitting on their front porches as the kids play in the streets. As the LORD continues to answer the question regarding the corporate practice of fasting, we find God offering his people an unbelievable amount of hope in today's passage.
In these verses, we will be reminded of six things:
God is jealous for his people.
God protects his people.
God disciplines his people.
God transforms his people.
God dwells with his people.
God is creating a city without walls (a diverse, yet united people from all over the world).
So, let's dive in.
"[1] And the word of the LORD of hosts came, saying, [2] "Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. [3] Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. [4] Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. [5] And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. [6] Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the LORD of hosts? [7] Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, [8] and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness."
GOD IS JEALOUS
Whenever we study Scripture, we should always take note of repeated words or themes. We repeat ourselves when we want someone to understand what we're saying. In this instance, God's jealousy is mentioned three times in these first two verses. Therefore, we can safely conclude that the jealousy of God is essential to the point of this passage. God is jealous for his people, and out of his jealousy for his people, he will act on behalf of his people.
When we think about jealousy, we likely think about it negatively. In doing so, we're equating jealousy with the word envy. We're thinking of it as the act of resentfully wanting something that does not rightfully belong to us, which is sinful. Sinful jealousy is looking at something someone else has and wanting and resenting that person because of it. Sinful jealousy is looking at how much money your friend makes at his job and resenting him because of it.
But the Bible makes it clear that God cannot sin. Therefore, the jealousy God feels must be righteous. God's jealousy/zeal toward his people is good, not evil. In this context, it is an act of grace that should still the fearful hearts of his people. Yes, God is jealous for his people with "great jealousy." But his jealousy is not rooted in lack or want. And his jealousy leads to righteous action, not unrighteous actions. God is not jealous because someone or something possesses something he wants, lacks, or needs. God feels the emotion of jealousy when someone gives to another something that rightfully belongs to him.
In the Old Testament, we see this spoken of regarding worship. Worship belongs solely to God and God alone. God tells his people in Exodus 34:14, "for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." So, when those who belong to God take worship (which rightfully belongs to God) and give it to someone or something else, God is provoked into jealousy. He zealously yearns for his people to worship him alone.
If you're married, you might have experienced this emotion before. When you get married, you willingly commit yourself to your spouse, saying, "I am fully yours, and you are fully mine. Together we are one." Neither one of you have full authority over your own body. So, if your spouse were to give another person time, attention, affection, or intimacy, you would become jealous. Your spouse is giving someone else something that rightfully belongs to you.
Here's why that's important. God's jealousy for his people implies a relationship with his people. Despite their sin and God's judgment, there is still a relationship between God and his people. God has not abandoned them. God did not become indifferent toward them. He did not fall out of love with them. He is still jealous for those who belong to him. His anger toward them was for only a moment. His compassion has aroused, and he's again declaring his love for his people.
At the heart of this verse, we see the LORD's burning desire to be with his people. So, if you are in Christ today, you belong to God. You are his, and he is yours. God is jealous for you. He loves you with a deep and sincere covenantal love. So, like a warm blanket on a cold night, may God's jealousy for you cover your weary heart with immense comfort.
At the end of verse 2, we see God is jealous for his people "with great wrath." There's a temptation to read this verse and think God's wrath is directed toward his people. But may we not fall into such a vile trap. God is not a drunken lover who beats his bride out of jealousy. He is a loving groom who protects his bride with great wrath. His wrath is not directed toward his bride but at the oppressor of his bride. The mentioning of his jealousy here is a promise of protection and deliverance. God is jealous with great wrath toward the enemies of his people, meaning he will protect his people at all costs.
Church, here's an unbelievably comforting reality of the gospel: those in Christ have no reason to fear in this life or in the life to come. God protects his people. At the cross, Jesus uttered the hopeful words, "It is finished," meaning your salvation is complete, and your enemy has been defeated. God's wrath has been poured on his Son, crushing your greatest enemy: sin, death, and Satan. God is creating for himself a redeemed people who are safe in him.
GOD’S PRESENCE IS TRANSFORMATIONAL
As we continue to read in verse 3, we see the LORD reminding his people that he has returned to them, which is transformative to their city— "Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain."
The phrase "I have returned to Zion" assumes that he had left Zion for a period of time, but now he has returned. We see in Ezekiel 10 that the "glory of the LORD went out from the threshold of the house," opening up Jerusalem to the invasion of her enemies. The act of God leaving was an act of discipline on his people. God disciplines those that he loves. But he does not abandon and forsake those that he loves forever.
