8 Then this message (word) came to
Zechariah from the LORD (Yahweh, Jehovah): 9 “This is what the LORD
of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly and show mercy and kindness to one
another. 10 Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and
the poor. And do not scheme against each other. 11 Your
ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and
put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. 12 They made
their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the
messages that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by His Spirit through
the earlier prophets. That is why the LORD of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with
them.” Zechariah 7:8-12, New Living
Translation 2nd Edition
In Zechariah chapters 7 and 8, the
prophet now encourages God’s people to act with mercy, compassion,
and fairness towards others based on what they have learned from the first
six chapters of his prophecy. Similarly, many epistles (letters) of the New Testament
close with the apostle’s encouragement for good deeds and actions, also known
as the hortatory section (e.g., see Galatians 5:16-6:10; Ephesians 4:1-5:21;
Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Timothy 4:4-8; Titus 3:1-11; Hebrews 13:1-25). Hortatory
means “to encourage the reader to do something or act in a certain way.”
Zechariah chapters 7 and 8 are the prophecy’s hortatory section.
Zechariah chapters 7 and 8 open once
again with the prophet receiving a divine message or word from the true and
living LORD God of all the earth – Yahweh (also known as Jehovah) (Zechariah 7:1;
Zechariah 8:1; see also Ezra 5:1). Throughout his prophecy, Zechariah received
divine messages from the true and living LORD God about Israel, Judah, Jerusalem,
and most importantly about the Messiah (Christ) (e.g., see Zechariah 1:1; Zechariah
2:3-5, 10-12; Zechariah 4:6-8; Zechariah 5:1; Zechariah 6:9-15; Zechariah 9:9).
On December 7 in the fourth year of King
Darius’s reign,
the word of the LORD came to Zechariah (see Zechariah 7:1). Literally, Zechariah received another message from the LORD
on the fourth day of the ninth month, in the fourth year of King Darius’ reign
or December 7, 518 BC. Zechariah’s message in chapter 7 came nearly two years
after Zechariah’s previous eight-night visions from the LORD (see Zechariah
1:1, 7). Throughout Zechariah’s prophecy, the prophet had a series of night visions,
and the living LORD God sent His messenger or interpreting angel to Zechariah
to explain the meaning of these divine night visions (e.g., see Zechariah 1:7-9,
13-14, 19, 21; Zechariah 2:2-3; Zechariah 3:1; Zechariah 5:5, 10; Zechariah
6:4-6).
In
the fourth year of Darius’s reign, the people of Bethel sent a delegation to
Jerusalem to worship, seek the LORD’s favor (grace), and to ask the religious
leaders about their national fasts and mourning (see Zechariah 7:2-3). Sarezer
and Regem-Melech headed the delegation from Bethel (see Zechariah 7:2). Essentially,
the delegation from Bethel came to Jerusalem to seek the living LORD God’s
blessings and seek His favor (grace) (Zechariah 7:2; Zechariah 8:21-22; see
also 1 Samuel 13:12; 1 Kings 13:6; Jeremiah 26:19; Malachi 1:9).
While
in Jerusalem, the delegation from Bethel asked the religious leaders this
question: “Should we plan for a day of mourning and abstinence next August, the
seventieth anniversary of Jerusalem’s fall, as we have been doing all these
years?” (see Zechariah 7:3, The Message). The Jewish people had fasted and
mourned the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple (the First Temple) by
the Babylonian army for 70 years during their Exile from the living LORD God’s
promised land (Zechariah 1:12; Zechariah 8:19; see also 2 Kings 25:9-10, 25;
Jeremiah 52:4, 12-14). For the previous 70 years, these fasts mourned and
remembered the burning of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem and the siege and
destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar
and the Babylonian army (see 2 Kings 25:1, 23-25; 2 Chronicles 36:17-19; Jeremiah
39:1-2; Jeremiah 52:12-13; Daniel 9:2). The question the delegation from Bethel
was: Since Jerusalem and the Temple (Second Temple) was being rebuilt was it
now necessary to keep their fasts the fourth month, the fifth, the seventh and
the fast of the tenth (see Zechariah 7:3, 5; Zechariah 8:19). The Holy Scriptures are silent
and does not require these fasts on the fourth month, the fifth, the
seventh and the fast of the tenth month. These fasts were man-made by the
religious leaders to remember the destructions of Jerusalem and the Temple.
By
way of background, the living LORD God allowed His people Israel and Judah to
go into foreign Exile away from His Promised Land because of their repeated
unfaithfulness and rebellion against Him and His covenant, which is the Ten
Commandments (e.g., see Exodus 34:1, 28; Deuteronomy 4:13 and Deuteronomy 10:4;
Jeremiah 14:11-12). Before the Exile, the leadership and the people of Israel
and Judah became rebellious and unfaithful to the living LORD God
and His covenant (Zechariah 1:4; see also e.g., 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Kings
21:10-16; Psalm 78:8; Jeremiah 2:5). Israel and Judah followed all the evil
pagan practices of the surrounding nations, relied on foreign powers and not
the LORD, worshipped idols such as Baal, and sinfulness became deeply ingrained
in their hearts and minds (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:10-12; 1 Chronicles 5:25; 2
Chronicles 36:14; Isaiah 7:1-9; Hosea 10:1-8).
