Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me: “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? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?

Zechariah 7:4-7

Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me: “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? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? Zechariah 7:4-6

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 today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 7:4-7, which the commentary outlines as the second of five divisions for the text 7:1-8:23 (7:1-3/8:18-23, 7:4-7, 7:8-10, 7:11-14, 8:1-17).  The commentary offers an application largely consistent (including reference to 1 Samuel 15:22) with my post yesterday, as the title for this division in the commentary is Transformed from Serving Ourselves to Serving Him.  Key excerpts from the commentary:

• "When God’s people observe a fast or any other religious tradition to please ourselves or to win the admiration and approval of others, God is not pleased and the activity is wasted."
• We are urged to avoid traditions just for the sake of our own comfort and desires as it becomes "...a meaningless tradition or, worse yet, a type of idolatry."
• Many churches are likely guilty of this traditionalism.  "But traditionalism is when we take the form of what has been done before and we just go through the motions without considering the meaning. Experiencing God’s living presence requires deep transformation and we begin to say, “Lord, I want to serve You and not myself. I don’t want to just go through the motions."

We are encouraged to remember Jesus' words where he shares the most important commandments to love God and love others - see also Matthew 22:37-40.  When we seek to love God first, we will pursue a worship that is pleasing to Him and wholly appropriate for the One who is before, in all things, and holding all things together. 

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 for me - loving me before I loved You and while I was still an enemy and hostile to You.  And You also saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my 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 to 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.