June 5, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors?” (Zechariah 1.5b-6a)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

It is a definitive question, is it not? “Where are your ancestors now?” Then God followed it up with another definitive question in His monologue with Zechariah [son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo], “And the prophets, do they live forever?” It is important that we understand the lineage of Zechariah who has been introduced as the son of Berechiah and the grandson of Iddo. Berechiah was a member of the royal family of Judah. That may be a bit of “glorification” on the editor’s part as the “royal” identifier applies more to the House of Judah than to a cherished position of royalty such as a prince. If we remember, Joseph and Mary were also descendants and thus members of the royal family of Judah. They were by no means exalted royalty as we might think of in terms say of “the royal family of England with King Charles and his entourage.” But the line and House of Judah is prophetically significant; especially in terms of the Messiah. History informs us that Berechiah was the father of Meshullam who led in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. What is interesting in that information is the dichotomy which existed between Meshullam and his work and Zechariah and his work. One, Meshullam, dealt with the practical and pragmatic side of the restoration of Jerusalem and thus Israel. The other, Zechariah, speaks of the spiritual emphasis not only in his role as prophet but in the focus of his prophecies as to the nature and character of the people.

Zechariah was a contemporary of another great prophet of the Restoration Period. That prophet’s name was Haggai. Zechariah’s family line could be traced back to Aaron, the brother of Moses. We are told his grandfather was Iddo who served in the court of Solomon and his descendant kings. Iddo had set himself apart from other prophets of the day by his call to dwell in the spirit of God. It is that “spirit” emphasis which continues through Zechariah and speaks to the heart, mind and soul of the people coming together to restore and rebuild Israel. It is that emphasis which God directs Zechariah to consider then what makes for a truly strong people and nation. Those who do not submit to the Word and Will of God shall be judged by it. It is the extension of God’s love to both the just and the unjust, the righteous and the unrighteous, the holy and the profane that brings the sovereignty of God to weigh over the people. This God is able to, remembering the words of Jeremiah, “plant and uproot, build and tear down.” The whole of life is in the realm of God’s authority and determination. Nothing escapes God’s attention. Equally, nothing can separate any of us from the love of God to save or to condemn; to discipline or cast out. It is this spiritual frame of reference which I have found flowing through the fabric of the Old Testament witness culminating then in God sending His Son, Jesus, into the world on earth to restore the hope of being God’s people “in spirit and in truth.” Even the early Genesis stories show two basic lines of thinking to tell the witness of the people of God called Israel. One is the practical side which is captured by the priests and the kings and the language oriented in that direction. The other speaks of the spiritual side which alludes to the role of faith and submission to God’s Word. It is not against nor apart from the Law but it dwells in the essence and “spirit” of the Law. The practical side speaks of sin as breaking the rules. The spiritual side speaks of breaking the heart, mind and soul of the people.

What we may be able to learn from these two poignant questions asked of Zechariah is a reality check for ourselves. No one escapes the justice and injustice of the world before God. Those who submit to God’s word and will face the same “end” as those who don’t. In this world on earth, no one lives forever. [Okay, the exception is Enoch who walked with God for 365 years and then was taken up to Heaven.] It is not the “end” of life which creates the validation of one’s life but the life that is lived from end to end. The same would be true for the nation of Israel. The “old” has passed away and the “new” has come; at least as far as opportunity was concerned. However, if the heart, mind and soul of the people doesn’t change then the result would remain the same. I am not sure how many times we have to experience that lesson before we actually learn it. In my teaching philosophy, one has not learned to master a concept or practice until it can be taught to others to their mastery level. Trust me, I know from experience, perfection is elusive if not impossible. We may see “10s” given in gymnastics and dunking contests but under scrutiny they are not perfect just more perfect than others doing similar things. This is the path of righteousness. It is a move from imperfection, which we are as sinners, toward perfection, as we are called by Christ to emulate what our Father in Heaven is doing. Some may call it miraculous or supernatural, but in the realm of the Spirit it is normal and natural. What is abnormal are the atrocities committed by those who presume to know more and assume more about themselves and others. In some ways, we might say they are adept at “assuming they know the mind of God because they are gods, too.” This is heresy and sacrilege and those who practice it are judged harshly by the Judge of All who is deference to the love He has for those love Him exercises just authority. In the end, as in the beginning, “God’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.“

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.