The
living LORD God Almighty repeatedly sent His servants (prophets) to warn Israel
and Judah to REPENT of their wicked sins, TURN from their evil
ways, and OBEY Him and His covenant because He loved His people (Zechariah
1:4-6; Zechariah 7:7, 12; see also e.g., Exodus 20:1-23:9; 2 Kings
17:13; 2 Chronicles 24:19; 2 Chronicles 36:15; Isaiah 1:15-20, 23-24; Isaiah
45:22; Jeremiah 7:13, 24-25; Jeremiah 11:7-8; Jeremiah 25:4-6; Jeremiah
35:15-16; Ezekiel 33:10-11). Through His prophets, the living LORD God
commanded Israel and Judah to do right and good by seeking mercy
and justice for orphans
(fatherless), the poor, foreigners (refugees), and the widows (e.g., see Exodus
22:21-23; Leviticus 25:17; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Isaiah 56:1; Jeremiah 5:1, 28;
Jeremiah 22:3-5; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:6-8). Even more, the
living LORD God commanded the people to turn from adultery, sexual sins,
idolatry, murder, greed, falsehood, dishonesty, thief, and bribes (e.g., see Isaiah
1:21-23; Galatians 5:17-21). Despite the holy prophet’s repeated messages
to REPENT and TURN from their evildoing and evil ways, Israel and
Judah despised and refused to listen to the living LORD God’s prophets and ignored
His requirements for righteousness (Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 7:11-12; see also e.g.,
2 Kings 17:13-15; 2 Chronicles 7:14; 2 Chronicles 36:16). Instead of listening
to the living LORD God’s holy prophets, the people turned to idolatry
and lying priests and prophets that polluted God’s land and led
the people away from the living LORD God and His covenant (e.g., see
Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; 2 Chronicles 36:14; Jeremiah 14:14-15;
Jeremiah 23:13, 16-17, 30-31; Lamentations 4:13).
So,
the living LORD God became angry at Israel and Judah and decided to punish His
wicked people (Zechariah 1:2, 12, 15; see also e.g., see 2 Chronicles 36:16;
Isaiah 1:24-24). First, the living and sovereign LORD God Almighty raised up
the Assyrians against the ten northern tribes of Israel (see 2 Kings 17:1-6). In
722 BC, the Assyrian army destroyed the ten northern tribes of Israel and scattered
Israel from the living LORD God’s land (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:18-20; 2 Kings
18:11-12; Daniel 9:6, 10).
After
Judah and Jerusalem saw what happened to Israel’s ten northern tribes, the
people temporarily repented and turned to the living LORD God Almighty under
the good kingships of King Hezekiah and his son Josiah (e.g., see 2 Kings
18:3-8; 2 Kings 22:1-2). Hezekiah and Josiah cleared Judah and Jerusalem of
mediums, spiritists, household gods, idols, and other forbidden worship objects
in Judah and turned the people’s hearts to worshipping and serving the true and
living LORD God Almighty (e.g., see 2 Kings 23:21-25). However, after King
Hezekiah and King Josiah’s deaths, the people of Judah and Jerusalem turned
back to their wickedness, rebellion, and evildoing against the living LORD God
Almighty and His covenant. Judah and Jerusalem worshipped other gods, practiced
sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists (e.g., see 2 Kings
21:1-9).
Because
of such evil and wickedness, the living and sovereign LORD God Almighty raised
up the Babylonians against Judah and Jerusalem to punish His wicked and
rebellious people (e.g., 2 Kings 21:10-16; 2 Kings 23:26-28; 2 Kings 25:1-25; 2
Chronicles 36:17). The living LORD God permitted the Babylonians to invade
Jerusalem and Judah beginning in 605 BC and again in 597 BC (e.g., see 2 Kings
24:1-2, 10-12; Ezekiel 1:1-2; Daniel 1:1-2). Finally, in 586 BC, the living
LORD God allowed the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem, break down the walls of
the city, and set fire to Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple (see 2 Kings 25:1-21; 2
Chronicles 36:17-21). Then, the living LORD God scattered His people as
with a whirlwind among the far-off foreign nations and away from His Promised
Land (Zechariah 7:14; see also Zechariah 1:18-20; Zechariah 2:6). The Jewish people
now became refugees (aliens) and became the vulnerable class they had
previously oppressed. The land of Israel, Jerusalem, and Judah became a bare and isolated wasteland, and
no one traveled through the land (Zechariah 7:14; see also Ezekiel 12:19-20;
Zephaniah 3:6). The
living LORD God is patient, merciful, loving, and gracious, but He will NOT
continually allow our sinful behavior to continue (e.g., see Exodus 34:5-7;
Nahum 1:2-3).
