July 19, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“‘See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven facets on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. And on that day each of YOU will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 3.9, 10)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Then, on that day, I will forgive the sins of the people/nation/land and

Therefore, on that day (not tomorrow, next week, next month, next year or whenever I get around to it unless I forget) YOU will gather my neighbors with me and sit under the vine arbor or the fig tree and rejoice. The true opportunity of “…Love your neighbor as yourself” comes cleanly into focus here. It is a reflection of the Shema: “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor.” The first part makes the second part as vital a truth in the whole picture of righteousness as anything else. Look at the “and” as a “plus sign” or better as a “cross.” It was on the cross that Jesus established the shepherd’s crook and staff as the vertical reality (Love God: earth to Heaven as God loves: Heaven to earth). It also establishes it as the horizontal reality (Love neighbor: east to west, west to east, north to south, south to north). The “vine” and the “fig tree” become representative of the prosperity of God’s mercy and grace upon all people: Jew, Gentile, Slave, Free, Male, Female. It is a picture of the Messianic Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.

While it may seem to you that the emphasis in this part of the vision of righteousness God bestows upon Joshua and his cohorts, Zechariah and the nation of Israel is the blessing, or gracing, of the vine and the fig tree, I would hit “pause” and ask you to listen again to this Word of God. Yes, it is true that the “vine and the fig tree” are symbols used to speak of God’s determination to bless Israel so that she would be great in fulfilling her calling of God and by God. Quick interpretations of those elements speak to peace, prosperity, fruitfulness and holiness which comes not from the earth but from above. We might think of the two teachings of Jesus concerning “I AM the vine and you are the branches” from John’s gospel (chapter 14) and the “Cursing of the Fig Tree” in Matthew (chapter 21).

But the critical element in this portion of the prophecy is “YOU.” The impetus is upon the person to whom the vision is given. It is not merely Zechariah. Nor is it only Joshua and his cohort. It is each and every person who hears this word whether they believe it, believe in it or not. There is a consequence, not a coincidence, of this action and response. What does God say? If “YOU” will consider your errors in judgment, confess your wrong decisions, repent of them by turning away from the unrighteousness you had chosen and turning in the right direction, then “I” will hear you and your petitions and “I” will answer from Heaven and save you, heal you and restore your land. (2 Chronicles 7.14) It is repeated in different words in these beginning remarks of prophecy (truth-telling) in Zechariah. As an extension of that “If/then,” I see the “then/therefore” connection of opportunity afforded to those who are hearing this word: Zechariah from the “Man in the Myrtles,” Joshua and Zechariah from the “Angel of the Lord” and then all who hear these words declared before them in their hearing: Jews, Gentiles and all nations. There is an impetus of action which I believe is revealed in this word which compels the listener to respond. There is the continuing of the “then” which is forgiveness, restoration and blessing of productivity. As it will be for Israel, so it will be for all who hear this word if they will listen to it. The consideration is that the Word is not spoken to a limited audience but one that is global and universal. The onus is on the “prophet, priest, shepherd, king and citizen” of God’s Kingdom whether on earth or in Heaven.

And what is that common response? The response is to share the peace, prosperity, blessing and future which God promises to all who will believe it and receive it and then engage with it in living it out in the midst of others. That is, mighty ones of God, the “therefore” response. It exists in that chiastic formulation popular espoused as a literary tool of the prophets. It looks like this in this particular passage we have been reflecting upon: if/then-then/therefore. What is the centering of this formula is critical and an element that cannot be substituted for. That element is God’s decision to act. What frames that decision is the activity of those who hear of God’s decision to act- the people. They present themselves to God, repent of their past, prepare themselves to receive the decision of God (good and bad, deservedly and then by grace) and then live it out. In doing so, the land of Promise is redeemed, the prosperity of the people for daily proficiency is revived and the future of peace and vitality is revealed as inseparable. We ought to hear this and pay close attention to the direction it points out to us. All who hear this should receive it, believe it and respond to it in the way that God prescribes and describes. What is that way? In this Old Testament version revealed to Zechariah and Joshua it is: on that day each of YOU will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree.

What? You don’t have a “vine” or a “fig tree”? Perhaps we should reflect more on that next week. Let’s suffice to say this here as in the New Testament version where Jesus declared “I AM the way, the truth and the life which is singular in its purpose of moving you graciously, continuously and purposefully into the presence of God; and there is no other way, truth and life apart from this to satisfy that which is your true desire and calling.” I believe we can ruminate on this for a while and pray about what God is calling each of us to be and to do and for whom. Until next week, shalom, y’all.

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.