For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

    You do not bring people together by stirring up anger, or by reminding people of their grievances. When you remind people of their grievances, legitimate or not, you spread division and strife. Take a close look at those who claim to be trying to bring people together while emphasizing the grievances and complaints of various groups.

    If you rely on people, even powerful people, to rescue the oppressed from oppression, you will be disappointed. The powerful, no matter how well-intentioned, can only help you for as long as they live. When they die the structures they have created will resume oppression. It is only when we rely on God that we will see the oppressed rescued from oppression in any meaningful way. It is God, and only God, who can bring about long term change for the better. I will praise the Lord for as long as I live, for it is He who cares for the orphan and the widow. He will see that they receive justice.

    Today’s passage refers to the fall of “Babylon”. The “Babylon” referred to here is the city/nation which dominates the world both economically and militarily. It had used its position of power to take unfair advantage of others. John warns us as believers to not take part in the sins of “Babylon”. I am not sure that this prophecy is a once and done prophecy. I believe that any nation which rises to power by oppressing others will suddenly fall and the people of that nation will suffer when that fall happens. Certainly we should take careful thought about this prophecy because if it were about today “Babylon” would be the United States. Are we guilty of the sins which this prophecy ascribes to “Babylon”? How can we separate ourselves from the sins of our nation?

    Zechariah condemns those who were called to lead God’s people who, instead of serving the people they were called to lead, used their position of leadership to enrich themselves at the expense of the people. However, he also condemns the people for choosing to follow such leaders rather than the good leaders whom God has sent them. I see this in the Church today. All too many people are following leaders who are abusing them, while rejecting leaders who offer to serve them. Zechariah warns us that God will bring persecution and suffering upon the Church if we do not follow those whom He has sent to lead us. I, also, see that God is calling some to serve His people as He desires. Are you one of those called to serve and lead God’s people? If so, are you truly serving them? Or are you “eating the meat of the fattest sheep?”