United generations

Zechariah 8:4-5: “Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of age. And the squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in the squares.”

Zechariah prophesied in Jerusalem after the people of Judah had returned from exile in Babylon. His prophecy was an encouragement to the people of the restoration to continue their work on the temple, confident that Yahweh would bless them. “I will return to Zion,” the Lord says, “and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth and the mountain of Yahweh of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.” Yahweh promised to restore Israel to life, full life and prosperity in the land.

One of the loveliest of Zechariah’s descriptions of the peaceful state of the restoration is this vision of children playing in the streets. Prior to the exile, children were under constant threat – not only from Gentile attackers, but from starving Israelites who would in desperation cannibalize their own children. Following the exile, Zechariah promised, this would all change. Children would be safe to play in the streets of the city. If you’re looking for a picture of postmilliennial glory, here it is: All of our witness, all of our battles, all of our sacrifice and suffering are justified in this, that we might create space for children to play without fear in the city squares.

Zechariah’s vision not only pictures children in the streets. It also includes old men and old women sitting alongside the playing children. Zechariah’s hope for a restored Jerusalem envisions a union of generations, from the oldest to the youngest, the most vulnerable, sitting quietly in the city streets. In this, Zechariah’s vision reverses the trajectory of Israel’s history, which was full of stories of breaches between generations, of faithful fathers plagued by faithless sons. Someday, Zechariah said, the Lord will unite generations in peaceful leisure in the city streets.