This chapter contains great promises of restoration and blessing for the remnant of God’s people who have returned to Jerusalem. The once desolate city will be again filled with people who have been blessed to enjoy old age (v4) and children playing joyfully (v5) These will be marvellous days and many more will return (v6-8).

This promise is to encourage the people to be strong during their rebuilding of the temple (v9-11). There will be prosperity, protection and peace and this truth should further encourage the people to be strong (v12-13).

The people on their part need to be faithful to the Lord and to each other (v14-17). Their days of fasting and worship will now be times of great joy and blessing (v18-19). The people will encourage each other and other nations to come and seek the Lord and His blessing (v20-23).

This chapter should encourage us to seek such greater days of blessing among God’s people. We must believe richer days of blessing can come.