Zechariah 5-8, Psalm 16
Zechariah 8:16-17 (NLT)
“But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.”
In Zechariah 8:16-17, the Lord speaks through the prophet Zechariah and says that He is determined to bless His people, but only on the condition that they fulfill their part of the Mosaic covenant. One Bible commentary I read noted that Father-God desired a community grounded in righteousness and justice. The people were to tell the truth and render sound judgments in their courts. They were also not to plot evil against one another or make oaths and promises they had no intention of keeping. The Lord tells Zechariah that He hates all sin and injustice.
These verses reveal the Lord’s character to believers. Father-God desires His people to reflect His holiness. The Lord has an aversion to sin and injustice. If we know the Lord’s character and understand what He hates, we can be motivated to avoid those things. The commands the Lord gives through Zechariah are practical and can be acted upon immediately.
These verses remind me of the second greatest commandment in the New Testament, when Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Speaking the truth fosters unity and trust between people and within a community. Rendering just verdicts in the courts also promotes unity because people believe they are being treated fairly. Not harboring evil intentions toward others and not making promises you cannot keep are also ways of treating your neighbors as yourself.
When I follow these commands, I know I am reflecting the Lord’s character to others, which I believe pleases Him and helps me grow in holiness.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who transforms our hearts so we can reflect His character to others—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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