Daily Devotions
Zechariah
"You shall be a blessing"
Text: Zechariah 8:13
THE COVENANT GIVEN TO ISRAEL
The covenant that the LORD gave to Israel in the days of Moses contained both Curses and Blessings (Deuteronomy 28). This was experienced by Israel first-hand.
“And it shall come to pass
That just as you were a curse among the nations,
O house of Judah and house of Israel,
So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing.
Do not fear,
Let your hands be strong.”
Zechariah 8:13
1. The house of Israel and Judah were addressed
a) Originally, there was only Israel.
b) The United Monarchy split into two in the reign of King Rehoboam (1 Kings 12).
2. “A curse among the nations”
a) A curse results from God’s judgment.
b) There were many “curses” given to Israel as a warning (Deuteronomy 28).
c) But Israel rejected God and His word.
d) God’s curse caused the nation to be exiled from their homeland.
3. A glorious hope was given
a) “I will save you”
i) This was a promise of divine deliverance.
ii) God will deliver His people and bring them back to their homeland.
b) “You shall be a blessing”
God would remove the curse and make Israel a blessing instead.