Scripture Reading : Zechariah 7
Theme : True Religion
False Religion (1-7). The people of Bethel want to know whether they should continue to fast to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, now that the temple is being rebuilt. God does not just reply to the people of Bethel, but replies to the whole land. God reveals that their outward religious fasting and other rituals are empty because they were not done from the right motivation: love for God (cf. Matt. 6:1, 16-18). Fasting and other rituals were observed for themselves, just like their sinful forefathers had done, whom God exiled. In chapters 7-8, God proceeds to correct their unfaithfulness by warning them of His judgment (hell) and by reminding them of the glorious future of Israel (heaven). God again lays out two choices before them: faith in God that results in covenant keeping and heaven or unfaithfulness to God that results in covenant breaking and hell (Deut. 27-28).
True Religion (8-14). God states that true religion is a faithful relationship with God that results in loving others and being kind to others, especially the weak (James 1:27). This is what He values the most: the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:34-40). Rituals are important but must be performed with right motives. Their forefathers did not worship God with the right motives, so God destroyed them for their sins. God warns them of the same outcome if they do not repent.
Praying the Scripture
- God’s punishment of past generations’ sins is meant for the current generation to learn and then repent of their sins. Sadly, instead of humbling themselves, many people resent God even more for punishing their family members. Some people also resent that the gospel was not available for their forefathers to hear. If people have never heard the gospel it is because their forefathers rejected it and even persecuted God’s people for spreading the gospel just like many communist countries. People should not blame this on God, but should blame their own forefathers and learn from their mistakes and repent. Even when people continue to reject God, God graciously keeps reaching out to them just as Jesus continued to reach out to the gentiles even after they had rejected Him by sending the healed maniac in Luke 8:39 as a witness to the gospel. God is more gracious than you think. His love is amazing. His love should lead us to repentance, not indifference or hatred, or to take it for granted (Rom. 2:4).
- God, we confess that many times we are like these Israelites who worship you and serve you not out of thankfulness and love for you, but out of our own selfish desires. We often serve you because of our pride, fear, guilt, self-protection or personal gain. We do not love you perfectly as we ought. Sometimes we are just going through the motions. Please forgive us. Thank you that Jesus has died for all of our sins. Apart from Jesus, we deserve hell for our ugly, adulterous sins. Please give us the spiritual strength to live for you and to be pure in our motives.
经文：撒迦利亚书7
主题：真实信仰
虚伪信仰（1-7）。伯特利人想知道，如今殿已建成，他们是否还要继续禁食，纪念耶路撒冷和圣殿的毁灭。神沉默不答，但开口向全以色列说话。神表明他们外在的禁食及其他仪式都是虚空的，因为那都不出于正确的动机，也就是对神的爱（参太6:1,16-18）。禁食和其他仪式都是为自己守的；他们罪恶的祖宗也曾如此，结果被神留在旷野里。在第七至第八章里，神继而改正他们的不忠，告诫他们未来的审判（地狱），也提醒他们以色列荣耀的未来（天堂）。神再次为他们展现两个选择：信神，而其结果是守约和天堂；或不忠，而其后果是违约和地狱（申27-28）。
真是信仰（8-14）。神表示，真实的信仰是对神忠贞；他会爱人，也会关怀他人，尤其是软弱者（雅1:27）。神最重视的是那两条大诫命（太22:34-40）。礼仪固然重要，但人心也要正直。他们的祖宗不以正确的动机敬拜神，所以神因他们的罪消灭他们。神警告：他们若不悔改，后果也会如此。
用经文祷告
- 神对古人罪恶的惩罚是供今世的人学习，叫他们从罪中悔改。可悲的是，他们不但不谦卑，反而因神惩罚他们的家人而更恨神。有些人也很在意他们的祖宗没有机会听到福音。倘若人从来没听到福音，那是因为他们的祖宗曾拒绝福音，甚至逼迫那些传福音的，如在许多共产国家一样。人不当怪神，乃要责备自己的祖宗，并吸取他们的教训而悔改。即便人继续拒绝神，神仍以恩典伸出祂的手，就如耶稣即便被外邦人拒绝后还伸出祂的手，在路加福音8:39差派治愈的疯子作福音的见证。神比你想象中的更有恩典。祂的爱很奇妙。祂的爱应当促使我们悔改，而不是对祂冷漠、怨恨或被视为理所当然（罗2:4）。
- 神啊，我们承认自己曾多次像这些犹太人一样，之所以敬拜侍奉你不是因为爱你或感激你，而是出于自己的私欲。我们经常因为自己的骄傲、惧怕、愧疚、自我保护或私人利益侍奉你。我们没有以当有的爱心爱你。有的时候，我们只是按时行事。求你饶恕我们。感谢你，因为耶稣为我们的罪代死。除了耶稣以外，我们都应当为自己丑陋、淫荡之罪下地狱。求你给予我们属灵的力量为你而活，心有纯洁的动机。
