The suffering of the Jews

“Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem” (Zechariah 1:17).

There is much room for interpretation, but in brief, the Jews have suffered at the hand of the Gentiles for over two millennia—that cannot be denied. So, it is not just coincidental or a passing thought, but God’s clear intention that because of the suffering of the Jews, “Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem” (v. 16).

In the introductory Scripture, we notice the little word “yet” four times. Quite logically, that stands in opposition to the four Gentile world empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. We must add that when Rome is mentioned, it not only refers to the city in Italy (Europe) but also literally the entire world. Europeans sailed around the world and subjected the nations of the world to their authority. Take, for instance, the Americas: 35 sovereign nations were established by Europeans. Looking to the east, we also notice that many geopolitical identities find their origin in European colonization. To the south in Africa, we find that about 54 countries were established by European colonial powers. 

Zechariah then sees “four horns.” After asking their identity, he receives the answer: “These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem” (v. 19b). Now, in opposition to the four Gentile superpowers, we read in verse 20: “And the Lord showed me four carpenters.” The Hebrew word charash, pronounced khaw-rawsh, is translated “smith” or “craftsman,” not carpenter. 

These four unnamed blacksmiths are heavenly, divine entities, and their task is to destroy the nations: “Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it” (v. 21).

Zechariah, as virtually all prophets, proclaims the merciless judgment of God upon His nation, but always concludes with comfort and hope for Israel. 

That, incidentally, applies to each of us who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who poured out His life in His blood on Calvary’s Cross, paying once and for all for our trespasses. Have you received Him?

At this point in time, Israel is still at war. Moreover, it is being threatened, not only by Hamas in the south, but also by Hezbollah in the north. Not to mention from the east—Iran—and from the south—the Houthis.

Just recently, the Turkish president warned Israel not to invade Lebanon to avoid Turkey sending troops to defend it. 

Now come the strange and unusual aspect: Based on WorldPopulationReview.com’s listing of the world’s happiest nations for 2024, while the northern European countries are always on top, Israel comes in fifth place. The world is nervous, but in Israel a calmness prevails.

We as believers will continue to pray for Israel, particularly for the Church there as well as in countries that are enemies of Israel. Let us remember what Paul wrote in Romans 9:4: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.”

Midnight Call - 10/2024