Zechariah 8:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Almighty God, who oversees all humanity, frequently assures those who cherish Him of blessings that surpass comprehension and never utters falsehoods. Through His divine power and unfathomable strength, He accomplishes His purposes in due time and without obstacles. Thus, we should steadfastly maintain our faith and continually testify to the fact that He is capable of achieving all things effortlessly. We are called to boldly pursue actions that will elevate us and reward us with a glorious crown of righteousness, to adhere to His teachings, and to strive to follow the examples set by those who were once the most faithful proclaimers of His divine truths.

Thus declares the Lord of Hosts: Be encouraged, you who receive these words from the prophets in this time, on the day when the temple of the Lord of Hosts was established. The Septuagint translates this as the Lord Almighty; the rest of the message remains intact. After the temple was reconstructed under the guidance of Zerubbabel and Jesus—this being stated in the fourth year of King Darius, on the fourth day of the ninth month, known as Kasleb, when the temple was completed—the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who motivated both the people and their leaders to rebuild, now encourage them to recognize the fulfillment of previous promises and embrace with unwavering faith the assurances given for the future.

Take solace in my promise and establish the house of the Lord with complete faith, so that within it, you may carry out the sacred duties and receive the blessings of divine grace.

In these remarks, the Lord encourages the Jewish people to wholeheartedly engage in their endeavors for their well-being, without being daunted by the obstacles and setbacks they will soon face upon their return to their homeland amidst the schemes and hostility of their enemies. Those who have heard these prophetic messages will find no place for such fear. The promises referred to encompass the assurances given by the Lord regarding the prosperity of the Jews, as declared by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, and highlighted in the preceding verses 2-6. These divine assurances were announced during the time of the temple’s foundation and establishment, covering the entire period when the temple, initiated during Cyrus's reign, resumed construction on a solid foundation until its eventual completion.