After the Exile is over, several of the people from Bethel go to the prophet and ask this question. Do we still need to fast? They are asking because the people are back home, and the Temple is being rebuilt. So, must they continue to lament? And the prophet asks this question. Why did you fast? Why is it that you did what you did? For God, or for some other reason? Why do we fast? Why do we do what we do? Is it to get something from God? To “make” Him do what we want? Brian Zahnd, in his wonderful book The Wood Between the Worlds, reminds us that thinking like that is paganism. We don’t “do things” to make God do what we want. We are faithful so we can experience God.

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Good morning! It’s wonderful to be back with you. Even though it’s been a busy time, I’m glad to resume our study together. Today, we continue with Zechariah, moving into chapter 7. This chapter marks a shift from the visions we previously explored to prophetic words and instructions from God.

The people of Bethel send representatives to inquire whether they should continue the practice of fasting and mourning that they had observed during the seventy years of exile. They want to know if these practices should continue now that they are back in their land and the temple is being rebuilt.

God responds to their question by asking a probing question of His own: “When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and the seventh months for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?” This question challenges the people to examine their motives behind their religious practices.

God’s question to the people of Bethel reveals a crucial point about religious observance: the importance of motives. The people had fasted and mourned, but God asks if they did so with a heart truly seeking Him or merely as a ritualistic duty. This calls us to reflect on why we engage in our own spiritual practices. Are we doing them to genuinely seek a closer relationship with God, or are we merely checking off a religious to-do list?

The danger of turning our acts of faith into empty rituals is a theme that resonates with many of us. If our fasting, praying, tithing, or other acts of devotion become mere attempts to earn God’s favor or manipulate outcomes, we miss the true purpose of these practices. They are meant to draw us closer to God, to deepen our relationship with Him, and to transform us more into His likeness.

True worship and devotion are not about getting something from God, but about knowing Him better. Our acts of faithfulness—whether fasting, praying, or serving—are avenues for encountering God and growing in our love and understanding of Him. They are not magical incantations to make God act on our behalf but expressions of our desire to know and be known by our Creator.

Take time to reflect on why you engage in your spiritual practices. Ask yourself if you are doing them out of a genuine desire to know God or if they have become mere routines.

Focus on using your spiritual practices as opportunities to genuinely encounter God. Let them be times of seeking His presence and growing in your relationship with Him.

Be mindful of the tendency to turn religious observances into empty rituals. Ensure that your practices are heartfelt and aimed at deepening your faith and understanding.

Remember that true worship is about loving God and others. It’s not about earning favor but about living in a way that reflects God’s love and grace.

Zechariah 7:1-7 challenges us to examine the sincerity of our devotion and to ensure that our religious practices are truly aimed at knowing and honoring God. As we continue our journey through Zechariah, let’s commit to seeking a deeper, more authentic relationship with God through our acts of faithfulness.

Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to continuing our study with Zechariah 7:8 next time. Have a blessed day!