Zechariah 7-8 Justice & Mercy
The people have a question for the Lord and God gives Zechariah the answer. Love justice and mercy is just part of it.
It has been two years since Zechariah’s night of visions. We are not told if he had any visions or words from the Lord in between these two times. I’m thinking that he probably didn’t, as they are not included. Maybe he was given some for individuals, but not for the whole congregation.
This prophecy is a direct response to the people’s enquiry of the Lord. It takes a bit, but God gets there. The people want to know if they should continue to fast at certain times, as they had been doing while in exile. God addresses the reason behind the fast. Let’s rejoin Zechariah as he receives the answer to the people’s question.
Holy Spirit, please guide this journey today. Show me what You would have me learn and take for my own life. Lead on Spirit, and I will follow.
♥ ♦ ♥
The people have been working on the new Temple for over two years now. They didn’t have to start from scratch, as the foundation was already laid before they were forced to stop building. But work continues daily, except on the Sabbath. And every topic imaginable comes up between the workers.
Today, the topic of fasting floats up in the conversation in the men from Bethel. Their work involved cutting and plaining trees to be transported to the construction site. It’s hard work but they have a rhythm that allows them to talk while they work.
“My wife is with child” one of the men announces.
Congratulations rises up all around him. He is quick to respond with thanks for the well wishes, but there is a question weighing on his mind.
“I have a question for you all, and would like your input.”
“Certainly, brother. We will do what we can to answer.”
“I realize it is still quite a while away, but I’m wondering about the fast in the fifth month.”
“What about it” asks another.
“Should we still keep it? I mean, we are free now. Are we supposed to continue to observe the fast?” Seeing the looks on his brother’s faces, he hurries and adds; “I’m only asking because, what if my child’s ceremony falls at the same time? Do I postpone the ceremony? Do we celebrate anyway? I’m just looking for direction.”
“This is a very good question. Maybe we need to ask this of the Levites.”
“An excellent suggestion” agrees another.
That evening, the elders of the community come together to address the question. One of them had been among the group discussing it earlier.
“We need to seek guidance from the Lord. One of our brothers brought up the fast in the fifth month.”
“What about it?”
“Well, he is wondering, if, since we are free, should we still keep it.”
“Why wouldn’t we?”
“Because it was for seeking the Lord’s favor while we were in captivity and asking Him to move on our behalf. He HAS moved on our behalf, so do we continue to keep the fast?”
“I don’t know. What say you all?”
“I say we don’t make that decision, but ask the Lord to make if for us.”
Heads nod all around.
“Being that the question was raised from the family of Sharezer and Regem-melech, I suggest that they go and present it to the Lord.”
Again, heads nod.
Morning comes and the men are back at work. The elder who was present during the discussion the previous day makes certain that he is assigned to the same work crew.
Before they even lay axe to the first tree, the elder addresses the group.
“Yesterday, a question regarding the fast in the fifth month was raised. The elders met together last evening to discuss this issue. We believe that this is a question that needs to be brought before the Lord.”
“You didn’t come up with an answer among yourselves?”
“No. We did not feel it was our place to make such a decision. As the fast was established to seek the favor of the Lord, HE should be the one to tell us whether we should continue to honor it. And since the family of Sharezer and Regem-melech raised the question, we feel it only right that they bring the request before the priests.”
“That seems right and good” says Sharezer. “I will assemble a group of men to carry our question to the Lord. We will leave at first light tomorrow.”
The decision being reached, the men begin their work for the day. Discussion today focuses on who should go, what preparations need to be made, and exactly how to present the question to the priests. It is decided that the man who posed the question should definitely be among those who bring it to the Lord.
Bright an early in the morning, five men set out for Jerusalem. It should take them half the day to reach their destination. Talk is heavy as they consider what the Lord will answer.
“Do you think He might be angry that we are asking?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t think so. Why?”
“I’m wondering if He is going to think that we are trying to dishonor Him by not observing the fasts.”
“As you so rightly pointed out, the reason for the fast was to seek His favor while in exile so He would bring us home. And we are home now.”
