Talking about a day of mourning and fasting to remember the fall of Jerusalem, but they are asking because really they want to get out of it - has become a religious event rather than out of relationship. However God has been saying previously that he wants to restore it - they are living in the past and not seeing what God has been telling them. God's interested in having a relationship but they haven't worked it out yet.
God reminds them of whats its all about- true justice, mercy, compassion, love not oppression, non judgmental against others. They're still not interested and choose to ignore like their ancestors have in the past.
God is upset that they are turning away from Him and hardening their hearts. He therefore sends them away to different nations
what we can take away
reminders of the need to:
- live in relationship with God rather than religion
- we need to show compassion, mercy, justice, non judgmentalism etc where-ever we are / do
- be open to what God wants to say rather than hardening our hearts - accountability, community, good relationships, short accounts all helps
- hear the word of God - test and if needbe action
1 comment:
What happens:
- God speaks to Zech about the rule of not eating. The people are questioning it and trying to get out of it, but God tells them that He is the same as He was 70 years ago. The problem is that the people have stopped treating it for the meaning it should have.
- God reminds them that they need to act justly and mericfully in their times of prosperity, not grow complacent and lazy. This is why he scattered them to different nations.
Stuff for us:
- Why do we perform religious ceremonies? We need to make sure that we are doing them for the significance that they first held. Eg Communion, Baptism, Confession.
- We also need to act properly in times of prosperity and not get comfortable and lazy. We need to use our security to help others feel secure, our money to help others feel wealthy, our mercy to help others feel loved.
Post a Comment