Zechariah 8:15

So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.

So again {H7725} have I thought {H2161} in these days {H3117} to do well {H3190} unto Jerusalem {H3389} and to the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063}: fear {H3372} ye not.

so now, I resolve to do good to Yerushalayim and to the house of Y'hudah. Don't be afraid!

“so now I have resolved to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.

so again have I thought in these days to do good unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.

Commentary on Zechariah 8:15

The prophet Zechariah delivers a powerful message of hope and divine reversal in Zechariah 8:15. This verse stands as a cornerstone of God's renewed covenant with His people after a period of discipline and exile. It assures the remnant of Judah and Jerusalem that God’s intentions have shifted from judgment to abundant blessing and prosperity.

Context of Zechariah 8:15

This verse is situated within a larger prophetic discourse (Zechariah chapters 7-8) that addresses questions about fasting during the post-exilic period. The people had returned from Babylon but faced significant challenges in rebuilding the temple and their lives. Zechariah 7 recounts their past disobedience that led to the seventy-year exile (Zechariah 7:12). However, Zechariah 8 dramatically shifts the tone, emphasizing God's intense zeal for Zion and His desire to restore its fortunes. Verses 9-14 highlight the previous hardships and the divine promise to now "do well" where before there was scarcity and fear. Zechariah 8:15 serves as a direct summary of this new divine disposition.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Reversal and Restoration: The phrase "So again have I thought in these days to do well" signifies a deliberate change in God's dealings with His people. Where His thoughts previously included judgment for their sins, they now turn to favor and blessing for Jerusalem and the house of Judah. This restoration applies not just to physical rebuilding but also to spiritual renewal.
  • God's Steadfast Purpose: Despite human failings, God's ultimate purpose for His chosen people remains steadfast. He is faithful to His promises, even when His people are not (2 Timothy 2:13). This verse underscores divine initiative in bringing about good.
  • Exhortation to Trust: The command "fear ye not" is a common biblical refrain, urging faith over anxiety in the face of God's declared intentions. It calls the people to lay aside their apprehensions and embrace the promised future, trusting in God's benevolent plan for their well-being and prosperity, much like the broader message of Isaiah 41:10.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "to do well" is yatab (יטב). It carries the meaning of being good, pleasing, right, or to do good, to benefit, to make prosperous. It implies a comprehensive well-being, encompassing not just material blessings but also peace and flourishing. The repetition of "again have I thought" emphasizes the deliberate and renewed nature of God's benevolent decision, indicating a profound shift from His previous disciplinary posture.

Practical Application

For believers today, Zechariah 8:15 offers immense encouragement. It reminds us that even after periods of difficulty, discipline, or personal failure, God's ultimate intention for His children is to do good. It serves as a powerful antidote to despair, inviting us to trust in His plans for our lives, which are often for hope and a future. When we face challenges or feel the weight of past mistakes, this verse encourages us to "fear not," because God is actively working to bring about His good purposes in our lives and communities.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 8:13

    And it shall come to pass, [that] as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, [but] let your hands be strong.

  • Micah 7:18

    Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

  • Micah 7:20

    Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

  • Luke 12:32

    Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

  • Micah 4:10

    Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go [even] to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

  • Micah 4:13

    Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

  • Jeremiah 32:42

    For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

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