Exposition by Max A Forsythe
The
Reformer's Fire
Exposition by Max A Forsythe
The occasion of this passage is the appearance of a delegation from the people of Bethel. Their purpose is to seek ecclesiastical advice from the prophet and the priests in Jerusalem. At this point in time, which is carefully dated to December 7th, 518 BC, the temple is being built and progress is quite evident. Thus, the people of Bethel request advice about continuing the ritual remembrance of the destruction of Jerusalem.
The fourfold series of fasts had been celebrated for a generation and a half. The fast of the fifth month (our August) marked the tragic destruction of the Temple on the seventeenth day. (See 2 Kings 25:8)
Three subsidiary events were also remembered by fasts as well:
1. The ninth day of the fourth month (our July) was recorded as the day when the city wall was breached. (See Jeremiah 39: 2)
2. The fast of the seventh month (our October) commemorated the murder of Gedaliah. (See 2 Kings 25:25 & Jeremiah 41: 1f)
3. And the tenth day of the tenth month (our January) marked the beginning of Nebuchadrezzar's siege of the city. (See 2 Kings 25: 1-2 & Jeremiah 39: 1)
During the Exile, these fasts may have been barely appropriate as a device for keeping the memory of the people's past alive We may well remember that the Mosaic Law had established only one fast for Israel in the day of Atonement each fall. There was also the time of remembrance set aside each year at Passover for celebration of God's providential deliverance. Several other dates were also celebrated including a national day of Thanksgiving after the harvest was in. The fasting holidays had been established outside of the Lord's requirements.
In a like manner we in the twentieth century may understand that our required rituals are also limited. Our requirements are threefold. We like the ancient Hebrews must set aside of one day in seven. This day, the Apostles changed from Saturday to Sunday. The second requirement is for a day of thanksgiving and the third requirement is that the institution of the Lord's Supper be remembered regularly.
Resurrection, atonement and thanksgiving are the proper themes for our celebration. In light of the common practice of the Christian Church in our era, we too might well ask like these people from Bethel what we ought to be about. What about Easter, what about Christmas, what about Reformation Sunday, Pentecost, or a host of other ethnic, national or denominational celebrations.
May we like the people in Israel establish national celebrations for our own purposes? Well, Easter at least might be understood to piggyback on the Jewish remembrance of the Exodus. But the rest are not be required, by matter of convenience we, like the exiled Jews may have created specific events to accommodate our own desires. Ought we like the people of Bethel to bring the rituals of our religion before the Lord of the universe and ask if they are appropriate?
I believe that I have informed you every year that our Christmas get together is for our own fellowship done beyond that which is absolutely required. Also I have been very careful of establishing annual rituals during "Holy Week" in the spring. Our ministry is not to simply establish a traditional Christian religion, no our purpose is to teach the true faith and to worship the Christ whose death and resurrection guarantee the atonement for which we are indeed thankful.
As we look carefully to Zechariah's answer to the question of ritual we should note well that the religious ritual of the Bethel delegation quickly becomes a non-issue in the prophets impassioned call for a life changing presence of the Spirit demonstrated by faithful deeds and hearts on fire to mirror the goodness of our God in heaven. There are four precepts that the prophet would urge upon us to demonstrate the love of God in our hearts.
Verse nine contains two positive encouragements: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." And verse ten contains two negative restrictions: "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other." This is what Zechariah would focus our attention upon instead of the visible ritualism practiced by both Testament Churches in times of corruption.
In the course of this summer series on the true faith I have tried very carefully to point out the religious failure of every major type of modern Christianity. Just like the ancient Israelites we too have a sinful tendency to make our own religion out of the true faith. Look carefully at verses five and six of our passage today. Why did the people really fast and feast? Was it with the Lord in mind?
Already, Zechariah senses that the people are falling back into the religious indifference which caused the Lord to send the destructive whirlwind of verse fourteen seventy years before. When the Lord called, they did not listen! So, as a result when they called, God decided not to listen. Would we reject the Word of God today? If we do should we be surprised at the general neglect suffered by the Church in our time?
God would leave Israel in the dust of destruction. Look at the description of the land in verse fourteen and compare that image to the destruction in Florida shown on television this week. But, this is not the Lord's final word to Israel just yet. In chapter eight God promises to come to Israel and bless the people once again. In verses fourteen to nineteen of that same chapter Zechariah predicts the transformation of all fasts into joyful feasts. And in verses twenty to twenty-three there is a forecast of the calling of the Gentiles to salvation.
What a grand and glorious cause for celebration lies in the future that is centuries away from Zechariah's own time. We, today well know that coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know just as well the essence of His teaching which Matthew (22: 34-40) and Mark (12: 28-31) record for us. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
In the context of our passage today in Zechariah, the positive and negative administration of the true faith mirrors the love demonstrated in Christ's second commandment. Also, the question brought to Zechariah demonstrates the lack of appreciation for the first of Jesus' greatest commandments. If the people of Zechariah's time had been more diligent in seeking and doing the will of their Father in heaven, they would have realized the futility of their own ritual religion.
If we here assembled today would equally be more interested in knowing and doing the will of our Father we might better give joyful thanks and praise for Christ's resurrection and atonement through the love of our witness and our lives. May the Lord so strengthen us to follow the way of Christ, and may we be preserved from falling into the religious traps all too common in every age.
Jesus tells us "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." May we earnestly desire His way, His truth and His life above all else as we gather around His table today.
Resources Used:
Baldwin, Joyce G. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Zechariah.
Boice, James M. The Minor Prophets: An Expositional Commentary.
Places Preached:
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America)
Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213
Joel01a 30 August 92
|
Return to |
Return to |
Return to |