Execute True Judgment and Show Mercy - Zechariah 7:9

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said “And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, ...”, and in chapter seven and verse nine of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the LORD said, “execute true judgment, and show mercy”where we read,

Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, 

Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

The verse reads, “Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “thus speaks” or “in this manner utters, declares and proclaims” “the LORD of hosts” which means “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”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God who rules over the angel armies declared the following words.

The verse goes on to say, “... execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:”Zechariah continued with the words, “execute true judgment” or “govern, vindicate, punish and rule with firm, sure, reliable and stable justice, ordinance and acts of deciding a case”, “and show mercy” which means “and fashion, accomplish, work and produce goodness, kindness and faithfulness” “and compassions” or “and bowels of pities and tender love” “every man to his brother” which means “each, the whole and all people both male and female toward his, the person's, relative, kinship and companions”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God instructed the people of Israel to carry out sure and reliable justice while they demonstrated pity, tender love and care to all their relatives and companions. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how Jehovah God emphasized relationships with people over the carrying out of religious practices such as “fasting and mourning”. God wants us to care for one another, and we can realize He demonstrated His love toward us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and believe and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to care for others in the same manner that He cares for us. (See John 13:34; 15:12, 17; Romans 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9) 

Next time Zechariah shares how the LORD says, “oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor”, 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".