For
seventy years, God’s people had no Temple and the Promised Land was resting
(Zechariah 1:12; see also e.g., 2 Chronicles 36:21; Jeremiah 25:8-14; Jeremiah
44:2-6; Daniel 9:2). In the book of Zechariah, the prophet reminded the people
they experienced the living LORD God’s wrath during the Exile because of their
disobedience to the living LORD God and His covenant (Zechariah 1:5-6; see also
Leviticus 26:32-33; Deuteronomy 4:27; Deuteronomy 28:64-67). However, the
prophet Jeremiah previously predicted the restoration of Israel and Judah after
the seventy-year Exile (e.g., see Jeremiah 29:10-14). During the seventy
years of Exile, God’s people realized their rebellion, repented,
and confessed their sins and evil against the living LORD God and His
covenant (Zechariah 1:6; see also e.g., Lamentations 2:17; Daniel 9:4-24). The
living LORD God heard His people’s genuine and wholehearted prayers of
repentance and forgave their sins (e.g., see 2 Chronicles 7:14;
Psalm 32:5-7; Psalm 51:1-4; Proverbs 28:13). Psalm 126 records the joy and
laughter of God’s restored people after the Exile.
Because
of His love for His people, the living and sovereign LORD God
raised up the Persia kings Cyrus and later Darius (Hystaspes) to restore His
people Israel and Judah to His land, Palestine and rebuild the Temple (e.g.,
see 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1, 13; Ezra 1:1-4, Ezra
6:3-5). The Old Testament book of Ezra tells of God’s people under the
leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua returning to Palestine to rebuild Jerusalem
and His Temple in approximately 538 BC through King Cyrus pronouncement (Zechariah
4:8-9; see also Ezra 2:68-3:13). However, the returning Jews stopped the
rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple because of discouragement, enemy
opposition, and even government opposition (e.g., see Ezra 4:1-5, 23-24). Then
in approximately 520 BC during Darius of Persia’s reign, the living and sovereign
LORD God raised up His servants, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage God’s
people to finish the work of rebuilding Jerusalem and God’s Temple (see Ezra
5:1-2; Ezra 6:14; Haggai 1:2, 7-8, 15; Zechariah 1:1, 7; Zechariah 7:1; Zechariah 8:9-11).
While
in foreign Exile, the Jewish people had fasted and mourned on certain days in
memory of the Jerusalem siege and overthrow by the Babylonians. Now, the
delegation from Bethel questioned the Jerusalem religious leaders if they
should continue their fasts mourning the destructions of Jerusalem and the
Temple (e.g., see Zechariah 7:2-3).
The living LORD God spoke through His
servant Zechariah with a message to the people of Bethel to discover their true
motives for their fasting, mourning, and other religious rituals (Zechariah
7:4; see also Isaiah 1:11-12). The living LORD God asked the people and priests
whether their fasts and mourning every fifth and seventh month for the last 70
years were truly about
leaving their sins behind and WHOLEHEARTEDLY coming
back to Him (Zechariah 7:3, 5; see also Isaiah 58:1-7).
Essentially, the living LORD God asked the Jewish delegation if their ceremonies
and rituals were about Him and the good of others or only about their selfish
and hypocritical food, fellowship, and fun (Zechariah
7:6; see also 1 Corinthians 10:24, 31-33). Our fasting and mercy towards
others go hand and hand (e.g., see Isaiah 58:6-7)!
Then, the living LORD God announced to
Zechariah that long ago, when Jerusalem was prosperous, thriving, and her
southern areas of Negev and Shephelah along the plain were filled with people, His
previous holy prophets warned the people that their half-hearted and
insecure worship to Him would surely lead to their ruin and destruction, which
occurred in 722 BC by the Assyrians and 586 BC by the Babylonians (Zechariah 7:7,
12; see also Jeremiah 7:13, 24-25). The living LORD God informed Zechariah the same
message given by His previous holy prophets for all people:
Make fair decisions. Show
faithful love and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the
fatherless, the foreigner or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts
against one another. Zechariah 7:8-10, HCSB.
