Read: Zechariah 5-9
Marked: Zechariah 7:9-10, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.’”
How does God desire that we conduct ourselves? These verses give us insight. Our relationship with God and obedience to His word prepares us to live in the world as examples and witnesses of the grace of God.
Therefore, we ought to be gracious to others in the execution of justice, mercy, and compassion. And not just fellow believers, but all our neighbours.
God chastised His people, those who were named after Him, for their disobedience regarding this. It is easier to act religious and do religious things, than to actually love others. Their failure showed they didn’t really know God as they claimed.
James draws a comparison between faith and works in James 2:14-17 in how we treat others. If we act religiously towards them but do nothing to meet their need, what profit is there to what we profess? James says our faith is dead.
Are we listening to God? Zechariah shows the rebellious reaction of His people. They refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, stopped their ears so that they could not hear, and made their hearts like flint (V11-12).
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