Zechariah 8:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Just as nothing could impede His desire to subject them to hardship due to their transgressions, so too will there be no obstacle when He chooses to bestow goodness and resolves to show compassion to those who have endured enough. "I have determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah"; this statement is particularly meaningful, as it conveys not merely intention but a settled disposition of heart, signifying a firm resolve. He then affirms the truth of this promise by adding, "Go on." In a similar way, Christ assures us, who are called through faith, with regard to our understanding of the truth (Rom. 1:28); in these times, He has intended and enacted, as He proclaims, to bless the church and the house of Judah, meaning those who profess and honor Him as Lord, Savior, and Redeemer; for Judah signifies praise. Moreover, the term "house of Judah" can also refer to the church in another context; it is described as the house of Christ, who is of the lineage of Judah, as noted in the sacred texts. Thus, the patriarch James cited him, saying, "Judah, your brothers shall praise you" (Gen. 49:8). Additionally, "From the progeny of my son, you have risen" (Gen. 49:9); for Christ ascended from the root of Jesse, as it were, from the tender shoot of the holy Virgin, a branch and a rod of strength, in line with the words of the Prophet (Ps. 109:2). Therefore, 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).

After the temple has been constructed, He assures a future where, unlike the past when the house of Judah and the house of Israel, representing the two and ten tribes, were ridiculed among the nations, they will now be restored and become a blessing to all. Do not fear the hostile enemies; hold firmly to your belief that the promises made by the Lord through Me are reliable. Strengthen your hands and carry out the work that has begun. The reason for your strengthening comes from the divine promise: These things, says the Lord Almighty, for whom nothing is impossible, and who can accomplish what He has promised.

Just as I had determined to cause you grief and to lead you into captivity because your ancestors angered Me and I showed no mercy—translated in the Septuagint as "οὐ μετενόησα," meaning I did not repent; in Hebrew, this is expressed as "nlo naamathi" (ולא נחמתי); I did not relent in order to correct you through your exile and instruct you through every trial—likewise, at this time I have resolved to send blessings upon Jerusalem and the house of Judah.

It is crucial to note that when God is displeased, both the house of Judah and the house of Israel—representing all twelve tribes—find themselves cursed among the nations. Yet when He determines to send a blessing, it is not upon all twelve tribes, including Jerusalem and Samaria, Oolah and Oolibah, but rather upon the remnant of Israel in captivity; His blessings are poured out specifically for Jerusalem and the house of Judah. He concludes with the exhortation: Do not fear, or, Have steadfast faith, affirming what has been expressed earlier.

Regarding the Church and every believer, this passage may be interpreted to signify that Christians, during periods of persecution, have endured curses and mockery from surrounding nations due to their grief of the Lord. Yet, in due time, they will emerge as a blessing when peace prevails. The Lord, who was previously angry with Jerusalem, will subsequently extend His mercy to it. This applies especially to those who hold steadfast faith in the Lord.

Individual believers who are excluded from the Church and given over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh (1 Cor. 5:5), in order that they might learn not to blaspheme (1 Tim. 1:20), will, upon their repentance, return to their original state, witness God’s peace, and receive glory for their faith.

As for the phrases expressing a lack of mercy or repentance, heretics misconstrue them, suggesting that God appears either cruel or inconsistent—depicting Him as changeable if He repents and cruel if He does not. It is noted that God repented for anointing Saul as king (1 Sam. 15:1-2), and with regard to the Ninevites, He declared through the prophet that their city would face destruction (Jon. 3:4) and upon their repentance, spared them, which reflects not a lack of knowledge but the variability of human hearts.

In Genesis, God states that the outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah has reached Him, and He will investigate to determine whether their evil deeds warrant punishment (Genesis 18:20-21). This underscores that if they persist in their wickedness, they will face divine consequences, but should they abandon their sins, they would merit His attention, for God knows His own (2 Tim. 2:19), and to the Galatians, the Apostle mentions those who do not know God (Gal. 4:8).

While God possesses perfect knowledge and nothing escapes His sight, He states in the Gospel that He does not know the wicked: Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity; I never knew you (Luke 13:27). Thus, discussions of God's knowledge, repentance, anger, indignation, and all inner movements must be approached not through the limitations of human language, but in a manner fitting to Divine majesty.