Compare Zechariah 7:2 with James 1:5 about seeking wisdom from God. Setting the Scene • Zechariah 7:2—“Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech together with their men to plead with the LORD”. – A delegation travels to the temple, seeking clarity from God about prolonged fasting. • James 1:5—“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”. – Individual believers are invited to petition God directly for wisdom in any circumstance. Two Requests, One God • In Zechariah, the people ask through priestly channels; in James, the believer approaches God personally. • Both passages affirm that the LORD Himself—no intermediary human source—is the wellspring of wisdom. Key Observations • God welcomes inquiry – Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know”. • God gives without reproach – James emphasizes generosity; Zechariah shows no rebuke for the question itself, only for hypocritical motives (7:4-14). • Motive matters – Zechariah 7:5-6 exposes empty ritual; James 1:6-8 warns against doubting, double-minded requests. • Wisdom is practical obedience – Zechariah 7:9-10 links God’s answer to justice, mercy, and compassion. – James 3:17 describes wisdom as “pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit”. Principles for Today • Approach God boldly but humbly—He is eager to respond (Hebrews 4:16). • Examine the heart; genuine submission invites clear direction (Psalm 139:23-24). • Expect an answer aligned with Scripture’s moral clarity, not mere curiosity (Proverbs 2:6). • Receive and act—wisdom unused becomes hardness of heart (Matthew 7:24-25). Living It Out • Bring every decision before the Lord with a surrendered spirit. • Open Scripture daily; God’s written Word is the primary channel of His wisdom. • Watch for His answer through circumstances, counsel, and the inner witness of the Spirit, always testing by the Word (1 John 4:1). • Obey immediately—each step of obedience invites greater understanding (John 7:17). |
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