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Justice And Mercy, Not fasting (Zech. 7:1-14)
- A group of leaders from Bethel came to inquire about the need for continuing
the fast days. The Law of Moses required only one fast - in connection with
the Day of Atonement.
- God asks them some probing questions about the reason of their fast (v.4-7).
- God said they observed fasting for themselves rather than for God (v.5).
- God instead calls them to treat others righteously (v.8-14).
- Fasting and praying continually can never replace love and justice in our
lives.
- God is more concerned about their hearts and attitude than their rituals or
religion.
- Our hearts become hard as flint(v.12) by just focussing on externals and
neglecting loving God and others.
Which one do we tend to focus more on, the externals or the heart? Which do you think is easier for you to do, to
fast or to treat others righteously?
Blessings Promised (Zech. 8:1-23)
- Ten encouraging statements are given regarding the future. Each one
beginning with the declaraion. “This is what the Lord Almighty says”.
- It talks about both the immediate blessings and Messianic age blessing.
- We see that even these promised blessings are conditional (v.16-17). God
expected them to be righteous.
- We see God was more excited about the joyful and glad occasions than the
fasting (v.18-19). God wants to see us enjoying and rejoicing.
- In v.23, we see the power of a righteous life.
We are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for
anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. We are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be
hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to
everyone in the house. In the same way, let our light shine before men, that they may see our good deeds and praise
our Father in heaven.
Application :
In which areas of your life can people see Christ?
Philippians 2:14-16
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God
without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the
word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
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