“Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy” (Zechariah 8:2). The root meaning of the Hebrew word קָנָא (qanah) is to be red-faced with strong emotion: sometimes it is translated jealous or jealousy (Deuteronomy 4:24), sometimes zealous or zeal (Isaiah 9:7), but perhaps the best overall term might be ‘passionate’ – it describes someone who is feeling very intense feelings, perhaps of longing, or commitment, or anger.

That tells us here that God’s attitude toward Zion is not indifferent or laissez-faire: it is vibrant and passionate. If they go chasing after other gods, that feeling will come out painfully, as jealousy; if they abide in the fulness of God’s love, that feeling will come out blessedly, as deep sustaining love: “I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city” (8:3).

The passionate love of God for the people of Zion will be manifested as we see the aged sitting in peace in Jerusalem (8:4), and as we see children playing on every streetcorner (8:5). That must have seemed impossible for the Exiles, still living in Babylon, since they knew that Jerusalem was nothing but ruins. Yet even if it looks impossible for you, says the Lord, it’s not impossible for me (8:6).

So it will come to pass that people from all over will say to one another, “Come, let us go to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going” (8:21). And indeed, people from every nation will tag along, ten strangers gathering about one individual, saying “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you (8:23). The passionate love of God moves in our souls, prompts us to want to respond in fervent prayer and joyful fasting (8:19), and invites all the world to come on along and experience the grace of our Lord.

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In your passionate love, O God, you have claimed us for your own and set your promise upon our lives. Teach us to be eager to run to you, longing for your presence, ready to offer our fervent prayers; and let your presence among us draw others who have never known you to come along as well, that they too may know your abiding grace.