Zechariah 7:1-14

February 18, 2024

FBC Baxley

pm service

Zechariah 7:1-14

7 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.

2 Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the Lord,

3 saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”

4 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me:

5 “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?

6 And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?

7 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?’”

8 And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,

10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.

12 They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.

13 “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” says the Lord of hosts,

14 “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.”

-PRAY

Introduction:

Good evening. tonight, we look into the book of Zechariah, focusing on Zechariah 7:1-14.

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of genuine worship and the transformation of our hearts in the eyes of the Lord.

-In your minds, Go with me to a bustling city where a renowned chef decided to open a restaurant.

This chef was not just interested in the visual appeal of the restaurant or the sophistication of the menu; he had a deeper desire.

He longed for patrons who would not just appreciate the ambiance or the presentation of the dishes but who would savor the flavors with genuine delight.

Much like this chef, our heavenly Father desires more than just the outward expressions of worship.

In Zechariah 7:1-14, we find a community engaged in religious rituals, yet God challenges the authenticity of their worship.

Just as a discerning chef desires genuine enjoyment of his culinary creations, our God desires sincere worship that springs from transformed hearts.

So, let us focus on the words of Zechariah, exploring the ingredients of true worship and the transformation God seeks within us.

I. Historical Context (Zechariah 7:1-7):

1 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. 2 Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the Lord,

3 saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”

4 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me:

5 “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?

6 And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?

7 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?’”

This chapter begins with understanding the historical context of Zechariah's message. In the fourth year of King Darius, the people of Bethel sent representatives to the house of the Lord to inquire about continuing a tradition of fasting and mourning.

The prophet Zechariah responds with a question from the Lord, challenging the sincerity of their motives.

A. Superficial Observance:

The people sought approval for their religious rituals but lacked the genuine commitment to God.

They fasted and mourned, but their hearts were far from Him.

This prompts us to reflect on our own religious practices – do we engage in them superficially, or is our worship a reflection of a transformed heart?

B. God's Call to Authentic Worship:

Zechariah emphasizes that God desires more than mere religious rituals; He desires authenticity in our worship.

God desires a heart fully surrendered to Him.

As we examine our lives, let us evaluate the sincerity of our worship, ensuring that our actions align with a heart transformed by God's love.

II. God's Expectation for Social Justice (Zechariah 7:8-10):

8 And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying,

9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,

10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

Moving on, Zechariah conveys God's expectations for His people beyond ritualistic acts of worship.

The Lord calls for justice, mercy, and compassion in our dealings with one another.

A. The Call to Justice:

God's message through Zechariah is clear – true worship is inseparable from a commitment to justice.

The people were urged to "administer true justice" and "show mercy and compassion to one another."

This challenges us to evaluate how we treat others and to ensure that our worship extends beyond the walls of the church into our daily lives.

B. Heart Transformation Manifested:

A transformed heart is evidenced by actions that reflect God's heart for justice.

As we worship, let us also commit ourselves to advocate for fairness, mercy, and compassion in our communities, workplaces, and relationships.

III. Consequences of Ignoring God's Call (Zechariah 7:11-14):

11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.

12 They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.

13 “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” says the Lord of hosts,

14 “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.”

Finally, Zechariah concludes by warning of the consequences of ignoring God's call to genuine worship and social justice.

The people faced judgment for their disobedience, highlighting the severity of neglecting these crucial aspects of faith.

A. God's Desire for Repentance:

Even in the face of impending judgment, God extends an invitation to repentance.

The Lord desires a genuine turning of hearts, a return to Him with sincerity and a commitment to His ways.

B. A Lesson for Us Today:

As we navigate our Christian journey, let us heed the warning from Zechariah.

Neglecting the call to genuine worship and social justice can have dire consequences.

May we embrace repentance and allow God to transform our hearts, leading us to a life of worship that honors Him in spirit and in truth.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Zechariah 7:1-14 serves as a powerful reminder that true worship involves more than religious rituals – it requires a heart transformed by God's love.

As we evaluate our lives, let us strive for authenticity in our worship, a commitment to social justice, and a repentant spirit that seeks God's transformation.

May our worship be a pleasing aroma to the Lord, reflecting the love and justice of our gracious God.

-PRAY

-INVITATION