Amazingly, the living LORD God’s message
of mercy, fairness, goodness, truth, and forgiveness towards one another and
caring for the widows, orphans, foreigners, weak, and the poor were given by
Moses, the Old Testament prophets, the New Testament apostles, and most
importantly by the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior (e.g., see Exodus 22:21-22;
Leviticus 19:33; Psalm 82:3-4; Proverbs 22:22-23; Isaiah 1:11-17, 23; Hosea
6:6; Hosea 10:12; Micah 6:6-8; Zechariah 5:4; Zechariah 8:16-17, 19; Matthew
5:3-10, 16-17, 44; Matthew 22:39; Matthew 23:23; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians
3:12-15; James 1:27; 1 John 3:16-18). The message the living LORD God gave to
Zechariah is His same message from generation to generation! The living
LORD God informed Zechariah then and say now:
Treat one another justly. Love
your neighbors. Be compassionate with each other. Do not take advantage of
widows, orphans, visitors, and the poor. Do not plot and scheme against one
another — that is evil. Zechariah
7:9-10 (MSG)
The Holy Scriptures repeatedly
highlights the importance of showing mercy and caring for others in need, mainly
those who are poor, weak, sick, the refugees (aliens), the fatherless, and the
widows (Zechariah 7:10; see also e.g., Deuteronomy 15:7-11). Such openhanded
and openhearted life leads to the living LORD God’s mercy and grace towards us
when we are in need (e.g., see Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 5:7; Luke 12:33). The
living LORD God expects those who are blessed with material prosperity to share
and care for the economically vulnerable (e.g., see Deuteronomy 16:9-12;
Deuteronomy 24:19-22; Deuteronomy 26:8-12).
Thus, the living LORD God through His
prophet Zechariah declared to the delegation from Bethel that their acts of
justice and mercy were more important than their fasting and other
religious ceremonies (see Zechariah 7:9-10; Zechariah 8:16-17, 19). In other
words, the living LORD God wanted from His people genuine fairness, mercy, and
compassion towards others – that is a loving relationship with people! Our
fasts, ceremonies, and rituals do not constitute true worship if they come from
selfish and false motives!
Worship rituals and fasts must focus wholeheartedly
on the LORD God, repentance and confession of sins, and the needs of others. True
worship to the living LORD God requires justice, mercy, and compassion toward
others. The way we treat others shows how obedient we are to the LORD God
(e.g., see Matthew 22:34-40; John 13:34-35; John 15:10, 17; 1 Thessalonians
4:9-10; 1 John 2:5). Like the other Old Testament prophets before him,
Zechariah emphasized that fasting, rituals, and religious ceremonies are
WORTHLESS without our obedience to the living LORD God and DOING
mercy and kindness towards others (Zechariah 7:8-10; see also Jeremiah
7:5-7, 23; Jeremiah 21:12)! Similarly, the living LORD God announced through
Jeremiah:
Do
what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has
been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow,
and do not shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah
22:3, New International Version
Notably, the Old Testament prophet
Isaiah warned God’s people that their half-hearted fasting and continued
wickedness WILL NOT lead to God’s favor (grace), answered
prayers, and healing because such behavior dishonors the living LORD
God (Isaiah 58:1-14; see also Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 66:1-4). In Isaiah chapter
58, the prophet noted that the people’s fasted only to please themselves and
not to honor Him and to care for hurting people (see Isaiah 58:3). The living
LORD God noted that the people’s fasting and religious rituals ended with their
continued mistreatment of others, quarreling and strife, and striking each
other with wicked fists (see Isaiah 58:4).
Through His prophet Isaiah, the living
LORD God warned His people that He does not want only a single day for
people to honor and humble themselves before Him (see Isaiah 58:5). The living
LORD God announced that the kind of fasting and repentance He has chosen:
Free the people you have put in
prison unfairly and undo their chains. Free those to whom you are unfair and
stop their hard labor. Share your food with the hungry and bring poor, homeless
people into your own homes. When you see someone who has no clothes, give him
yours, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.
Isaiah 58:6-7 (NCV)
The living LORD God promised that when
we care, show mercy, and kindness towards others that our light will shine like
the dawn, our wounds will quickly heal, and our needs will be met by Him
(Isaiah 58:8, 11-12; see also Matthew 5:14). Most importantly, the living LORD
God promises to walk before us, answer our prayers, and His glory will protect us
(see Isaiah 58:8-9). However, the living LORD God declared that His continued
grace (favor) would not come into our lives unless we STOP making
trouble for others, using cruel and malicious words, and pointing your finger
at others (Isaiah 58:9; see also John 8:11). Instead, the living LORD God
declared to EVERYONE to feed those who are hungry, break the chains of
injustice, care for your relatives, and help those who are poor and troubled,
then our light will shine in the darkness, and we will be bright like sunshine
at noon and you will be blessed from heaven (Isaiah 58:6-10; see also Matthew
5:14-16; Ephesians 2:10). Even more, as we seek the living LORD God’s ways of
goodness and loving others, He promised to guide our lives, satisfy our needs,
and bless us with His power, restoration, and strength (see Isaiah 58:11-14).
Amazingly, the Lord Jesus Christ had the same message of the prophet Isaiah:
love and honor the LORD God and love and care for one another (e.g., see
Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37; John 13:34-35;
John 15:17).