“I know. But I still worry about offending Him.”
“You are right to be worried, my brother” interjects another.
“And why is that” asks the first.
“Because HE is God and who are we to protest His ways.”
“But HE never called us or our fathers to this fast. It was our attempt to ask for His forgiveness and favor, after ALL the sins that our fathers did to land us in captivity.”
“What makes you think we are any better than our fathers? Are not our sins as great as theirs?”
Shock reverberates around the group.
“I PRAY NOT” shouts the first man. “Our fathers worshiped idols and even burned their children in the fire to appease strange gods. They abandoned His statutes and actively rejected Him. I have NEVER bowed my knee to ANY other god. And I will follow His statutes, wherever they lead. Isn’t that the whole reason we are asking for His decision?”
“Agreed, but we are not without sin!”
“No. We are not. No man is. And that is exactly why He gave us His Law and the sacrifices. So that we could seek Him and learn to walk in His ways. And COME TO HIM when we do sin; to seek His forgiveness and a chance to begin again.”
That ended that topic of discussion. None could rouse an argument against it.
The men arrive at the construction site of the Temple at shift change. The Levites are offering water to those who are leaving, to refresh themselves, and assigning tasks to those who are replacing them. They wait for them to finish before approaching.
While waiting they choose Regem-melech to present the inquiry. It is the third day of the nineth month in the fourth year of King Darius’ rule. The men mark this day in their hearts as a reminder of when they sought the Lord.
The Levites are finished assigning tasks. The men approach with Regem-melech in the lead. All bow as they stand before the Levites. Joshua, the high priest is among the Levites today.
“What may we do for you, brothers?”
“I, and my brothers, have come to inquire of the Lord” Regem-melech says while indicating all those with him through a sweep of his arm.
“Inquire then.”
“Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?” (Zechariah 7:3).
The Levites don’t need to ask any further questions regarding the practice, as they too have been observing it for YEARS. It was passed down to them from their fathers.
“We must consult the Lord on this matter. If you are willing, I would like to bring the priests and prophets together and have you put this question before them as a whole. Maybe the Lord will give His answer through one of them.”
“That would be agreeable. Could we do this right away? Our families are expecting us to return and help with the labor.”
“I believe they can manage another day without you. I will make arrangements for the priests and prophets to assemble right after the morning sacrifice tomorrow.”
“Then we will wait.”
The men find a place to eat and stay the night. The answer they seek will take a little longer than expected.
Regem-melech consoles them. “We need to be patient. Who knows if the Lord would have answered the priests immediately. This is probably for the best.”
The group of men are on hand to watch the morning sacrifice. They offer praise and thanks to the Lord as the sacrifice is being laid on the altar. It has been quite some time since they were able to witness the morning sacrifice. Their hearts are all filled with awe and wonder before everything is concluded.
Joshua sees the men standing together at the edge of what has been designated as the inner courtyard. He smiles at their punctuality and persistence. He believes that God is honored as well. He walks over to them.
“If you will follow me, I have arranged a place to meet. The prophets and Levites are gathering there as we speak.”
The men nod and fall in step behind Joshua. He leads them to a humble looking home. Voices emanate from the home as they approach. The words are not distinguishable but the tone is. It sounds friendly and welcoming.
Joshua leads them all in without even knocking of the door. All heads turn and the room goes quiet as the men enter. The owner of the house quickly steps forward to welcome the visitors.
“Please, join us in a light snack. I have water for you to wash your feet first, if you so desire.”
The visitors look at one another and shake their heads. “We appreciate your hospitality, but we are refreshed from this morning. We would like to present our petition to the Lord as soon as possible. It is a burning question within us, as we have debated it amongst ourselves during our travels.”
The host is not the least bit offended by the men’s refusal. “Of course. I understand your desire for answers. Allow our brothers a moment to prepare themselves.”
The priests and prophets quickly abandon their dishes and sit around the edges of the room. Joshua motions for the men to take the center of the room. Regem-melech moves to the center while the others wait near the door.
