Monday, December 21
Read Zechariah 6-7
Think About It:
- God never intended for the high priest, Joshua, to take control as king in the Jerusalem of his day. Joshua was crowned because he would prefigure the next descendant of David to rule. Who would this next ruler be? Zechariah 6:12-13 prophesies of the BRANCH, who is both king and priest. This was an unthinkable concept previously in Israel because priests did not sit on thrones and kings did not serve as priests. Nevertheless, the Branch is different; He rules as both a King and Priest.
- The Law of Moses only commanded one fast day, on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-34). In addition to this day, during the exile the Jewish people instituted four more fasts to remember key dates in the tragic defeat of their nation. Now since God’s people were back in the land and the temple was rebuilt, they wanted to know if it was appropriate to continue to these fasts of mournful remembrance. This brings up an issue that is relevant today: How long should we remember and mourn over our past? Should we do things to remember either our sins or the tragedies of the past? When we cling to the memory of sin or tragedy in the past, are we doing it out of simple self-indulgence or for the LORD?
- God’s word through Zechariah rebuked the people of God for what their fasting had become – indulgent pity-parties instead of a time to genuinely seek God. Because their hearts were not right with God, their rituals were not right before God. Everyday obedience would make their times of fasting meaningful, but their neglect of everyday obedience made their fasting hypocritical. God plainly told them what He wanted from His people, what was it? Have God’s requirements changed?
Family Time:
- Who was Zechariah told to give the elaborate crown to? (verse 11)
- Read through verses 12-13. These verses are talking about Joshua. Who else does it sound like?
- What was wrong with the people and the priest’s fasting? (verses 6-7)
- It is SO important to do things for the right reasons. God asks us to do things for Him – because we love Him. Have you ever prayed out loud or shared a memory verse just to look cool? Do you raise your hands during worship or sing really loud so people will think you are really holy? This is disobedience. We are to obey God in all things. When He asks us to do things for Him, we must obey. Verses 8-14 tell of what happened to God’s people when they fasted for their own glory. Doing things for our own glory is not worth it!!