Truly, the living LORD God desires our
whole hearts devoted and faithful to Him and His good ways and not in
disobedience, corruption, and rebellion (e.g., see Isaiah 1:2-4). Continually,
the living LORD God has taught the people through His holy prophets and His Son
Jesus has confirmed His Father’s teachings that He is NOT impressed by our man-made
human religious rituals, ceremonies, and fasts when we continue to walk and
live in rebellion toward Him and hatefulness, anger and
mean-spiritedness towards others (e.g., see 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalm 40:6-8;
Psalm 51:16-19; Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6;
Amos 5:21-25; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; Mark 12:33).
Goodness, kindness, and forgiveness towards others are more acceptable to
the living LORD God than our fasts, religious ceremonies, and sacrifices
(e.g., see Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:16-20).
Here is the GOOD NEWS! The living LORD
God of heaven (Father) sent His Son Jesus as an example for ALL PEOPLE to
follow. We are to FOLLOW Jesus’ teaching and example
of showing love, mercy, goodness, compassion, and forgiveness
for ALL PEOPLE, whether countrymen, friend, enemy, or foreigner (e.g., see Matthew
5:43-48; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 23:23; Luke 10:25-37; John
13:34-35; John 15:17). While on earth, Jesus humbly did acts of compassion,
mercy, forgiveness, and goodness for ALL PEOPLE – rich, poor, young, old, man,
woman, Jew, or Gentile (foreigners or non-Jews) as the Light of the World for
His Father’s glory (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 9:1-7, 18-22, 24-25,
27-29, 32-33, 35-36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Acts 10:38). Importantly,
the New Testament apostles commanded the Church to
follow and imitate Jesus Christ’s example of holy living for the
LORD God’s glory and to obtain His grace (favor) (e.g., see John 13:14-17; 1
Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Philippians 2:5; 1 John 2:6; 1 Peter 2:21-22).
Sadly, the previous generation would
not listen to the living LORD God’s message through His holy prophets to
REPENT and TURN from their evildoing and evil ways (Zechariah 7:11; see also Zechariah
1:2-6). Instead, the previous generation turned stubbornly away and put their
fingers in their ears to keep from hearing the living LORD God’s truthful message
(Zechariah 7:11; see also Isaiah 6:10; Ezekiel 2:3-8). Moreover, the previous
generation hardened their hearts like flint, afraid to hear the true words revealed
to them by His Holy Spirit through the earlier holy prophets (Zechariah 7:12;
see also Jeremiah 5:3; Jeremiah 7:25-26; Jeremiah 11:10). The Holy Spirit
inspired the message of the LORD’s true prophets (e.g., see Nehemiah 9:30-31; 2
Peter 1:21). Because of the people’s continued disobedience and harden hearts,
the living LORD God became angry and brought His severe wrath to the previous
generation that went into Exile (Zechariah 7:11-12; see also 2 Chronicles
36:15-21; Daniel 9:11-14). The living LORD God repeatedly called the people to OBEY
Him and TURN from their wicked and evil ways, but they refused to listen to Him
(see Zechariah 7:13).
Thus, when the people prayed and cried
out to Him, the living LORD God turned away and would NOT listen to their
prayers nor accept their offerings (see Zechariah 7:13). The living LORD God
refused to listen to His people’s prayers and petitions because of their continual
rebellion, hardened hearts, and wickedness (Zechariah 7:13; see also
Proverbs 1:24-32; Isaiah 1:15; Jeremiah 11:10-11, 14; Jeremiah 14:12).
Zechariah pointed out that the key to obtaining
the living LORD God’s grace (favor) is REPENTANCE from evildoing, OBEDIENCE
to Him and His moral covenant (which is the Ten Commandments), and goodness
towards others (Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 7:8-10; Zechariah 8:16-17, 19; see
also Proverbs 1:33; Jeremiah 7:1-11). Legalistic rituals, ceremonies, and
fasting would NEVER serve as a substitute for loving the LORD God and loving
for one another in everyday living (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew
22:34-40; Luke 10:25-37).
Even more, the Holy Scriptures repeatedly
teaches that the living LORD God does not hear sinners who keep evil in
their hearts; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, the LORD God
hears our prayers and accepts our offerings (e.g., see Psalm 34:15-16; Psalm
66:18; Psalm 145:19; Proverbs 15:20; Proverbs 28:9; Isaiah 1:11-15; Isaiah
59:1-3; Isaiah 66:1-4; John 9:31; John 15:7; James 4:3; James 5:16-18). The
living LORD God withholds His grace and blessings from those who continue in
deliberate sin and rebellion against Him and His righteous ways and covenant
(e.g., see 2 Chronicles 24:20; Micah 3:4). However, the living LORD God
Almighty pours out His grace upon grace upon those who wholeheartedly seek
Him and do His goodness (e.g., see Jeremiah 29:10-1; 2
Chronicles 7:13-14; Matthew 6:33).
