Zechariah 1:16-17 (NASBStr)
Therefore thus says the Lord, “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.”’ Again, proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”’”
God is in the business of restoration and transformation. God had sent the nation into captivity due to their lack of obedience via faith in His Word. In this book the people are returning and the prophet Zechariah is encouraging them in the work of rebuilding and refocusing on the things of God. Despite their captivity the people were returning with a bent to rebel, again. In the above verses Zechariah gives them a motivational message using the words that would allow them to see that despite the suffering God had a plan. He is not just returning them to Jerusalem, He is returning to Jerusalem. It would be one thing to be free and go home. It is another to have God with you. God would be with them and with them with "compassion." This restoration of life is always based upon God's unending compassion for His people. The compassion, however, leads to the rebuilding of the house (... my house will be built in it.). Not any house built anyway, but with a plan (a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem). But, it will not be an empty city. It will be a city that flows and overflows "with prospretity" and "The Lord will again comfort". These two verses give us a detailed description of what it means for God to restore us. Christ's work on the cross brings Him into our lives with a relationship that is built on compassion. As He reconstructs us to His measurement of perfection He dwells with us and comforts us and produces in us prosperity. God is in the business of restoration.
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