Passage
Zechariah 7:1-14 (ESV)
Solomon Furnished the Temple
2 Chronicles 4:1-5:1
Key Verse: 4:5:1
What Does the Lord Desire?
Date: Dec. 13, 2014
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 7:9
First, was is it really for me? (1-10). The people of Bethel asked the priests and prophets whether they should continue to mourn and fast. God answered through Zechariah. Though the people practiced mourning and fasting, had they really done it for the LORD? Was not their feasting for themselves? God did not desire more meaningless, self-centered, pious rituals. He commanded the people to administer true justice and show mercy and compassion for one another. They must stop oppressing the helpless and plotting evil.
Second, consequences for ignoring God's word (11-14). God had often told his people that he did not desire religious acts for their own sake. God wanted his people to love their neighbor as themselves (Lev 19:18). But the people resisted God's word, hardened their hearts and rebelled. As a result, when they called on God, God would not listen. Rather God scattered them among the nations.
Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for ignoring your word. Help me to administer justice and show mercy.
One Word: Justice, mercy and compassion
