Zechariah 7: The Heart of God
Zechariah 7: The Heart of God
14. I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land they left behind them was so desolate that no one traveled through it. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.
◇ The Lord revealed to Zechariah why the land became desolate and why His people were scattered among the nations.
Through the ancient prophets, God had commanded them to administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another, do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor, and do not plot evil against each other in your hearts. Yet they stopped up their ears, turned their backs stubbornly, and made their hearts as hard as flint (7:9-12). Therefore, God's great wrath came upon the land of Judah and its people. Through this wrath, the land became desolate and the people were scattered.
Yet God promises restoration (8:7-8). He promises that His people will return, the temple will be restored, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and His people will enjoy all these blessings (8:9-13).
For this to happen, there are things the people must do: speak truthfully to one another, render true and sound judgment in their courts, do not plot evil against each other in your hearts, and do not love to swear falsely (8:16-17).
What God desires from His people is that they help one another and live in peace. The wealthy should share with the poor, and those in power should not use their strength to oppress the vulnerable.
But instead of living this way, the rich sought to become richer by taking food from the mouths of the poor, and the powerful oppressed the weak... Eventually, God's wrath brought devastation, and all were scattered.
We see the same pattern today. God is alive and active. Truth and justice will surely prevail.
♧ Good and righteous God, help us to reflect Your heart. Grant us Your heart as we engage with the world and our neighbors. Help us show mercy where mercy is needed and cry out for justice where justice is required. Holy Spirit, make us strong and courageous. Amen.