EGW WritingsZechariah 8

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 154, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 154, 1906, par. 24

In connection with these Scriptures, read the first four chapters of the prophecy of Zechariah and the entire book of Malachi.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 138, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 138, 1899, par. 33

“And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. ... And it shall come to pass that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah and the house of Israel, so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing; fear not, but let your hands be strong. ... As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, ... and I repented not, so again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem,” and I repented not. [Zechariah 8:2-5, 13-15.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 59—“The House of Israel”

PK 703.2

This promise of blessing should have met fulfillment in large measure during the centuries following the return of the Israelites from the lands of their captivity. It was God’s design that the whole earth be prepared for the first advent of Christ, even as today the way is preparing for His second coming. At the end of the years of humiliating exile, God graciously gave to His people Israel, through Zechariah, the assurance: “I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain.” And of His people He said, “Behold, ... I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” Zechariah 8:3, 7, 8.

PK 704.1

These promises were conditional on obedience. The sins that had characterized the Israelites prior to the captivity, were not to be repeated. “Execute true judgment,” the Lord exhorted those who were engaged in rebuilding; “and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother: and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother.” “Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.” Zechariah 7:9, 10; 8:16.

PK 704.2

Rich were the rewards, both temporal and spiritual, promised those who should put into practice these principles of righteousness. “The seed shall be prosperous,” the Lord declared; “the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so I will save you, and ye shall be a blessing.” Zechariah 8:12, 13.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 59—Where Is God’s True Israel?

SS 363.2

This promise of blessing should have met fulfillment in large measure during the centuries following the return of the Israelites from captivity. It was God’s design that the whole earth be prepared for the first advent of Christ, even as today the way is preparing for His second coming. See Zechariah 8:3, 7, 8.

SS 363.3

The sins that had characterized Israel prior to the captivity were not to be repeated. “Execute true judgment,” the Lord exhorted those engaged in rebuilding. “Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.” Zechariah 7:9; 8:16.

SS 363.4

Rich were the rewards promised those who should practice these principles: “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.” Zechariah 8:13.

The Retirement Years

Helpful Bible Texts for Seniors

RY 188.8

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.—Zechariah 8:4, 5.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 1 [Nos. 19-96]

MR No. 73—Material for Compilation on Our Jewish Work

1MR 315.1

There is to be true, sincere missionary work done for the Jews. A little is being done, but it is as nothing compared with what might be done. There is a decided failure to take hold of this work as we ought. Let the people of the Lord meditate and pray over this matter. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; as I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked Me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts, and I repented not: So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not” (Zechariah 8:14, 15).

1MR 315.3

“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” (Zechariah 8:9-13). “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness” (Zechariah 8:7, 8). Letter 42, 1912, pp. 1, 2. (To “Dear Brethren,” November 6, 1911.)

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 42, 1912

25LtMs, Lt 42, 1912, par. 3

A strange spirit has been coming in among our people; but now there is to be an awakening. There is to be true, sincere missionary work done for the Jews. A little is being done, but it is as nothing compared with what might be done. There is a decided failure to take hold of this work as we ought. Let the people of the Lord meditate and pray over this matter. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked Me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts, and I repented not; so again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and the house of Judah: fear ye not.” Zechariah 8:14, 15.

25LtMs, Lt 42, 1912, par. 6

“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.” “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall by My people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” [Verses 9-13, 7, 8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 116, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 116, 1897, par. 24

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophet, which were in the days that the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, that the temple might be built. For before those days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction; for I set all men every one against his neighbor. But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts. For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of the people to possess all these things.” [Zechariah 8:9-12.]

12LtMs, Ms 116, 1897, par. 25

What blessed assurance is here given. Outward glory, while the soul temple is corrupted, is not of the highest value in God’s sight. “So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear ye not.” [Verse 15.] The cleansing of the soul temple is essential if we would have peace and joy in the Lord. The Lord specifies the things that are to beautify the soul temple and represent His sacred attributes in good works. “These are the things that ye shall do: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.” [Verse 16.] Those among God’s professed people who practice selfishness and double dealing, will be rewarded according to their works. There may be peace, and there should be peace. Contention and dissension are not of God but are the fruit borne by the wild olive tree. “And let none of you imagine evil in his heart against his neighbor; and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.” [Verse 17.]

With God at Dawn

Prosperity Promised the Remnant, November 28

WGD 334.1

For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. Zechariah 8:12.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)

Lt 124, 1909

24LtMs, Lt 124, 1909, par. 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.” [Zechariah 8:13.]

My Life Today

Speak the Truth to My Neighbor, August 17

ML 233.1

These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. Zechariah 8:16.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 126, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 126, 1897, par. 14

“These are the things that ye shall do: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates, and let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.” [Zechariah 8:16, 17.] This is the evil we are to guard against. We read of the working of Satan in bearing false witness against Christ, and we know that every child of rebellion will do this evil work. They spoke against Christ, who was without stain or spot, and they will speak against His followers. Why then are not the professed followers of Jesus Christ afraid to treat their brethren and sisters as the Jewish nation treated the world’s Redeemer?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 186, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 186, 1897, par. 14

“These are the things that ye shall do: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates, and let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.” [Zechariah 8:16, 17.]

Radiant Religion

Should Be Found in the Assembly of His Saints, May 28

RRe 150.1

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. Zechariah 8:19.