Do
not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus
says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil
deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.
Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the
prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? Zechariah 1:4-6a
I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:4-6a, which the commentary outlines as the second of three divisions - entitled God’s Repeated Warnings Call Us to Return to Him - for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b). Here, the commentary emphasizes the repeated warnings God issues to His people to not be like their ancestors (vv2,4-6) who are described in the commentary as Judah and Israel before their exile and captivity in Babylonia and Assyria respectively. The prophets Isaiah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah all warned God's people to repent and turn from their wicked ways and deeds. One such warning that echoes the warning in Zechariah is provided in Jeremiah 3:12-14. Unfortunately, God's people did not heed His warnings and call to repent and the commentary describes how Jeremiah "watched with tears in his eyes as his beloved city Jerusalem was destroyed and God’s people were taken away." Jeremiah's weeping is captured in the book of Lamentations. The commentary then connects the warnings here in the OT to the gospel and how all of us will die - and we should take the opportunity to save ourselves for eternity by confessing our sins and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - thank You for softening my heart and for making me one of Your elect. I am not deserving of such grace and compassion. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
