Message: Sowing Hope / Zechariah 8:9-12

 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Let your hands be strong—you that have recently been hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets who were present when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the LORD of hosts. For before those days there were no wages for people or for animals, nor was there any safety from the foe for those who went out or came in, and I set them all against one other. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the LORD of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

 

Today, we gathered to celebrate Rural Life Sunday which is a time to give thanks for the roots of our lives. We rejoice with those who live and work in farming, fishing, and mining communities, and we acknowledge the ongoing struggles many rural areas face across Canada and around the world.

In economic terms, rural areas are the source of the most essential things for human life. These are the places where people grow grain and fruit, produce milk, catch fish, and gather fibres and minerals. Rural communities are the foundation of life for all people. On the other hand, cities are where these raw resources are processed, distributed, and consumed. In urban centres, technology and knowledge are highly valued. Cities often concentrate money and power to drive progress in fields such as medicine, science, and entertainment.

What is best for humanity is finding a balance between rural and urban life. People who live in rural areas should be respected for their hard work and should have fair access to education and social services. People in cities should be able to live without worrying about the cost of housing or food, so they can focus on using their talents for a better world.

Unfortunately, history has shown how this ideal can be broken. Farmers, fishers, and miners have often been ignored or exploited by those in power. Over time, various systems have been created to increase profit by taking advantage of rural communities.

One example comes from France just before the French Revolution in the 18th century. Inside the Palace of Versailles, kings, queens, and nobles held lavish parties in grand halls filled with gold decorations and glittering chandeliers. Meanwhile, life in the countryside was harsh. Farmers paid heavy taxes to both landlords and the royal family. When harvests failed, they sometimes mixed sawdust or chaff into their bread to survive. At the same time, the nobles paid no taxes. Even worse, they made greater profits when grain prices rose because they controlled the grain trade.

This deep unfairness and injustice eventually drove people to cry out, “Give us bread!” A system that had long oppressed its workers began to crumble. The luxurious walls of Versailles could no longer contain the growing unrest, and French society was forced into a dramatic transformation. It was only after many people shed their blood that the streets of the revolution fell silent. This reveals an important truth. When those who provide the essentials of life are treated unjustly, even the most magnificent cities and palaces cannot endure. The true strength of any society lies in its commitment to justice for those who carry out its most essential work.

Scripture also invites us to reflect on the relationship between rural life and the city. French philosopher and sociologist Jacques Ellul wrote a book in 1970 called The Meaning of the City. In this book, he explores the concept of the city through a biblical lens. He points out that the first city mentioned in the Bible was built by Cain. After killing his brother out of jealousy, Cain was sent away from his home by God. Separated from God’s presence, he built a city in the land east of Eden - a place of refuge, built not from peace, but from fear.

Ellul also reflects on the story of the Tower of Babel, which represents Babylon, one of the most powerful cities in history. The people there became obsessed with building a tower that would reach heaven. They were not interested in living well or caring for creation. Their only goal was to rise higher and higher. In the end, they lost their common language and were scattered across the earth.

In these stories, Ellul talks about the danger of becoming disconnected. In cities, people often protect themselves by competing instead of helping each other. They try to be better than others by using more technology and knowledge. When people think this way, they stop caring about God, their neighbours, and the earth. These things become tools for personal success. It becomes easy to forget who grows our food or where clean water comes from. People begin to feel like machines, always busy and trying to earn more. The quiet and important work of farmers, fishers, and miners is hidden behind bright screens and full grocery shelves. When this happens, we no longer see the true cost of life. That cost is paid by tired workers, dirty rivers, and damaged land. The earth groans. The people groan too.

But Ellul does not stop there. He shows that the Bible ends with a very different picture. In the book of Revelation, God gives us a vision of a new city, the New Jerusalem. In this city, a clear river flows through the centre, and trees grow along both sides. Their leaves bring healing to all the nations. For Ellul, this becomes possible through the reconciliation of relationships.

For this reason, Rural Life Sunday is not just for people who live on farms or near forests and seas. It is for everyone, including those who live in busy cities. This day invites all of us to remember our deep connection to the land, one another, and God. It calls us to live with greater fairness, compassion, and hope for both rural and urban people alike.

Today’s first scripture reading also reminds us of that hope. The prophet Zechariah spoke to people who had just returned from exile in Babylon. For many years, they had been mistreated and pushed aside in the most powerful city of their time. Babylon had used them like parts in the building of its endless tower. Now they stood among the broken walls of their home. The fields were overgrown, and their homes lay in ruins. They were finally free, but fear remained. Even in freedom, the future felt unclear.

In this moment of uncertainty, Zechariah shared God’s message with the people: a new world would begin to grow wherever they sowed hope. Their past had been filled with hardship and injustice. They had been treated like tools, and their hard work had been ignored. But that time would not last forever. Zechariah proclaimed: “For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.”

True blessing is not found in taking advantage of others without effort or honest work. It is not about living in comfort while others struggle. Wealth built on injustice, unfair labour, or the suffering of others is not a true blessing.

Zechariah’s vision is simple. It is a way of life where wages are fair, where the land is given time to rest, where water stays clean, and where people are valued for who they are. The true blessing begins when we pay a fair price for a bag of potatoes, when we thank the truck driver who brought them, and when a city decides to protect a nearby field, river, or hill. When we share the fair rewards of our work with those going through hard times, the blessing takes shape through our hands.

This vision still matters today. Many of us know what it’s like to work hard and still not have enough. We have seen family farms bought by large companies. We have seen friends move away because they cannot afford to stay. And we have noticed that the weather is changing. Rain falls harder. Wildfires become more severe. When the land is mistreated and people are overlooked, things get worse. Inequality spreads like weeds. Loneliness increases in both the countryside and the city. And even God mourns alongside those who suffer.

We can begin to sow hope for the vision by embracing thankfulness. This week, as we gather around our kitchen tables, let us take a moment to pray. Pray for the farmers, fishers, miners, and all who work to support our daily lives. When you pour a glass of water, think of the river or well it came from. When you see the wood in this church, remember the forest it once belonged to. True gratitude helps us see that life is a gift, not just something to be used or bought.

Let us also reject the lie that faster and bigger is always better. Earn honestly. Spend wisely. Share generously. And trust that even the smallest choices can make a difference in the world.

May each of us here commit to sowing hope in our daily lives, nurturing the promise of peace and justice that Zechariah spoke of. May our words and actions reflect the deep connection we share with the land and with each other so that together we build a future where everyone is valued, where the earth is healed, and where hope flourishes for generations to come.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Rev. Min Hwang

South Stormont Pastoral Charge