CHAPTER 7

1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu; 2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, 3 And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? 4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, 5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? 6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? 7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?

A delegation of men had come with a question (verse 2) concerning the "fast" the people had been observing every fifth month (verse 3). Perhaps it would aid our understanding of God's answer, if we knew what this "fast" was all about. This fast, on the 10th day of the 5th month, commemorated the burning of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This fast was NOT instituted by God (verse 5). God had not been considered in the institution of this fast. It was simply to satisfy the grief of their own carnal hearts (verse 6).

The people had been very diligent about doing something God had NOT commanded. However, they had been very LAX in doing those things God HAD commanded (verse 7). Isaiah 58:1-8 had outlined God's feelings toward this type of action. God desires worship of Him in truth and service to Him in obedience. They had not obeyed the law and the prophets, thus they had not worshipped God in truth.

It is true: we cannot be perfect in obedience. It is impossible even for saved sinners. We ARE sinners. However, our GOAL should be to worship God in truth by STRIVING to be obedient to His Word.

Therefore, let us concentrate our efforts on service in obedience to what God HAS taught us, and not try to institute more practices which only tend to lead us astray.

8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, 9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: 10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. 11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. 12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. 13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: 14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

We should LEARN from the past! This is God's message to Zechariah for the people who came asking. They should REMEMBER how God had "cried" to them through His prophets (verse 12) and they would not listen. They should REMEMBER how they had cried to God out of lusts and carnal desires and God would not listen!

BECAUSE of their not listening to God, the burning of Jerusalem happened! (see verse 14)

So then, learn this lesson and begin to concentrate upon God's spiritual values expressed in His Word: "Execute TRUE judgment, and show mercy and compassions" (verse 9); "Oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart." (Verse 10)

Once, a lawyer came to Jesus with the same type of question (see Luke 10:25-29). He wanted to know, "What can I DO to inherit eternal life?" However, Jesus treated his question fairly, and asked a question of him? "What do you SEE in the Word of God? How do you READ it?" (Luke 10:26 paraphrased)

The man summed up the answer by quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." (Luke 10:27)

Jesus answered, "Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." (Luke 10:28)

But then, the REAL question surfaced. The lawyer wanted to know "WHO is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29 paraphrased)

You see, all the while, the lawyer only wanted to know WHOM should he treat with respect and genuine love. Could he discriminate and determine that in himself?

I think you all know Jesus' answer (Luke 10:30-36). If you don't, take time to read it now!

Jesus told the story of the "Good Samaritan." In the eyes of the Jews of that day, there was no such thing as a "good" Samaritan! They considered them all evil and children of the devil. However their discrimination was based upon their own rationalization and not upon the Word of God!

You see, we are ALL quilty of NOT doing what God SAYS to do! God says, "Love your neighbor as yourself!" We can dream up tons of reasons why we should NOT do as God says. But God says we ARE to do as He says!

How about you my dear Chrstian friend? Are you genuinely worshipping God in "spirit and in truth" by serving Him in obedience?

LEARN FROM THE PAST!!!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.