Everyone is welcome to listen to this exposition of Zechariah 8:1-17, prepared especially for a Sunday school class at Olde Towne Community Church, Ridgeland, Mississippi. The title given to this lesson in the recording is simply “The Lord Promises to Bless His People.” That title, however, seemed so bland and inadequate.

The passage from Zechariah is about “the Lord Almighty’s” promise of blessing to His discouraged people. Although they had returned from Exile in Babylon, they were not enjoying the blessings that the prophets had foretold. The most important thing, however is God’s renewal of the greatest promise of all–the promise of His permanent presence among them: “they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.” (Zechariah 8:8). He then calls on them to reflect the holy character of the God who dwells with them. They are to radiate His likeness by making Him the center of their lives and their community and by living in integrity, justice, and concern for one another.

Be sure to open your Bible (or your device) to Zechariah 8 while you listen. Zechariah is the next to last book in the Old Testament!