[:en]SCRIPTURE: ZECHARIAH 7
“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ (Zechariah 7:9)
‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 7:13)
JUSTICE AND MERCY, NOT FASTING (vs. 10-14)
The Jews had a tradition to fast on the ninth day of the 5th month to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem. A remnant was now rebuilding the city and the temple. So, they went to the priest and said: “Should we mourn and fast in the 5th month as we have done for so many years?” (v. 3)
The word of the Lord Almighty told Zechariah to ask the people two questions: (1)-When you fast, was it really for me? (2)-When you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves? The word of the Lord Almighty came to Zechariah and said: “Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow and the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts, do not think evil of each other” (vs. 9-10)
The previous generation refused to pay attention to God’s command. They turned their backs, stopped up their ears and hardened their hearts. So, the Lord was very angry. He would not listen to their call. Instead, He settled them among the nations and made their land desolate.
THINGS TO PONDER:
There is nothing wrong in following traditions. However, to make sure that the tradition is meaningful, we should ask these questions:
- Are we doing it for the Lord? – If we are doing it just for a ceremony without putting our heart on the Lord, it is meaningless.
- Does doing this help us serve others? – God wants mercy not sacrifice. Showing compassion and mercy by helping the poor and needy is what the Lord wants.
- Does doing this make us obedient to His Word? – Carrying out traditions without obeying God’s Word is useless.
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