After a moment’s pause, Regem-melech poses the question a second time. “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”
Joshua had not shared the question to be brought before the Lord with anyone who was not present to hear it the day before. He felt they should all have open minds and hearts to hear from the Lord.
As the priests and prophets look around at one another, Zechariah is hearing from a different source. He is hearing from the Lord. Zechariah stands from where he is sitting, to address the men. Rather than addressing Regem-melech directly, he turns a little so that the man who posed the question in the beginning is in view.
“When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? Were not these the words that the Lord proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?” (Zechariah 7:5-7).
“I don’t know how to answer this” replies Regem-melech. “The fast was unto the Lord, but it was not commanded by Him. Jeremiah, the prophet, instructed the people to fast in the tenth month.”
“Our fathers were given an even greater command. ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart’ (Zechariah 7:9-10).”
Zechariah raises his hands in resistance. “But they wouldn’t listen. They hardened their hearts so much that they were as hard as diamonds. Impervious to His words. This way, they couldn’t even ‘hear’ the words of the prophets. And this angered the Lord greatly. ‘As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate’ (Zechariah 7:13-14).”
Regem-melech doesn’t know how to answer. He drops his head in resignation to the facts the Lord has laid out.
Zechariah begins to move about the room as he continues to share God’s words. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the Lord of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the Lord of hosts? Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness” (Zechariah 8:2-8).
Smiles abound in the room. This is a prophecy that all can enjoy and long to be fulfilled. But it still does not answer the question that was posed.
Zechariah isn’t finished with the Lord’s words yet. “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in, for I set every man against his neighbor. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the Lord of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong” (Zechariah 8:9-13).
Everyone in the room is overjoyed with this prophecy. Spontaneous praise breaks out. It goes on for a couple of minutes before Zechariah begins speaking again.
“For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘As I purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, so again have I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not. These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord’” (Zechariah 8:14-17).
Zechariah’s words bring a sense of déjà vu. This is exactly what the Lord told their fathers to do, but they refused to listen. “Please, Lord! Don’t let us make the same mistakes” rises from every heart in the room.
As everyone is thinking over what the Lord has shared, Zechariah begins speaking again. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace” (Zechariah 8:19).
Finally, the answer to the question brought to the Lord. And it is a joyous answer. Regem-melech looks over his shoulder to the men who accompanied him. Heads are nodding in recognition of the answer. But SO MUCH MORE has been received. The answer to fasting is only a tiny portion of the favor the Lord has promised today. And they have been given the opportunity to do what their fathers refused to do. To walk in the ways of the Lord. To love truth and peace. To render true judgments. To show kindness and mercy to one another. To refuse to oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor. And to abstain, each of them, from devising evil against another in their hearts.
But God isn’t done yet. Zechariah speaks again. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.’ Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you’” (Zechariah 8:20-23).
Smiles break out as those in the room imagine ‘ten men taking hold’ of their robe, just to be where the Lord is. And they realize that THIS is also saying that the Lord will welcome those ‘ten men’, as he welcomes His people.
Zechariah sits back down. The words the Lord has for his people are finished. After a few minutes of silence, the host rises from his seat. “Please join me in a meal to celebrate the words of the Lord.”
Even the men from Bethel join in the celebration. Afterwards they head home. On the way they talk about the prophecy and the answer to the question.
“I was ready to give up on ever getting an answer. I would continue to fast, if called upon to do so.”
“I would have too. But I’m MORE than happy to celebrate God’s mercy instead.”
(to be continued)
I have never been great at fasting. There was one time in my life that I fasted for an answer from the Lord. God brought the answer, but not exactly as I had hoped for. I wonder too if I was fasting for the ‘right’ reason. If I wasn’t trying to ‘make God listen’ to my plans.
Father God, forgive me if I tried to manipulate You. Thank You for answering my prayer anyway. I’m MORE than happy to celebrate Your presence. I am also MORE than willing to seek You and ask for Your guidance, favor, and even forgiveness. Let me NEVER take our relationship for granted.
