Let Your Hands Be Strong

Zechariah 8:9-23
Key Verse 13: “And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

Look at verses 9-13

1. V9. What does the LORD command the people? What does it mean to “Let your hands be strong”? What work were the people doing at this time? What work are we doing?

2. V9-12. How does the LORD encourage the people, what does he remind them of? What were the former days like? (9-10, Haggai 1:5-6) How will the LORD deal with the people now? (11-12)

3. V13.The LORD says the people have been a byword and a cursing, but he will save them and they will be a blessing. What does this change mean to you? What could it mean to be a cursing to others? What could it mean to be a blessing to others?

4. How can the promises of God help our hands to be strong in the work we do? Why is it important to know and accept his promises?

5. V14-15. What does the LORD promise to do? How does this change emphasize the importance of the temple work the people are doing? What could this look like for us in our times?

6. V16-17. What does the LORD tell the people that they shall do? How is this related to the temple work the people are doing with their hands? How can this be applicable to us?

7. How is God’s promise in V14-15 related to the command to the people in V16-17?
   Why is it important for the people to not do what the LORD hates? (Zechariah 1:1-6)

8. V18-19. What was the attitude of the people during these fasts? (Zech 7:3) How is the LORD saying things will change?

9. V20-23. What promise does the LORD share with Zechariah? Where are the peoples from all nations going? Why are they going there? How are they getting there? How is this different from today? How does this promise relate to the message to strengthen our hands and continue the temple building work?

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