Zechariah 7:9-11

We will learn our lessons one way or another…but we will learn them. Why? Because He loves us and will not leave us as He found us! To act differently brings division. Without love as our motivation…we are just useless noise.

God cares for the poor, the oppressed and the immigrant.

Micah 6:8

Be fair.

Be forgiving

Be humble

Zechariah 7: 9–11

 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘Execute true justice,

Show mercy and compassion

Everyone to his brother.

10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,

The alien or the poor.

Let none of you plan evil in his heart

Against his brother.’

11 But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear.

Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts.

The prophets continually emphasize that the ethical aspects of God’s law are just as important as the ritual aspects. Social justice is a prominent theme of prophetic teaching. Israel’s stubborn refusal to listen to the prophets and repent resulted in the judgment the prophets warned about. The prophet describes the hardening of one’s heart—an act of defiant stubbornness. Faithlife Bible.

Zechariah’s four admonitions highlight the practical social concerns that many of the prophets emphasized. 

Execute true justice: Judicial decisions must be made without partiality or bias. 

Show mercy and compassion: Loving commitment and concern should guide our relationships with others. 

Do not oppress: No advantage is to be taken of the helpless and less fortunate. Let none of you plan evil: Evil scheming against others is prohibited. 

Sacrifices and worship are of little interest to God if they are not accompanied by practical piety. The consequence was God’s judgment—they were scattered. NKJ Bible.

Zechariah 8:16 These are the things you shall do:Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;