Zechariah 8:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"I have determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah" reflects a profound declaration, not merely an intention, but a firm resolution towards them, an indication of unwavering purpose. He affirms the promise further, saying, "Go on." In like manner, Christ assures us, called through faith, regarding the truth. (Rom. 1:28) Even now, He has chosen and ordained, as expressed, to bless the Church and the house of Judah, meaning all who honor and glorify Him as Lord, Savior, and Redeemer; indeed, "Judah" signifies praise. Additionally, the house of Judah can refer to the Church from another perspective; it is known as the house of Christ, who came from Judah, as noted in the Scriptures. Hence, the patriarch James remarks, "Judah, to thee shall thy brethren praise" (Gen. 49:8). Moreover, "From the prey, my son, thou art gone up" (Gen. 49:9); for Christ also arose from the lineage of Jesse, as if from the tender shoot of the holy Virgin, a branch and a rod of strength, as proclaimed by the Prophet (Ps. 109:2). Accordingly, it is rightly said to us, "Boldly," for the Father, through Christ, "hath crowned us with the weapon of His good pleasure - with salvation and grace" (Psalm 5:13).

The LXX translates it: And it shall be, as you have been a curse among the nations, the house of Judah and the house of Israel, so will I rescue you, and you shall be a blessing: maintain strong faith, and let your hearts or hands be strengthened, for thus says the Lord Almighty: Just as I contemplated your provocation to wrath when your forefathers frustrated Me, and I did not relent; I have prepared to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah in these days: maintain strong faith. After the temple is constructed, He assures a future where, just as previously the house of Judah and the house of Israel, encompassing both the two and ten tribes, were subjected to curses, mockery, and derision among the nations, so too, when they are saved and return to Judah, they shall be a blessing to all. Do not fear, He says, from warlike foes: firmly believe in the promises given by the Lord through me. Strengthen your hands, and complete the work begun. The underpinning of their fortitude is the divine promise: These words are from the Lord Almighty, for whom nothing is impossible and who is able to fulfill His promises. Just as I had resolved to grieve you and deliver you into captivity due to the transgressions of your ancestors, which led to My anger without relent—translated in the LXX as οὐ μετενόησα and in Hebrew as nlo naamathi (ולא נחמתי)—I did not relent in order to reform you through captivity and instruct you through every trial and chastisement. So, in this present time, I have determined to bestow blessings upon Jerusalem and upon the house of Judah. It should be noted that when He is angry, the house of Judah and the house of Israel, meaning all twelve tribes in exile, become a curse among the Gentile nations; yet upon deciding to bestow blessings, those are directed specifically to Jerusalem and the house of Judah, not to the entirety of Israel—that is, not to the twelve tribes, namely Jerusalem and Samaria, Oolah and Oolibah, but solely to the remnant of Israel in captivity—blessings are conferred to Jerusalem and the house of Judah, followed by the exhortation: Do not fear or: Have steadfast faith, echoing what has been stated above.

With respect to the Church and every believer, this scripture may be understood to imply that Christians, amidst persecution, became the targets of curses and scornful remarks from surrounding nations, as a result of causing grief to their Lord; yet, in due time, they shall be transformed into a blessing when peace emerges, and these promises will be fulfilled, for the Lord, who was previously angered with Jerusalem, will eventually show mercy towards it, signifying a vision of peace and to Judah, representing one who confesses faith in the Lord. Furthermore, individual believers cast out from the Church and delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (1 Cor. 5:5), that they may learn not to blaspheme (1 Tim. 1:20), upon repenting, return to their former standing, witness the peace of God, and receive glory for their profession of faith.

Regarding the expression that I have not had mercy or that I have not repented, heretics distort its meaning, suggesting that God is either cruel or inconsistent; if He repents, He is changeable, and if He does not repent, He is harsh. Indeed, when God repented regarding Saul's anointing to the kingship (1 Sam. 15:1-2), and concerning the Ninevites, to whom He proclaimed through a prophet, Three days more, and Nineveh shall face destruction (Jon. 3:4), after their repentance, He, according to the prophet, changed His mind—not due to ignorance, but rather reflecting the unpredictability of those who vacillate between good and evil. Should they engage in wrongdoing, He issues threats; conversely, when they mourn their past sins, He extends mercy: God remains unchanging and constant; however, when humans replace righteous actions with wrong deeds, His determination adjusts accordingly. As stated in Genesis, The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah has become great; therefore I will descend to see whether their actions have matched the outcry that has reached Me, or not, so that I may know (Gen. 18:20-21). His message is clear: If they persist in their folly, the punishment remains for the wicked; yet, if they abandon their madness, they become worthy of My recognition: for God knows those who belong to Him (2 Tim. 2:19), as the Apostle notes to the Galatians: But then those who do not know God (Gal. 4:8). Although God knows everything, and nothing from the past, present, or future is hidden from Him, He states in the Gospel that He does not recognize the unrighteous: Depart from Me, you who work evil, I never knew you (Luke 13:27). Thus, we must discuss God’s knowledge, repentance, anger, indignation, and all inner movements, not through the confines of human limitations, but in a manner fitting the Divine majesty.