Zechariah, 7
5. Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying: When you fasted, and mourned in the fifth and the seventh month for these seventy years: did you keep a fast unto me?
5. Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying: When you fasted, and mourned in the fifth and the seventh month for these seventy years: did you keep a fast unto me?
Zacarias 7 deals with the questioning of Jews about the continuity of the fasts in the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months of the year. The prophet Zechariah answers this question with a message from God, which emphasizes the importance of justice, mercy, and compassion, above religious rituals. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in Zechariah 7, in order of proximity to the chapter:
Proverbs 21:3: "Practicing justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than to offer you sacrifices." This verse highlights the importance of justice, which is a central theme in Zechariah 7.
Isaiah 58:6-7: "This is not the fast I chose, that he leaves the ligasures of wickedness, undo the jug's bandages, and leaves the broken free, and that shatters all yoke? Your bread with the hungry, and collect at home the helpless poor? And when you see the naked, the cubes, and do not hide from your flesh? " This verse emphasizes the importance of mercy and compassion, which are values that Zacharias 7 highlights as more important than fasting.
Matthew 23:23: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For that dizimal mint, dill and cumin, and despise the most important of the law, judgment, mercy and faith, but you must do it These things, not omit those. " This verse highlights the importance of justice, mercy and faith, which are values emphasized in Zechariah 7.
1 John 3:17: "But if anyone has this world and comes to his brother to have a need, and close his heart, how will the love of God be in him?" This verse highlights the importance of compassion and love for others, which are values highlighted in Zechariah 7.
Luke 6:36: "thirst for merciful, as well as your Father is merciful." This verse emphasizes the importance of mercy and compassion, which are values highlighted in Zechariah 7.
“Cuide de estar sempre em estado de graça.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
