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We must all remember that the mercies of the Lord will not continue forever. If we continue to reject Him, there will be a day when He will not hear. Today is the day of salvation. Come to the Lord while there is still time.

I met a man during a trip to China. He doesn't know me but he taught me some things. He reminded me of what God expects from me. Allow him to do the same for you.

Earlier in the passage that includes chapters 7 and 8 of Zechariah, the Lord had used a question about continuing one of the fasts as a basis to reprove the Jews for their insincerity. Now, He tells them that He has chosen to bless them. And more, there is coming a time when all the fasts will be turned to cheerful feasts. As Judah and Israel have been a curse among the nations, so they will be a blessing. Once again, God shows His grace and mercy.

This chapter has three major sections. First (v.1-8), God reproves His people for their sins and proclaims the separation these sins have made between them and their God. Second (v.9-15), the people despair of their condition and repent of their sins. Third (v.16-21), God raises up a Redeemer who delivers Israel from the enemy. God Himself will defend His people.

Though God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land, they continued to rebel against Him. In anger, He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh and delivered his strength into captivity (referring to the taking of the ark by the Philistines). But God still came back and defeated their enemies. He chose David of the tribe of Judah to lead the people of Israel. God is merciful to His people.

God tells of the future apostasy and rebellion of the children of Israel. Even now, their heart is turning against Him. Yet, the Lord has Moses prepare witnesses of Himself that will remain even in the times of rebellion. He has Moses present the words of the law in a book to be kept in the side of the ark as a witness. He also has Moses write a song that will serve as a witness when they turn from the Lord.

God continues to reprove Israel because of the ways they have treated Him. Their heart was not right with God. They provoked Him, grieved Him, tempted Him, and limited Him. They did not remember the deliverance of the Lord when He brought them out of Egypt. Yet God remembered that they were but flesh and had compassion on them. We should all glory in such a good and gracious God.

David ended his life well. He set up Solomon to follow him on the throne of Israel. He made provision for the building of the temple. He saw the people submit to Solomon as their next king. This passage reminds us that it is how a person finishes and not how he starts that really counts.

The Lord has told Moses that he will not be able to go into the Promised Land. However, we see Moses preparing the people and preparing Joshua as their leader to enter the land and conquer it. We, too, must learn to think beyond ourselves. We need to leave others with their eyes on the Lord and not afraid to follow Him.