We see the Lord explain why He judged the people today. We see Him tell the people how to live. But His instructions may surprise us, and we may find them harder than we expect. He calls us to kindness today. To mercy today. Those are hard for this age; we show kindness and mercy to “our side,” not to others. He calls us to take care of the weak and needy. To avoid hate in our hearts. To be different. To be holy. This is hard; it’s not about what we do; it’s about who we are. It’s what it looks like to live out the Golden Rule.

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Good morning! It’s great to continue our study in Zechariah. Today we’ll look at Zechariah 7:8-14, which builds on the themes we discussed yesterday about the true purpose behind religious practices.

In these verses, God, through Zechariah, outlines the ethical and moral expectations He has for His people.  Be fair and just in your dealings with one another.  Extend compassion and understanding to everyone, not just those within your immediate circle or those who agree with you.  Specifically, God highlights the widow, the orphan, the alien, and the poor—those who are most at risk and without protection.

God’s message through Zechariah emphasizes that faithfulness is not just about outward actions but also about the attitude of the heart.  God cares about our inner thoughts and intentions, not just our visible actions. Devising evil in one’s heart against another is a serious matter because it reflects a deep-seated corruption and lack of true love for one’s neighbor.

The people’s refusal to listen and their stubbornness led to severe consequences. Despite repeated warnings and instructions, the people turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears.  They made their hearts to resist the law and the words of the prophets.   Because of their refusal to listen, God declared that when they called, He would not hear them. Their disobedience led to their scattering and the desolation of their land.

These verses remind us that true religion is not just about rituals and ceremonies but about living ethically and justly.  We are called to be fair in our judgments and actions. This means not taking advantage of others or being biased.  Our faith should lead us to show compassion and mercy to all people, especially the vulnerable. This can be challenging, especially when it involves people we might find difficult to love or understand.  It’s essential to maintain integrity not just in our actions but also in our thoughts. Avoiding malice and evil thoughts towards others is crucial for a pure heart.

God expects us to listen and respond to His call.  We should be open to God’s instructions and willing to change our ways. This means regularly examining our hearts and actions to ensure they align with God’s standards.  A stubborn heart can lead to spiritual deafness. We should strive to remain humble and teachable, always ready to hear and obey God’s word.

Zechariah 7:8-14 challenges us to reflect deeply on our motives and actions. True faith is demonstrated through just and compassionate living, not merely through ritualistic observance. As we go about our day, let’s commit to living out these principles, ensuring that our actions and hearts reflect the love and justice of God.

Thank you for joining me today. Tomorrow we will continue with Zechariah 8. Have a blessed day!