"Right Ritual..Or Just 'Right'?"

Scripture Passage

Zechariah 6:1-15; Ezra 5:3-6:14; Zechariah 7-8:23

Scripture Focus

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.” (Zechariah 7:9-10 NLT)

Observation

I love today’s reading from Ezra—enemies of God’s people are determined to halt the construction of the temple. Instead, they end up being ordered to help—with construction costs, the supply of sacrificial offerings to Yahweh, and even a meals per diem for the priests! Wow…

But the thing that’s captured my attention is the discussion in Zechariah 7 between the people of Bethel and the prophet himself. They’ve sent representatives with a question: “Should we continue to mourn and fast each summer on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction, as we have done for so many years?” (Zechariah 7:3 NLT)

“We’ve been observing a day of remembrance because of the destruction of the Temple. Now it’s rebuilt. Do we keep up with the observance?” (My paraphrase)

The question, essentially, is “Are we doing the ritual right?” And Zechariah’s answer, essentially, is “Are you doing ‘right’ right?”

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.” (Zechariah 7:9-10 NLT)

His words remind me of those of Isaiah when addressing this very issue *before* the destruction of the Temple.

“[6] Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? [8] Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:6-8 NIV)

I find all this a particularly interesting interchange one day after 9-11 observances all across America during a season of significant political turmoil. All the rhetoric is fine, I suppose (he writes, believing really that it isn’t)…but all the rhetoric in the world won’t accomplish God’s purpose—

“Are you doing ‘right’ right?”

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