Zechariah 7 & 8: Whose Rite Is It Anyway?

What if God isn't impressed with our religious habits and pietism? For seventy years, the people of Judah thought they were doing the right thing by sticking to a solemn tradition they started themselves. It was a yearly memorial filled with mourning and weeping over the destruction of the temple. But, seeing as how they were rebuilding the temple, they asked God for a break from this ritual. His response turned their question around on them. He asked why they were performing the ritual in the first place—for God or for themselves? When we keep traditions and ceremonies not commanded by God, do we have the right motivation?  The Rev. Peter Schmidt, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and School in Waukesha, WI, , joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zechariah 7 and 8.  To learn more about Beautiful Savior, visit beautifulsaviorwaukesha.org. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God’s chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God’s authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God’s Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected].