LEARNING DAILY

Zechariah 8:15- 17, But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.

The words spoken by Zachariah in chapter eight give a glimpse of God’s plan for His people and the city of Jerusalem. He speaks to the people words of a time of peace, prosperity, and a city that is filled with the presence of God. God speaks through the prophet of the coming of the Messiah who will establish His eternal kingdom. Zechariah reminds the people of God’s love for them and His desire to restore them in order to encourage them during the challenges they face. Zackariah tells the people to remain true to following the Lord and His command because He will do what He has said to them.

 “So don’t be afraid. But this is what you must do.” I believe that every encounter with God comes with the expectation for a response. God was going to bless His people; their response was to be worthy of Him. “Prophecy has never been given to merely satisfy one’s curiosity. God expects our hope for the future to cause us to seek Him and His kingdom with greater intensity and commitment” (Life in the Spirit Study Bible). James 1:22, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (NLT). 1John 3:3, “And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure” (NLT).

“But this is what you must do.” Zechariah speaks to this people words that apply to every Believer today. He emphasizes, honesty, integrity, and justice in interactions with other people. Speaking truth to those around us should create an atmosphere of open conversation and, hopefully, mutual respect. Honesty in our communication seems to be more difficult in this world we live in. Zechariah mentions justice. Those in the legal system need to be reminded about the need for fairness and equity as judgments are made. It is a reminder that true and sound judgments are to be made equally for all individuals. Judgments are not to be based on personalities and politics.

Integrity has always been important in one’s interaction with others. Integrity for the Believer is following, being obedient to biblical truths found in God’s Word. Zechariah is reminding Believers to make a personal commitment to speak truth and practice doing the right thing in business and in their personal lives; begin by examining if there are areas of compromise in biblical teaching. Zechariah’s words to not only hear the truth but to live it out each day as decisions are made and interaction with others happens.