Here is more Good News! Jesus the
Messiah (Christ) is the true Vine that connects EVERYONE to the living LORD God
of heaven through faith in Him (e.g., see John 15:1, 5). As we continually
remain faithful and connected to Jesus the Messiah, we produce fruit of
righteousness – good fruit – that comes through Him for the glory and
praise of His Father, the living LORD God (e.g., see John 15:4-5, 16; Philippians
1:11; Colossians 1:6, 10). This good fruit includes love, mercy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (e.g., see John
15:4; Galatians 5:22-23). Even more, our FAITHFULNESS,
UNITY, and OBEDIENCE to Jesus gives us access to the living LORD God’s abundant
and unending grace (John 15:7; see also e.g., John 14:6; Romans 5:17, 21; Ephesians
2:6-7; Hebrews 4:14-16; 2 Peter 1:3). Furthermore, by our faithful
connection to His Son Jesus, the true and living LORD God gives us
everything we need by His Holy Spirit (divine power) to live godly and good
lives and escape corruption (e.g., see 2 Peter 1:3-4).
However,
our separation and unfaithfulness to Jesus the Messiah disconnects our
access to Jesus’ Father, the living LORD God of heaven and His grace (e.g.,
see John 15:5-6). As we produce good loving fruit
and remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and His teaching, our prayers
are answered for His Father’s glory and honor as we pray in Jesus’ Name (John
15:4, 7-8, 10, 12, 16-17; see also Matthew 5:16; Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13;
John 14:12-14; John 16:23-24). Sometimes, Jesus taught that our prayers may be
delayed not because of our sinfulness but this delay is for God’s glory (e.g.,
see John 9:1-3; John 11:4-7). Thus, we can ALWAYS relax and have joy because
our faithfulness and obedience to Jesus ALWAYS lead
to His Father’s grace (e.g., see John 16:33)!
Then in chapter 8, the holy prophet
Zechariah receives another message for the living LORD God of heaven, who is
all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-knowing (omniscient) (see Zechariah 8:1). The
living LORD God Almighty expressed His strong, jealous, and passionate love for
repentant Jerusalem, also called Zion (Zechariah
8:2; see also Zechariah 1:14). Therefore, the living LORD God proclaimed to
Zechariah that He was once again returning to His land Jerusalem, and He
Himself promised to live within Jerusalem with His mercy and restoration (Zechariah 8:3; see also Zechariah 1:16; Zechariah 2:10-11;
Zechariah 9:9). Then, repentant Jerusalem will be called the “City
of Truth” and the “Holy Mountain” and the “Mountain of the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah
8:3; see also Psalm 15:2; Isaiah 1:26-31).
Next, the living
LORD God promised that repentant Jerusalem will have peace and
prosperity (see Zechariah 8:4-8). Once again old men and women will walk
Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares
with joy and laughter (Zechariah 8:4; see also Psalm 128:6-8; Isaiah 65:20). Obedience
to the living LORD God brings long life; however, the years of the wicked are
cut short (e.g., see Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 19:23). Moreover,
the living LORD God promised Jerusalem’s streets will be filled with boys and
girls playing and laughing as normal everyday activities (Zechariah 8:5; see
also Jeremiah 30:19-20; Jeremiah 31:12-13).
To the Jewish refugees returning from
Exile, the promise of streets safe for senior citizens and playful children
seemed impossible! The remnant that returned after the Exile to rebuild
Jerusalem and the Temple struggled to survive and faced from hostile neighbors.
To many, Zechariah’s future promise of the LORD’s presence, prosperity, and
peace seemed impossible (see Zechariah 8:6). The prophet Zechariah assured this
small and struggling Jewish remnant that Jerusalem would once again become strong,
stable, and secure (see Zechariah 8:6). Nothing
is too hard for LORD because with the living and true LORD God all things are
possible (Zechariah 8:6; see also e.g., Genesis 18:14; Job 42:2;
Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27; Romans
4:21).
The living LORD God promised that He
will save, bless, and restore His repentant people scattered from
east and west and bring them home again to live safely in His Promised Land (Zechariah
8:7-8; see also Isaiah 11:11; Isaiah 43:5; Ezekiel 37:12, 21; Zechariah 10:6,
9-10). These faithful and repentant Jews will be His people, and He
will be their good and faithful God (Zechariah 8:8; see also Jeremiah 4:1-2;
Zechariah 13:9). For the promises from the living LORD God
will never fail (e.g., see Luke 1:37).
Some biblical scholars see the
fulfillment of Zechariah 8 in the future with the establishment of the Millennial
Kingdom (see Zechariah 8:1-8). However, some scholars argue the fulfillment of
Zechariah 8 occurred when the Jews returned from foreign Exile (e.g., see Psalm
126:1-3). Nevertheless, other Old Testament prophets speak of a future
restoration of Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem (e.g., see Jeremiah 30:1-3, 8-11,
17-22; Jeremiah 31:1-6; Isaiah 65:17-25). The Apostle John predicted the
kingdom
of the world will become the Kingdom of our LORD and of His Christ (Messiah)
(see Revelation 11:15; Revelation 21:1-5). In the future, the LORD will reign
as King over the whole earth (e.g., see Zechariah
14:9).
