Lesson Not Learned

Scripture: Those in Bethel sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek and their men to entreat the graces of the Lord, saying to the priests and prophets of the house of the Lord of Hosts, “Should I weep and dedicate myself during the fifth month as I have done in these many years?” Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Say to all the people in the land and to the priests: When you fasted and lamented during the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, did you really fast for Me? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves? Were these not the very words that the former prophets proclaimed when Jerusalem dwelled with ease along with her surrounding cities, and when the Negev and the Lowland were inhabited? And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying: Thus says the Lord of Hosts: Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion, every man to his brother. Do not oppress the widow, orphan, sojourner, or poor. And let none of you contemplate evil deeds in your hearts against his brother. Zechariah 7:2-10

Observation: The remnant is just returning to Jerusalem, and immediately those in Bethel ask "does this mean we can stop our ritual mourning for the destruction of Jerusalem/Judah?" Similar (identical?) to the way Jesus answers questions about religious rituals, God's answer is in the form of a basic question ... "Why were you doing that in the first place?" And of course God knows the answer: They were doing these things for their own sake, and not to fulfill any command from - or worship to - God.

And just like that, God points out that the lesson was not learned. The Jews (especially in Judah) have always turned God into a set of ritual practices in the hopes of appeasing him. God destroyed Israel and Judah because he wanted them to return to him with love and relationship, and to honor him as their God, instead of treating him as just another lower-case-god they needed to appease in order to cover their butts. And when he is ready to relent, they come forward and ask if this means ... can they stop doing their NEW rituals they have been doing in order to cover their butts?

Application: I have stated before that I absolutely need to not rely on ritual, and to live my life out of my relationship with God and Jesus. I need to be about Micah 6:8, with behaviors taught in Romans 12. I need to walk humbly with my Lord every day, serving him with my body, mind, heart, and soul, as my true act of worship. I need to drive my actions out of justice and mercy, on a foundation of love for others.

I must not turn my relationship into religious "process" or a checklist. If I will only do his will, all the other things will take care of themselves.

Prayer: Again Lord, I ask that you protect me from evil attacks. I am clearly under attack, and I need your spirit and love as my strength and shield. I wish to only walk with you daily, taking the hand of my dad. Please allow me to simply engage in your work today. Amen.