There are two weeks left in this life-study reading program. Even if you have fallen behind, be encouraged! Let’s press on!
The reading for today, December 10th, is Message 8 in the Life-Study of Zechariah:
THE ADVICE TO ISRAEL TO TURN FROM THE VANITY OF THEIR RITUALISTIC RELIGION TO THE REALITY OF A GODLY LIFE AND THE DESIRE OF JEHOVAH TO RESTORE ISRAEL
This message covers Zechariah 7-8.
Here is the outline from the message:
I. THE ADVICE TO ISRAEL TO TURN FROM THE VANITY OF THEIR RITUALISTIC RELIGION TO THE REALITY OF A GODLY LIFE
A. To Turn from the Vanity of Their Ritualistic Religion
B. To Turn to the Reality of a Godly Life
1. To Hearken to the Word of God
2. Judging with Judgment of Truth
3. Each Man Speaking Truth to His Neighbor
4. Loving Truth and Peace
II. THE DESIRE OF JEHOVAH TO RESTORE ISRAEL
A. The Desire of Jehovah and the Restoration of Israel
1. Jehovah of Hosts Being Jealous for Zion with a Great Jealousy
2. Jehovah Returning to Zion and Dwelling within Jerusalem
3. Old Men and Old Women Dwelling in the Streets of Jerusalem
4. The Streets of the City Being Full of Boys and Girls Playing
5. It Being Wonderful Both in the Sight of the Remnant of Israel and in the Sight of Jehovah
6. Jehovah Saving His People from the Land of the East and from the Land of the Going Down of the Sun
7. The Children of Israel Being Encouraged to Be Strong
8. The Remnant of the Children of Israel Earning Wages, and Their Animals Too
9. Jehovah Causing the Remnant of Israel to Inherit Blessings
10. Jehovah Saving the People, and the People Becoming a Blessing
11. The Fasts Becoming Joy and Rejoicing and Cheerful Feasts to the House of Judah
B. The Nations Coming to Israel to Entreat the Favor of Jehovah, and the Children of Israel Being Priests to Them
1. Peoples, Even the Inhabitants of Many Cities, Coming to Israel
2. Ten Men Taking Hold of the Skirt of a Jewish Man and Saying That They Will Go with Him
3. The Children of Israel Being Priests to the Nations
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I have had a renewed appreciation for being God’s priests. Though of course the promise in Zechariah as covered in this message is speaking specifically regarding the children of Israel and the time during the restoration I just felt the Lord was making a calling to us today. We are the new testament priests of God. As such we should turn from the rituals of our religion. Forget about fasting and weeping! We need to turn to having a godly life, that is a life lived in and with and through Christ. When we have such a life and living others will “take hold of our skirt” and come with us to the meetings. They will ask to follow us to God. In this way we can exercise to be God’s priests to all the nations, bringing them to God and God to them.
“If we are the overcomers, we will be in the heavenly part of the millennial kingdom as kings and priests. If not, we will be in some other place to be disciplined and to become matured.” Lord have mercy on us to be overcomers!
Chapters 7 and 8 cover the turning from vanity of ritualistic religion to the reality of a godly life and also the desire of Jehovah to restore Israel. Wow, what a rich portion.
First, let me point out that although God’s people were in the right position physically, God was still concerned for their inward condition. The Lord wanted them to turn from their ritualistic religion with its weeping and fasting to the reality of a godly life full of righteousness, lovingkindness, compassion, truth and peace. Second, Jehovah desired a full restoration of His people. Jehovah of hosts was jealous for Zion. Eventually, the situation becomes wonderful in the sight of the remnant of Israel and in the sight of Jehovah. Both God and His people may say, “This is wonderful!” The vine will bring forth fruit, produce will be abundant in the land, and dew will descend from the heavens. Praise the Lord for these blessings!
Some believe we have to wait until the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens to experience such a restoration. On the contrary, the writer of Hebrews experienced “the powers of the age to come” (Heb. 6:5). Furthermore, Romans 14:17 reveals, “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Today, I hope the Lord will bring us into the experience of this word, into the reality of it; as oppose to remaining content with the objective knowledge of it. Lord Jesus, we open our entire being! Permeate my inner being, from center to circumference! Rekindle, refresh, revive, and restore all of Your people! Amen.