Chapter 8

1 The restoration of Jerusalem. 9 They are encouraged to the building by God’s favour to them. 16 Good works are required of them. 18 Joy and enlargement are promised.

1. Again the word. Verses 1–8 describe God’s promise to dwell with His people in a restored, fully populated Jerusalem.

2. Thus saith the Lord. This formula appears 10 times in ch. 8. The repetition certifies the reliability of the divine promises. In every instance but one (v. 3) the more complete form, “Thus saith the Lord of hosts,” occurs.

Jealous for Zion. Compare Joel 2:18.

3. Returned. The fact that the restoration of the city and of the Temple were now in progress, indicated that God had come back to His people (see ch. 2:10). However, the verb translated “am returned” may also be rendered as a future (see LXX; RSV). What had thus far been accomplished was only the beginning of what God purposed to do for Jerusalem.

Truth. Heb. Хemeth, “firmness,” “trustworthiness,” “dependability,” “stability,” “faithfulness,” “truth.” Hence the reading “the faithful city” (RSV). The LXX reads “the true [genuine] city.”

Holy mountain. Here used synonymously with Jerusalem (see Isa. 27:13; 66:20).

4. There shall yet. Verses 4–15 describe Jerusalem as it might have been through the centuries (see pp. 27–30). It was God’s design that the Israel of the restoration should accept the glorious destiny long ago planned for them. Had they been willing to work in harmony with the purposes of Heaven, the temporal prosperity and spiritual power here described would have been theirs to enjoy. Jerusalem “might have stood forth in the pride of prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, free in the strength of her God-given power” (DA 577). However, the promises were “conditional on obedience” (PK 704), and Israel failed to fulfill the divine purpose (see Vol. IV. pp. 30–33).

For very age. Literally, “from a multitude of days.” Longevity would have been the reward for obedience (see Gen. 15:15; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 4:40; Ps. 91:16; see on Isa. 65:20; see also p. 27). An early death was considered a punishment for sin (see Ps. 55:23).

5. Boys and girls. A sign of a healthy growth in population and of restored security (see Hosea 1:10).

6. Marvellous. From the Heb. palaХ, which may be translated “to be too difficult” (see Gen. 18:14; Deut. 17:8; etc.). Thus understood, there is a rebuke here for lack of faith. If Israel lacked the necessary faith, what God planned to do would be “too difficult” for Him. On the other hand, palaХ also means “to be different,” “to be conspicuous,” “to be curious,” hence the translation “marvellous.”

7. I will save. God will “save” His scattered people and “bring” (v. 8) them again to their own land. Once more they will “dwell” in peace and security and “be my people” (v. 8).

The east country. The two directions mentioned in this verse may symbolize universal extent (see Ps. 50:1; Mal. 1:11; Matt. 8:11).

8. My people. A pledge that the covenant would be renewed (see Jer. 31:33).

9. Hands be strong. A charge to be courageous (see Judges 7:11; Isa. 35:3).

In these days. The then present time contrasted with the time of the “former prophets” (ch. 7:7). The prophets here referred to, Haggai and Zechariah, rallied the returned exiles to the laying of “the foundation” of the Temple and its rebuilding (Ezra 6:14; PK 573–578, 596).

10. Before these days. An allusion to the time of inaction (see Ezra 4) that followed the laying of the first foundation of the Temple after the return from the Captivity. There was “no hire,” that is, no wage, because the land failed to produce, and extreme poverty prevailed (see Haggai 1:11; 2:17).

The state of no “peace” was caused by the opposition of the hostile people of the land to the work of Temple restoration (Ezra 4:4). The words “every one against his neighbour” indicate internal dissensions among the returned Jews in addition to external opposition.

11. I will not be. Because of their new diligence in the work of restoration, God’s attitude toward the “residue” changed (see Haggai 2:18, 19). “As in the former days” refers to the time of inactivity mentioned in v. 10.

12. Prosperous. The crops would be safe from appropriation by the enemy (see Lev. 26:16), and thus “be prosperous” (see Lev. 26:4–6).

13. A curse. See Jer. 24:9.

House of Judah. The fact that both the house of Judah and the house of Israel are mentioned shows that the restoration was to be composed of the descendants of all 12 tribes (see Jer. 50:17–20, 33, 34). That some of each of the 12 tribes had returned seems evident (see on Ezra 6:17).

A blessing. On the role of the Israel of the restoration see pp. 27–30.

14. Repented not. See on ch. 7:13.

15. To do well. Compare Jer. 31:28. The prophet contrasts the past with the future.

16. Ye shall do. The glorious promises were conditional on obedience. Verses 16, 17 lay stress on the moral virtues (see on Micah 6:8). See pp. 27, 28.

19. Fast. Reverting to the original question (see ch. 7:3, 5), God declares that these fasts commemorating earlier calamities would be changed into joyful occasions. The fasts of the “fourth” and “fifth” months (Tammuz and Ab) doubtless commemorated the capture and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (see 2 Kings 25:1–9; Jer. 52:12–16); that of the “seventh” month (Tishri), perhaps the murder of Gedaliah and the flight into Egypt (see 2 Kings 25:22–26; Jer. 41:1, 2; cf. Zech. 7:5); and that of the “tenth” month (Tebeth) probably the time when Nebuchadnezzar began the siege of Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 25:1, 2; Jer. 52:4).

20. People. Israel’s goodly estate was to be a demonstration to all nations of the benefits and results of a sincere worship of Yahweh. As a result of the demonstration many from these nations would be led to worship the Lord (see pp. 28, 29).

21. Let us go speedily. Isaiah describes this same movement (see on Isa. 2:2–4).

22. Seek the Lord. Marvelous would have been the results if the Israelites upon their return from exile had fulfilled their glorious destiny. The whole earth would have been prepared for the first advent of Christ (see pp. 29, 30; PK 704).

23. All languages. Representing a universal movement.

Take hold. An illustration further emphasizing the extent of the missionary movement. How tragic that the Israelites turned from their “glorious destiny, and selfishly appropriated to themselves that which would have brought healing and spiritual life to countless multitudes” (PK 705)

The lesson is for the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). God is now accomplishing His purposes through His church on earth (see pp. 35, 36). Its members are to disseminate the light of truth to all nations (Rev. 14:6). In their personal lives they are to make the religion of Jesus Christ so attractive that others will be drawn to surrender their lives to the Saviour. God’s church is now to be a blessing to the world (Zech. 8:13).

Ellen G. White comments

3, 7, 8, 12, 13 PK 704

13   PK 576

16   ML 233; PK 704