And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.
God's jealousy here is not reproof for the Church's unfaithfulness, but His burning concern for her protection. The verb means affection and care, not suspicion; He burned with wrath against all enemies of His people while regarding His Church with singular love. His resolve was to defend the godly against the whole world if necessary.
AI summary
Commenting on Zechariah 8:1-23
Those who obey the call to rebuild the temple, who lay their hands to the work of God, may expect His encouragement and comfort. Only the employed for God receive His strengthening; those who avoid their fathers' disobedience not only break the curse but have it turned to blessing.
AI summary
Commenting on Zechariah 8:9-17
For thus saith the Lord of hosts,.... In order to assure them of the truth of what he promised, he observes the fulfilment of what he had threatened, he being as true and faithful in the one as in the other: As I thought to punish you: determined to do it, by suffering them to be carried captive: when your fathers provoked me to wrath...