Zechariah Chapter 7 Bible study Zechariah 7:1-14 The Danger of Empty Religion.The prophet receives a message from God in response to a question from the people of Bethel regarding religious fasting. For over 70 years, the Israelites had observed fasts to mourn the destruction of the temple during their exile. They wanted to know if they should continue these practices now that the temple was being rebuilt.God's response, however, reveals a deeper issue: their fasting and religious rituals had become empty acts, disconnected from true devotion and obedience to God. Through Zechariah, the Lord challenges their motives and calls attention to the heart behind their religious practices. He points out that their fasting was not truly for Him, but for themselves. Their rituals lacked sincerity and compassion, as their hearts remained hardened toward justice and mercy.The message turns from fasting to addressing broader concerns about righteousness. God reminds the people of the warnings given to their ancestors before the exile. The former prophets had urged Israel to practice justice, show mercy and compassion, and not oppress the widow, orphan, stranger, or poor (verses 9-10). However, their forefathers had stubbornly refused to listen, resulting in their downfall and exile.Zechariah emphasizes that God is more concerned with the heart than with outward religious observances. Empty religion—practices devoid of love, obedience, and concern for others—is meaningless to God. The people had become so focused on the ritual that they neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and humility before God. This chapter is a powerful reminder that God values genuine faith.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Coming from Arab, Alabama, and growing up in Tampa, Fla. I moved with my family to Georgia in 1969. I was saved by God’s marvelous Grace in September 1972 at Blue Springs Baptist Church located down the road from North Cobb High School in Acworth, Ga. Called to preach at 16...
