In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said to Israel, “the LORD has been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say you unto them, Thus says the LORD of hosts; Turn you unto me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, says the LORD of hosts”, and in chapter one and verse four of Zechariah, Zechariah said, “turn you now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings” where we read,
Be you not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts; Turn you now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, says the LORD.
The verse reads, “Be you not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts;” Zechariah began with the words, “be you not as your fathers” or “do not in any way or manner exist similar and in likeness to your, the people of Israel's, male ancestors, progenitors, heads and founders of a household”, “unto whom the former prophets have cried” which means “to whom, the fathers of the people of Israel, the foremost, first, chief and previous speakers, spokesmen and inspired men called out, uttered a loud sound, summoned and proclaimed”, “saying”or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “thus say the LORD of hosts” which means “the following utters, declares and proclaims Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God who is over the spiritual army of angels and warriors”. Zechariah instructed the people of Israel not to exist similar to their forefathers to which the previous inspired speakers spoke the following words from Jehovah God who rules over the angel army.
The verse goes on to say, “Turn you now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings:” Zechariah continued with the words, “turn you now” or “come away and be removed, people of Israel, at this time and moment” “from your evil ways”which means “separate and apart from your, the forefathers of the people of Israel's, bad, disagreeable, malignant, unkind and wicked journeys, paths and manner of living”, “and from your evil doings” or “and separate and apart from your, the forefathers of the people of Israel's, bad, disagreeable, malignant, unkind and wicked deed, practices and acts”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God instructed the forefathers of the people of Israel to be removed from their wicked manner of living and their malignant and disagreeable practices, acts and deeds.
Finally the verse says, “but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, says the LORD.” Zechariah concluded this verse with the words, “but they did not hear” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, the people of Israel, in no way or manner gave heed to, yielded or obeyed”, “nor hearken unto me” or “no and not in any way were attentive, listening nor giving heed to me, Jehovah God”, “says the LORD” which means “utters, declares and proclaims Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Zechariah ended this verse with Jehovah God saying that the forefathers of the people of Israel did not listen to or obey Him and they did not take heed to what He had to say.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how Jehovah God was speaking through prophets to the forefathers of the people of Israel, however, they did not pay attention to, listen or obey Him concerning their wicked deeds and manner of living. God knew what was best for the people of Israel, but they made their own path and listened to themselves rather than Him. The same is true today. Many people choose to chart their own way, and rather than listen to and obey God, they venture out on their own. This is not the way it should be. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for every sinful practices and deeds that people commit, and when we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a listening ear, an obedient heart and an attentive mind so we will remain in constant fellowship and communion with Him. Otherwise we are as dull of hearing as the forefathers of Israel, and Oh what a price will be paid by those who will not hear and obey.
Next time Zechariah asks, “your fathers, where are they?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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