Zechariah 7:1-14
"justice and mercy, not fasting"
Verses 1-3 set the scene. men were sent from Bethel to speak with God about ritual mourning established during the exile.
God answers asking the men the reason for their fasting. were they really fasting for God during the exile? when they ate and drank were they merely satisfying their appetites? this attitude was preached against previously in the bible against the pre-exilic jews.
The lord then speaks through zech, giving 4 key points by which you can test yourself of whether you are living faithfully to God's law:
- administer true justice
- show mercy and compassion
- Do not oppress the widow, orphan, foreigner or poor
- do not think evil of each other
The generations living in israel and judah before the exiles did not keep to these basic points. they refused to listen to and steeled their hearts towards God. As a result, God became angry and sent them into exile.
The heart of the matter is: it doesn't matter what you say or do, it's a matter of the heart, the reasoning behind why you say or do what you do or say. obedience to God, is a more beautiful offering than any sacrifice we could offer (particularly empty ones). God wants more than our deeds or thoughts. He wants our hearts. He wants to have a deep and meaningful relationship with us, but we need to set ourselves straight first.
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