I’m closing down my wordpress
March 14, 2009
I have moved all my writing efforts to ONE blog, and it is not this one. If you read my blogs and would like to continue to do so, please visit:
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thank you for reading
How we doin…
September 26, 2008
I am in Zechariah right now, and today I have read chapters 7 and 8. There are some instructions regarding the MOTIVE behind fasting (and all other ritual) but asking the people, “was it really for me that you were fasting?” Then God assures the remaining people that he is going to turn things back around for them, because things which seem impossible simply aren’t for God. He is going to restore great things for Jerusalem.
BUT…
He gives them some pretty specific instructions throughout. They are to judge fairly, show mercy and kindness to each other. They are to care for a pretty particular group of people: the widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. They are not to be scheming against one another. (7:8-10)
This care is a call that God gives to his people throughout the Bible. We are constantly told to care for (and particularly NOT to oppress) the widows, the orphans, the foreigners, and the poor. I am prompted to ask my country, my society, my church, my family, and ultimately MYSELF, “How are we doing at that?”
Though I may not personally oppress these people, I have mostly sat idly by while those groups are oppressed on a daily basis. Me, a pastor! On a daily basis, these specific groups of people (and others) are oppressed, and not all of those cases are outside the U.S. Not all of those cases are outside of Sacramento.
IS MY IDLE INDIFFERENCE EQUALLY OPPRESSIVE?
God continues in chapter 8 to tell his people what they are to live out. “Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.”
How are we doing there?
“Don’t scheme against each other.”
How we doin…
“Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are truth.”
How are we doing?
“SO, LOVE TRUTH AND PEACE.”
