RR Adonai-Tzva’ot and End-Time Favor By David Harwood
Shabbat shalom,
My intent is to help reveal some of the emotional content of eschatological favor prophesied towards the end of Zechariah. It is the third reference to chen/charis in Zechariah.
From the beginning of Zechariah, the prophet emphasized God’s jealousy over, and compassion for, Zion.
Zion, the place where His temple was being restored.
Zion, the future focal point of the earth’s worship in the age-to-come.
Zion, trampled down, but being lifted up.
Then the angel speaking to me said, ‘Cry out saying, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “I am exceedingly zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion and I am infuriated with the haughty nations. I was a little angry with them, but they furthered their own calamity.”
“Therefore,” thus says Adonai, “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion. My House will be built there,” declares Adonai-Tzva’ot “and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.”
Again cry out, saying, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity and Adonai will again comfort Zion and will again choose Jerusalem.’ ” (Zechariah 1:14–17)
Who is speaking? Adonai-Tzva’ot, the Lord of Hosts.
Then the word of Adonai-Tzva’ot came saying: “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “I am exceedingly zealous for Zion, I am burning with jealousy for her.”
Thus says Adonai, “I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth and the mountain of Adonai-Tzva’ot will be called the Holy Mountain.” (Zechariah 8:1–3)
In Zechariah God is referred to as Adonai-Tzva’ot, Lord of Hosts, 53 times. We appreciate that “Lord of Hosts” means Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Yet, the intensity of the title escapes us when we forget that Adonai is the primary warrior and He is motivated by jealous love.
Adonai is a warrior—Adonai is His Name! (Exodus 15:3)
It’s true. He’s a warrior, and this Warrior has an army of likeminded angelic warriors.
King David, the man after God’s heart, is patterned after Adonai-Tzva’ot. He was “a mighty man of valor, a warrior”. (1 Samuel 16:18b). He was also a leader.
David became the most feared warlord of the Middle East. Nobody compared to him in skill, strength, and strategy. Because of the anointing of Adonai-Tzva’ot’s Spirit, warriors were drawn to him. The Lord was manifestly with him, and those who joined themselves to David partook of the favor that rested on their leader.
He led those who were called “mighty men.” When David held court, the chiefs of these warriors were often present. When this warlord went out to fight, these hosts accompanied him.
Our God is the chief warrior. He is Heaven’s WarLord. No angelic warrior compares to Him. Like David, God has His armies’ complete loyalty. As did David’s mighty men, these angel armies mirror the attitude, skill, bravery, and passion of their King.
That is the God who is jealous over Zion. This is the one who pours out on Israel a spirit of grace/favor (ruach chen/pneuma charis).
The end of Zechariah reveals the fulfillment of Heaven’s WarLord‘s zeal for His people. He shall give a revelation of His Son because of His jealous love for His people. He loves them and wants them to know it. He favors them and shall reveal the Son whom we have pierced.
“Then I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace (chen/charis) and supplication, when they will look toward Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only son and grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10)
This is a spirit of favor and pleading for more favor. It is both the culmination and commencing of God’s restorative work with His people.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat28-Jun-20252nd of Tamuz, 5785 Parashat Korach
Nu 18:21-321 Sa 11:14-12:221 Th 5:12-22
My intent is to help reveal some of the emotional content of eschatological favor prophesied towards the end of Zechariah. It is the third reference to chen/charis in Zechariah.
From the beginning of Zechariah, the prophet emphasized God’s jealousy over, and compassion for, Zion.
Zion, the place where His temple was being restored.
Zion, the future focal point of the earth’s worship in the age-to-come.
Zion, trampled down, but being lifted up.
Then the angel speaking to me said, ‘Cry out saying, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “I am exceedingly zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion and I am infuriated with the haughty nations. I was a little angry with them, but they furthered their own calamity.”
“Therefore,” thus says Adonai, “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion. My House will be built there,” declares Adonai-Tzva’ot “and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.”
Again cry out, saying, thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “My cities will again overflow with prosperity and Adonai will again comfort Zion and will again choose Jerusalem.’ ” (Zechariah 1:14–17)
Who is speaking? Adonai-Tzva’ot, the Lord of Hosts.
Then the word of Adonai-Tzva’ot came saying: “Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “I am exceedingly zealous for Zion, I am burning with jealousy for her.”
Thus says Adonai, “I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth and the mountain of Adonai-Tzva’ot will be called the Holy Mountain.” (Zechariah 8:1–3)
In Zechariah God is referred to as Adonai-Tzva’ot, Lord of Hosts, 53 times. We appreciate that “Lord of Hosts” means Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Yet, the intensity of the title escapes us when we forget that Adonai is the primary warrior and He is motivated by jealous love.
Adonai is a warrior—Adonai is His Name! (Exodus 15:3)
It’s true. He’s a warrior, and this Warrior has an army of likeminded angelic warriors.
King David, the man after God’s heart, is patterned after Adonai-Tzva’ot. He was “a mighty man of valor, a warrior”. (1 Samuel 16:18b). He was also a leader.
David became the most feared warlord of the Middle East. Nobody compared to him in skill, strength, and strategy. Because of the anointing of Adonai-Tzva’ot’s Spirit, warriors were drawn to him. The Lord was manifestly with him, and those who joined themselves to David partook of the favor that rested on their leader.
He led those who were called “mighty men.” When David held court, the chiefs of these warriors were often present. When this warlord went out to fight, these hosts accompanied him.
Our God is the chief warrior. He is Heaven’s WarLord. No angelic warrior compares to Him. Like David, God has His armies’ complete loyalty. As did David’s mighty men, these angel armies mirror the attitude, skill, bravery, and passion of their King.
That is the God who is jealous over Zion. This is the one who pours out on Israel a spirit of grace/favor (ruach chen/pneuma charis).
The end of Zechariah reveals the fulfillment of Heaven’s WarLord‘s zeal for His people. He shall give a revelation of His Son because of His jealous love for His people. He loves them and wants them to know it. He favors them and shall reveal the Son whom we have pierced.
“Then I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace (chen/charis) and supplication, when they will look toward Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only son and grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10)
This is a spirit of favor and pleading for more favor. It is both the culmination and commencing of God’s restorative work with His people.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat28-Jun-20252nd of Tamuz, 5785 Parashat Korach
Nu 18:21-321 Sa 11:14-12:221 Th 5:12-22
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