Here is the Good News: The Lord Jesus
Christ came and brought the Kingdom to earth on His first arrival, and
when He comes again at His second coming His Kingdom on earth will be complete
(e.g., see Matthew 4:17, 23; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43; Luke 8:1; Luke 13:28-29).
The parables and miracles of Jesus give insight into BOTH the present
and future nature of the Kingdom of God. The life and ministry of Jesus is the
proclamation that the Kingdom of God had come now in Him to bring His Father’s salvation
and reconciliation for ALL people, races, sexes, religions, creeds, and
nationalities through faith in Him (e.g., see Matthew 8:11; Matthew
21:31-32; Mark 16:16; Luke 13:28; John 1:12-13; John 3:3-8, 16-21, 36; Acts
16:31; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). The living LORD God sent His Son Jesus to bring together
and unite His faithful people scattered around the world (e.g., see John
10:16; John 11:51-52; John 17:20-21; Ephesians 2:11-19). Furthermore, Jesus
promised that the Kingdom of God will also appear as an apocalyptic act at the
end of the age (e.g., see Matthew 24:1-51; Mark 13:3-37; Luke 21:5-36).
Then, the living and true LORD God
encouraged His people once again through Zechariah as well as the prophet Haggai
to be strong and finish rebuilding His Temple (Zechariah 8:9, 13; see also Ezra
5:1-2; Haggai 1:8-9, 13-15; Haggai 2:4-5). Before the work began, the living
LORD God declared, there were no jobs, no wages, no joy, and no security in
Jerusalem for crime was rampant, because the people neglected rebuilding His
Temple (Zechariah 8:10; see also Haggai 1:2-10). However now, the living LORD
God declared that He was renewing peace and prosperity amongst His people
because of their repentance and faithfulness to Him and His Temple (Zechariah
8:11; see also Genesis 12:2-3; Haggai 2:19). The living LORD God promised His
blessings, life, prosperity, and happiness for His people and their land as they
focused on Him and His Temple FIRST (Zechariah 8:12-14; see also Amos
5:4, 6; Haggai 2:5; Matthew 6:33).
As mentioned earlier, the previous
generation angered the living LORD God because of their repeated sins,
disobedience, and rebellion against Him and His covenant (Zechariah 8:14; e.g.,
see Nehemiah 9:34-35). Thus, the living LORD God decided to judge His
people according to their evil conduct and bring His wrath and scattering
against that previous generation (Zechariah 7:14; Zechariah 8:14; see also Jeremiah
35:15-17; Ezekiel 24:13-14; Ezekiel 36:16-19). However, the returning Jewish
exiles confessed and repented of their sins and wrongdoing;
therefore, the living LORD God Almighty promised this repented generation His
goodness, grace, and forgiveness (Zechariah 8:15; see also Jeremiah 31:28;
Jeremiah 32:40-42; Ezekiel 18:30-32; Micah 7:18-20; 1 John 1:9). The Holy
Scriptures are clear: if you do wrong, you will be paid back for all your
wrongdoing because the living LORD God has NO FAVORITES (e.g., see Colossians
3:25). For the living and true LORD God rewards and judges each one for
whatever good and wrong they do (e.g., see Ecclesiastes 12:14; Ezekiel 18:30-32;
Ezekiel 33:17-20; Matthew 12:36-37; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Galatians 6:7-10; Ephesians
6:8; Revelation 20:12).
Next, the living LORD God commanded the
people:
This
is what you must do: Tell the truth to
each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead
to peace. Do not scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling
lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the LORD….
So, love truth and peace.”
Zechariah 8:16-17, 19, New Living Translation 2nd Edition
Once again, the prophet Zechariah gave
the SAME MESSAGE the living LORD God gave to His other Old Testament prophets and
New Testament apostles. The living LORD God commanded His people to be honest,
peaceful, and good by telling the TRUTH, the whole truth, when we speak and
never tell lies and falsehoods (Zechariah 8:16-17; see also Exodus 20:16; Leviticus
19:11-12; Psalm 15:2; Proverbs 12:17-22; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9).
Moreover, the living LORD God commanded His people
to do the right thing towards one another by being honest, fair
(not-prejudice), and peaceful, particularly in the court system (Zechariah 8:16, 19; see also Amos 5:14-15; Zechariah 7:9). Even more, the living LORD God demanded
His people not to plot and scheme to hurt or slander others and never take
unfair advantage of others (Zechariah 8:17; see also Leviticus 19:13-18; Psalm
15:3, 5; Proverbs 3:28-30; Proverbs 6:16-19; Micah 2:1; Zechariah 7:9-10; Romans
12:9-21). The living LORD God declares that He punishes and hates such evildoing
and wickedness (Zechariah 8:17; see also Zechariah 5:4).
