But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.
But now the Lord promises that He will no longer deal with the remnant of His people as He did in former days. Those former days were a time of affliction, insecurity, and conflict, marked also by hardship and judgment. Spoken while the temple was being rebuilt, the word marks a change to His favorable care toward the remnant, to be followed by prosperity and blessing.
Because nature under His control brings either punishment or blessing, He gave the remnant the fruits of the land in keeping with the message given through Zechariah. The promise belongs to the prophecy of Israel's restoration and points to a spiritual restoration for Israel before the end of time. This assurance goes with the call to do His work faithfully, with peace and joy tied to cleansing the soul temple and turning from sin.
But now the Lord promises that He will no longer deal with the remnant of His people as He did in former days. Those former days were a time of affliction, insecurity, and conflict, marked also by hardship and judgment. Spoken while the temple was being rebuilt, the word marks a change to His favorable care toward the remnant, to be followed by prosperity and blessing.
Because nature under His control brings either punishment or blessing, He gave the remnant the fruits of the land in keeping with the message given through Zechariah. The promise belongs to the prophecy of Israel's restoration and points to a spiritual restoration for Israel before the end of time. This assurance goes with the call to do His work faithfully, with peace and joy tied to cleansing the soul temple and turning from sin.