“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:”
My Notes
What Does Zechariah 8:20 Mean?
God prophesies through Zechariah about a future where many peoples and strong nations come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD of hosts. The movement is global — nations streaming toward God's presence.
"It shall yet come to pass" — the word yet implies anticipation. It has not happened yet, but it will. The certainty is divine. The timing is future. The fulfillment is guaranteed.
"There shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities" — the gathering is widespread and urban. Not a few pilgrims from rural areas. Cities full of people, moving toward Jerusalem. The scale is massive.
The passage continues (v.23) with a striking image: ten men from all languages shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew, saying we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. The nations grab hold of a Jewish person and say: take us with you. God is with you and we want what you have.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does it look like when nations voluntarily seek God rather than being evangelized?
- 2.How does 'ten men grabbing the skirt of a Jew' describe the attractiveness of God's presence?
- 3.What would it mean for you to live so visibly connected to God that people seek you out?
- 4.How does this prophecy shape your understanding of the future of the gospel?
Devotional
It shall yet come to pass. Not has come. Not is coming now. Yet. The vision is future. But the certainty is present. God has spoken it. It will happen.
There shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities. People from everywhere. Cities full of seekers. Nations on the move — not fleeing danger but seeking God. The gathering is motivated by hunger, not fear.
Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD. The urgency is the seeker's, not God's. The nations want to come. They want to pray. They want to be in God's presence. The movement toward God is voluntary, eager, and fast.
Ten men shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. The nations recognize that God's presence is somewhere specific. And they grab hold of the people who carry it. Take us with you. We heard. God is with you.
That is the future of faith: not the church pursuing the world, but the world pursuing the presence of God — grabbing hold of those who carry it and saying: we want what you have.
Are you living in a way that makes people grab your sleeve and say: God is with you?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Yea, many people, and strong nations,.... Or, "mighty kingdoms", as the Targum renders it; even such have embraced the…
It shall yet be that - The promises are those which God had already made by Isaiah (Isa 2:2 ff) and Micah (Mic 4:1 ff).…
There shall come people - Similar promises to those in Isa 2:3 and in Mic 4:1, Mic 4:2. Many Gentiles, as well as Jews,…
These verses contain two precious promises, for the further encouragement of those pious Jews that were hearty in…
The joyful change shall extend, in its influence, to the heathen nations of the world. Comp. Isa 2:2-3; Mic 4:1-2.
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture