Today's Scripture Reading (October 3, 2023): Zechariah 1
In
almost every story, there is another side or a second perspective. Sometimes,
that second perspective isn't apparent, at least not while the story is
ongoing. Maybe an example of that is the War in Ukraine. The truth is that
traditionally, the people of the United States have been late adopters of the
idea of entering a war in Europe. It was true in World War I. President Woodrow
Wilson seemed to understand very early the danger the European conflict
represented to U.S. interests, but the nation he led wasn't convinced. And so,
when War was declared on July 28, 1914, the United States sat quietly on the
sideline as a neutral power that sold weapons to the Allied Powers. It wasn't
until April 2, 1917, that the United States finally entered the War, and then
only because German attacks in the Atlantic had cost many American lives and
threatened the American ability to conduct trade and make money across the
Atlantic Ocean. It wasn't until this aspect of the emerging story became
apparent that the United States had any desire to join the fight.
There
was a similar feeling when World War II broke out in Europe. Once again, the
United States was reluctant to join the European conflict. What happened in
Europe would remain in Europe. When Germany attacked Poland on September 1,
1939, the United States sat firmly on the sideline again. It wasn't until Japan
attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which was supposed to give the
United States a bloody nose and keep them on the sideline, that the American populace
realized that the European conflict once again stubbornly refused to stay in
Europe. Once again, they had to enter the battle.
So,
it shouldn't surprise anyone that the American public once again questions why
they should be involved in yet another European War. Proponents want us to know
that there is a second side of the story in the Russo-Ukraine conflict, that
once again, this European War threatens to overflow the local borders and touch
the nations of the world. From this perspective, this European conflict is
little different from the World Wars that preceded it. Like Germany in 1939,
Russia intends to unify Eastern Russia, and maybe more, under its banner.
Detractors of the War believe that Russia can be appeased and that all they
want is unity with Ukraine, a similar argument to the one that argued that
Germany should be allowed to take Austria and portions of Czechoslovakia before
World War II. Who's right? We may not know the answer to that question until
the conflict ends. Right now, all we can do is gather information.
Haggai
and Zechariah wrote their prophecies within months of each other. Ezra reveals
the deep connection between the two prophets.
Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a
descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the
name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel son
of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the
house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting
them (Ezra 5:1-2).
But the two prophets offer us a different look at the time.
Haggai centers his prophecy on the Temple in Jerusalem. The reality is that if
all we had were the Book of Haggai, we would come away with the impression that
all God was concerned about was the Temple and that the completion and care of
the Temple in Jerusalem could sum up the service of God. Nothing else mattered.
However, Zechariah offers us a second perspective. Yes, the Temple was
important, but God's focus spills over to the people. God wanted the Temple
completed, but he also wanted the lives of the exiles, both those returning to
Jerusalem and those who had decided to stay in exile, becoming the Jewish
diaspora, to connect with him. The people were important enough to be the focus
of God's attention and the recipients of his mercy and forgiveness.
Tomorrow's
Scripture Reading: Zechariah 2
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