God’s Message on Obedience

A study on Zechariah

God’s Message on Obedience

Zechariah 7:8-14

Theme: God calls His people to obey through the prophet

Introduction: We learned earlier in this chapter that there can be a danger of traditions. “Tradition is the living faith of the dead, wrote theologian Jerislay Pelikan: “traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” Traditionalism means going through the outward motions instead of honoring the Lord from our heart; it means participating in a religion event but failing to have an inner spiritual experience.

The basic doctrines of the Christian faith must be handed from generation to generation but the customs and traditions of the early the church don’t carry the same authority as the inspired Word of God. As time changes, customs can be detrimental to the work of the Lord. To institute fasts because of the tragedies that occurred in Jerusalem and yet not repent because of the sins that caused the tragedies, was missing God’s purpose of discipline. (Wiersbe).

God sent Zechariah to preach God’s message to the people regarding obedience. Too often we can be preoccupied with doing something for God rather than being something for God. It’s easier to have a religion of habit than a religion of the heart.

This second message from the Lord goes directly to the heart. Obedience and love to God is seen in how we treat others and how we respond to God. God teaches a valuable lesson on His Word. It is His final authority.

Please note God’s instruction.

I. God’s changeless message. 8-10

“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (1 Peter 1:24–25)

God sends the message. There are times when God sends a message and people don’t like the message. So, they resist, ignore, or worse, kill the messenger. The first Christian Martyr Stephen died because God sent a message to the people.

A. Exercise true judgment 9b

1. True judgment means to dispense true justice.

2. God is very clear there is not to be multiple weights when dispensing out grain-just means to be honest and to be fair in dealing with others.

3. This means we remove preconceived ideas about people and treat everyone with respect.

“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)

B. Show compassion to others 9c

1. Show mercy and compassion to others especially those who are brothers.

2. Mercy is not giving people what they deserve and this is rooted in love—love shows mercy and gives people the benefit of the doubt.

3. Compassion is internal where we want to help others.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;” (1 Corinthians 13:3–5)

C. Oppress not the weak v. 10a

1. Some people are just bullies and like to oppress people-push people around by intimidation.

2. Oppress means to get deceitfully.

3. We are help the weak and helpless when we are able.

4. The neediest and defenseless need to be protected.

D. Plot no evil v. 10b

1. We are not to take advantage or seek revenge on other people.

2. This plotting is in the heart where evil lurks-

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

3. An unforgiving heart seeks revenge and will inspire evil.

4. A transformed heart with God will cause our hearts to act rightly towards others.

5. Righteous living requires letting go of grudges and refusing to devise ways of hurting others, even those who have afflicted hurt on us, our family, or God’s people.

II. Man’s rebellious response vv. 11-13

God had sent this message to the generation before them and did not obey. When you know Christ as your Savior, you will have a compelling desire to want to pursue righteousness.

A. Refused to listen v. 11a

1. Refuse is an unwillingness to accept or grant something requested.

2. They would not listen and obey-this clearly is a call for obedience.

B. Turned their back v. 11b

1. Turn their back on truth and God Himself.

2. They turned away from God stubbornly, like a rebellious ox.

3. Imagine turning our back to God and expecting God to bless us.

C. Stopped their ears v. 11c

1. They stuck their fingers in their ears as if to stop the hearing of the commandment.

2. Even if we don’t listen, the message has not been changed or will be any different.

3. This is a deliberate act of not listening to God’s Word through the prophet.

4. While we may not do this, I wonder how many are not in church because they refuse to listen to God’s Word.

D. Hardened their hearts vv. 12-13

1. They made their hearts like a rock-the Hebrew word is diamond

“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;” (Jeremiah 17:1)

2. In essence they were saying: “We won’t hear You. We’re not interested in what You have to say.”

3. They wanted to keep their rituals and do their religion that makes them feel spiritual but they are unwilling to change the way they live.

4. Pursuing religion without righteousness is only for decorating our lives outwardly. It may look attractive and impressive on the outside but the poison is sin still indwells the heart-Jesus says the Pharisees are whited supluchres.

5. We need transformation by the power of the gospel. Our hearts will be tender to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

III. God’s guaranteed judgment v. 14

A. God scattered them

1. Because of their refusal to listen, God scattered the people.

2. Refusal to obey brings the consequences of sin and here God scattered them.

B. Land made desolate

1. Their farm lands and crops were desolated.

2. The fruit and grain from their farming where they depended on God was destroyed.

3. Their human effort made no effect on their crops and God says when you refuse to listen, God will bring judgment.

Conclusion: Just as God has sent His Word and His messenger, great wisdom is to we trust and obey His holy Word.