In keeping with the theme "The Attributes of God" I am choosing the word zealous.
So.....Z is for ZEALOUS.
First, let's define the word zealous: someone who is filled with exuberance, intense passion, and energy; dedication towards a goal, cause, or belief; a fervant, uncompromising commitment.
In the book of Isaiah, there is a prophecy:
What it means: The dominant army at that time was the Assyrian Army. They had threatened to invade Jerusalem (from Isaiah 36). This Scripture is a promise to King Hezekiah : that the army would retreat instead of advance. They would be defeated! So far, nothing in that time period, would have had that happen. They were the dominant, strongest army. They wanted to wipe out Jerusalem.
Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, was the strongest and most powerful king in the world at that time. He had demanded that Hezekiah surrender. The enemy was mocking God so to speak by saying He could not defeat the Assyrian army.
(this is taken from the Bible Ref commentary).
But Hezekiah prayed humbly before God and so God made a gracious promise.
The Israelites had been worshipping idols/false gods. They had failed to trust God and were becoming self-reliant. But after Hezekiah's prayer, God chose to save a remnant of Judah (Israel had split into two groups...one following the Lord God, the other to follow false gods). He (God) would eventually rebuild Israel into a great nation.
The phrase "the zeal of the Lord of hosts" (God) implies that God is more than just powerful. He is enthusiastic in keeping His Promises. He follows through with His plans. When Jesus was born, and it's recorded in the Gospels, it had been predicted way back during Isaiah's time! (Isaiah 9: 6-7)
The lesson for us: God is not a distant, unhearing God. He hears our cries.
His promises are true. He is fully engaged to carry out HIS will for the people of this earth.
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