The Lord has now returned. And because the LORD has returned, their identity and security have been transformed. They will go from an unfaithful people to a "faithful city." They will transition from an unholy people to a "holy mountain."
Church, when you invite Jesus into your life, your identity changes. Because you have the Holy Spirit residing within you, you are cleansed, and you have been made righteous. Because of God's presence, we are now a faithful city and a holy mountain set apart for God's purpose. God's presence is purifying; it's sanctifying. When God moves in, sin moves out. Thinking that you can have a relationship with God while continuing to walk in sin is foolish. God's presence is transformational.
SAFE AND SOUND
As we continue to read in verses 4-5, we see the LORD describing what this city will consist of— "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets."
The older I get, the more I long for peaceful Friday nights. So, these verses tug on my heartstrings. These so vividly describe one of my heart's deepest longings.
But here's the thing.
My longing for a restful Friday night likely paled compared to the longing of God's people at this time. These people are coming out of 72 years of captivity in Babylon. Then, for months, they traveled back to Jerusalem. Then, for years, they lived in a city of ruins, trying to rebuild it piece by piece, brick by brick. And as they sought to rebuild Jerusalem, they faced opposition from their neighboring countries.
So from the average eye, their city was far from safe. Yet, the LORD says they will be safe and secure because he has returned to them. Their safety will not come from a strong army but from God's presence with them. He will be the shield of protection they need. His presence among them is all they need.
Where God's people had grown accustomed to distress and oppression, they would soon experience safety and security. Where they had grown used to sadness and misery, they would soon experience joy and laughter. Their future kingdom will be one of comfort and tranquility for all people. Old men and women will be kicked back on their porches with a cold drink in hand as their grandchildren run around playing safely. There will be no fear of outside oppression. There will be no concern about internal turmoil. God's presence among his people will lead to complete security and joy.
This was likely a profound thought that God's people couldn't fathom at this time. So, the LORD responds in verse 6, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the LORD of hosts?"
What the LORD is essentially saying here is, "Is anything too difficult for me?" What seems out of the realm of possibility for man is an everyday thing to God. We see the LORD say something similar in speaking to Abraham when he promised him a son in his old age— "Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son (Gen. 18:14)." So, the idea of them dwelling securely seems to them like a faint reality, but to God, it's as easy as counting to 3.
A CITY WITHOUT WALLS
As we continue to read in verses 7-8, the LORD says, "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 to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness."
What beautiful imagery here! Here we see God promising salvation to his people far and wide. When I read these verses, I was reminded of what Wayne said a few weeks back when preaching on Zechariah 6. In Zechariah 6, the LORD promises protection from their enemies from the north and the south, but he never mentions the east or the west. Wayne made the helpful point that to the east of Jerusalem was the desert, and to the west was water. So it would be challenging for their enemies to journey from the east or the west. Therefore, he doesn't mention it. Yet, now the LORD is saying that those from the east and the west will come to dwell in Jerusalem.
The LORD is saying here that those far off will be brought near to "dwell in the midst of Jerusalem." God is creating a city that consists of men and women from all over the world. At the heart of the gospel, we see God's desire to save all people: men and women from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
This is a reiteration of the words spoken in chapter 1, where God promised to make Jerusalem a city without walls. Church, we are a part of a [C]ity without walls today. If your faith resides in Jesus, you have been grafted into God's family, and your residency is in Jerusalem. Your license may say, "Alabama," but your heart says, "Jerusalem." You dwell with God now, and God dwells with you.
As a parent of three children who sometimes struggle to sleep in their beds, I've learned that we rest best when we feel the safest. And you couldn't be any safer than you are today in Christ Jesus. There is nothing that could rip you out of the pierced hands of God today. Nothing, neither death nor life, nor angels or rulers, nothing in the future and nothing in the past, no amount of power, no height, no depth, nothing in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. So, may your spirit find rest in the finished work of the cross today.
CITY = COMMUNITY
These verses also teach us that the Christian faith is communal. You don't have the opportunity to live outside the Christian faith as a recluse. No, you have been saved into a holy city where we dwell securely in Christ together. Together in this life, we grow old, raising our kids to know and love Jesus. Together we trust in Christ. Together we remind each other that our God is a mighty fortress.