Overtaken by God’s words
Opening Prayer
Precious Savior, thank You for walking with me today and every day. Thank You for the wonder of salvation!
Read Zechariah 1:1–6
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo: [2] “The LORD was very angry with your ancestors. [3] Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty. [4] Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. [5] Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? [6] But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors? “Then they repented and said, ‘The LORD Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.'” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What were the people to learn from their forefathers?The name Zechariah was common—over 30 Old Testament characters have that name! This Zechariah, the prophet, may or may not be the same as the one mentioned in Nehemiah 12:16, but he was almost certainly a priest. His early message recognizes that God’s people, freed from exile, are living in a new era. Previous generations had rejected God’s ways but this has passed (4, quoting Jer. 18:11; 25:5; 35:15). God’s words of judgment had “overtaken” them (6). This is a hunting term to describe how the hunter catches up with his prey. But now God promises that if they return to him (repent), he will return to them (3). There is much hope and promise in Zechariah’s words. Previous generations may inspire or warn us, but how much do we really learn from history? Each generation has to learn for themselves what it means to shun contemporary customs or attitudes that deter people from following God. It has always been a challenge, although we may think it is an even greater challenge today. Young people in our society who follow Christ are certainly under scrutiny, needing to rely on God to equip them to be faithful.
Apply
Pray for any young people you know who follow Christ, that they have conviction and boldness to stand out among peers.
Closing prayer
Father, make me a blessing to this generation and an example for those to follow.
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