Mercy and Justice

The citizens of Bethel were about to embark upon an annual fast. Before commencing, they inquired of the prophet Zechariah, as to God’s will concerning the fast. The answer they received was unexpected. One would have thought God would cheer them as they fasted, yet the opposite. They were rebuked. God actually told them not to fast. Can you imagine? You are about to worship God, read your word, go without food like Jesus did, but all of a sudden you get a glaringly clear signal from God to defer your spiritual activities.

Digging deeper we realize God was not against fasting. But in this situation, the people had overdone fasting. According to Isaiah 58, true fasting must result in acts of mercy and kindness to the less fortunate. Thus Zechariah corroborated Isaiah’s position when he indicted the people for choosing to fast. See, they had forgotten about works of mercy and justice for the poor. Mercy simply put is acts of kindness to help the oppressed, while justice is effecting change at the institutional level, such as in changing policies, in courts, etc.

Israel was in a time of prosperity. They had been freed from bondage to Assyria, Babylon and Persia. It was their time to rebuild temple and home. Thus they focused on industry, personal wealth attainment, home renovations, and maybe even temple duties. Yet they were forgetting the most important thing. For God, the hallmark of blessing, was that the poor would be catered to, and justice be served in their society.

God declared to Zechariah that he wanted to pour his spirit on the land, and restore Israel to glory. Yet this vision of the Lord would be inhibited if he could not trust his poor in their hands.
Maybe you are limited in a capacity, and wondering why? Or perhaps your clarity is blurring in areas of career, personal wealth and self-development goals. Why don’t you measure yourself up against the gauge of Zechariah “And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” Zechariah 7:9-10

As a ministry, I believe we are in a similar season as the inhabitants of Bethel, Israel. We have just fasted and sought God. The next imperative is to take up the challenge and care for the less fortunate. Ask God to lead you in this period as to how to serve others. It might be in small ways such as talking to a homeless person, volunteering at a homework club, or larger ways such as advocating for injustice at a local town hall meeting. Remember, that in as much as you do to the least of these, you do unto him.

May you be blessed, by blessing others.