Why do the nations take hold of a Jew's skirt and want to go with him?
The nations take hold of a Jew’s skirt because they have heard that God is with him. Hungry for knowledge of the Lord, they want to go with him to seek and pray before the Lord in Jerusalem, since Israel is the vehicle through whom God reaches the Gentiles.
In Zechariah 8, the Lord says many people and strong nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem. Ten men out of all languages of the nations will take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew and say, “We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” Les explains that this shows Israel’s role as the vehicle: God would reach the Gentiles through Israel, and the Gentiles would be hungry for a knowledge of the Lord. But Israel rejected that role, saying thanks but no thanks.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
More Questions
When will ten men take hold of the skirt of a Jew according to Zechariah 8?
Zechariah 8:23 refers to a time when Israel would be evangelizing pagan Gentiles.