Learn From The Past

 O. T. #2297  "Learn From The Past"

Oct. 11, 2022

Zechariah 7-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

What a wonderful weekend. We had our celebration of our 50th year since graduating high school. It was great to see old friends. (No pun intended.) Since I spent all of my school years at the same school, I knew everyone, some longer than others. We share memories together of our fun times. Of course, there were a few who have passed away and some who did not come to join us. A couple have cancer, which is sad. My takeaway from it was to be thankful for my days of life, reach out to others with the love of Jesus, and be all God wants me to be, for my time is getting shorter. 

We are still looking at the first message that God gave to Zechariah for the Jews. The people at Bethel sent some guys to find out if they should continue fasting each summer on the anniversary of the Temple's destruction, as they had done for so many years. Then the Lord said to ask if they were really fasting to Him. Even in the Jewish holy festivals, are they eating and drinking just to please themselves? Isn't that the same message the LORD proclaimed through the prophets when Jerusalem and Judah had all well?

What was the LORD's answer?

• Judge fairly, show kindness and mercy to one another.
• Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. 
• Do not scheme against one another.
• Their ancestors refused, stubbornly turning away, putting their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing. 
• They made their hearts as hard as stone so they could not hear the Lord's instructions or messages of repentance. 
• That is why God got angry at the Jews.

Since they refused to listen when God called to them, He would not listen when they called out to God. So they were scattered among the nations and their land was desolate that no one even traveled through it. Their pleasant land became desert due to their rebellion. What a lesson from which to learn!

This fast is still observed today by orthodox Jews as the Fast of Gedeliah, their governor.

LET IT GROW

The important thing was for them to obey God's Word and His Spirit. It was not a matter of ritual. That is how great joy, peace, and prosperity to Israel came during David and Solomon's time. So this generation should obey instead of substituting rituals for obedience.  The Day of Atonement was the only annual fast required by God's Law. (Lev. 23:27) Although, other fasts were called for by God. (Joel 1))

Obedience is better than sacrifice the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)

Do we examine the true motivation of self-gratification in our feasts/fasts? If our motives are wrong, God is not pleased with the external formalities and conformities.  It is the heart which He looks at. Our fasts should not be burdensome. nor for show. God is pleased by obedience, not by self-imposed fasts!

The Jews were to look forward, not backward. Learn from the past and be faithful in the future. 

LET IT GO

Help us to spread Your fame, Jesus, today, in our corner of the world, and to those who need hope.

But I have spared you for a purpose-to show you My power and to spread My fame throughout the earth. (Exodus 9:16)ET IT GO