However, the living LORD God promised that those who seek and walk in
truth and goodness and does not harm nor take unfair advantage of others will
enter His Kingdom and enjoy His abundant blessings (e.g., see Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm
24:3-6; Jeremiah 7:3-11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians
3:5-6; Hebrews 12:14; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 21:6-8; Revelation 22:14-15).
Then, the living LORD God gave another
message to His servant Zechariah (see Zechariah 8:18). The living LORD God
promised one day He will turn their mourning and fasting into joyous
celebrations, festivals, and feasts (Zechariah 8:19; see also Psalm 30:11). While
in Exile, the Jewish people had fasted and mourned on the fourth, fifth,
seventh and tenth months in memory of the siege and overthrow of Jerusalem by
the Babylonians (e.g. see 2 Kings 25:7, 25; Jeremiah 39:2; Jeremiah 52:4, 12).
Now, the delegation from Bethel returned to Jerusalem and wanted to know from
the religious leaders should they keep fasting and mourning (see Zechariah 7:2-5).
Zechariah’s answer came to the Bethel delegation in Zechariah 8:19: fasting
should now be replaced with feasting!
The living LORD God knew that one day people
from all around the world (Gentiles) will come on pilgrimages and pour into
Jerusalem from many foreign strong cities to worship Him and seek His grace
(favor) and mercy (Zechariah 2:10-11; Zechariah 8:20-22; Zechariah 14:16; see
also Psalm 86:9; Psalm 117:1; Isaiah 2:2-3; Isaiah 44:5). In those days, the
living LORD God declared that ten men from ten different nations will come and
take hold of one Jew by his coat and say, “’Let us go with you, because we have
heard that God is with you” (see Zechariah 8:23, New Century Version).
In conclusion, the message of the
prophet Zechariah is the SAME message of our Lord and Savior
Jesus the Messiah (Christ), who is also the Son of the living God (e.g., see
Matthew 16:16; Mark 1:1; John 20:30-31). Jesus taught EVERYONE on at His
initial sermon, His Sermon the Mount, His Sermon the on Plains, and throughout
His public ministry to REPENT from sin and evildoing
and seek truth, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and goodness (e.g., see Zechariah
1:3-6; Zechariah 7:8-10; Zechariah 8:16-19; Matthew 5:3-16; Matthew 12:7;
Matthew 22:37; Matthew 23:23; Luke 5:32; Luke 6:20-13; Luke 15:7, 10; John 8:11).
Like the Old Testament prophets, our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught EVERYONE to seek the Kingdom of God FIRST
and His righteousness by living blameless, faithful, and good lives (Matthew
6:33; Luke 6:46-49; Luke 8:19-21; Luke 11:27-28; see also e.g., Genesis 6:9;
Genesis 17:1; Job 1:1; Deuteronomy 18:13; Psalm 15:1-5; 2 Peter 3:11, 14). As
we seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness FIRST, the living LORD God
promises to provide all our needs and desires here on earth by His unending
grace (e.g., see Matthew 6:25-33; Matthew 28:16-20). Even more, the message of
Zechariah and the other Old Testament prophets are the SAME message of Jesus
Christ and His New Testament apostles – LOVE THE LIVING LORD GOD, OBEY HIS
COMMANDS, AND DO GOOD AND NO HARM TO OTHERS (e.g., see Leviticus
19:1-18; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:34-40; Matthew
25:31-46; Luke 8:15, 19-21; Romans 13:8-10; Romans 15:1-3; 1 Corinthians
13:4-5; Philippians 1:9-11; Philippians 2:4,
21)!
Very similar to the previous Old
Testament prophets, Zechariah was concerned about goodness, honesty,
and social justice, particularly for the poor, widows, elderly,
oppressed, orphans, and foreigners (e.g., Exodus 22:21-23; Leviticus 19:32-37;
Proverbs 22:22-23; Isaiah 1:17, 23; Jeremiah 5:27-28; Jeremiah 21:12; Amos
5:24; James 1:27). Zechariah encouraged the people to obey the LORD’s covenant,
especially in matters of justice, mercy, compassion, forgiveness,
goodness (righteousness), fairness, and truthfulness (Zechariah
8:15-17; see also Leviticus 25:17; Deuteronomy 22:1; Isaiah 56:1; Hosea 6:6;
Micah 6:6-8: Zephaniah 2:3). In the past, Israel and Judah failed to obey these
moral covenant instructions sent by His Spirit to the holy prophets, and the
living LORD God punished and scattered His evil and rebellious people
(Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 2:6; Zechariah 7:11-14; see also Deuteronomy 28:33;
Jeremiah 22:3-5, 17; Ezekiel 5:9-12).
References
ESV
Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Bibles, 2008).
NLT
Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub.,
2008).
Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).
The
Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).
Zondervan NIV Study Bible
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).
