Zechariah 1: 12-17 A call to repentance

Then the angel of the Lord said, "O Lord of hosts, how long will you have no compassion for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which you have been indignant these seventy years?" The Lord answered, "Proclaim, saying 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, "I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion. But I am very angry with the nations who are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they furthered the disaster. Therefore I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; my house will be built in it and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem. My cities will again overflow with prosperity and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem. "

The main reason Judah went into exile is because they broke the Sabbath laws concerning the land. God said to farm the land six years, but let it rest by laying desolate on the seventh years. Judah did not obey that law and farmed the ground on its Sabbath ten different times. They were judged by being sent into exile for seven years for every Sabbath broken. They were then required to spend seventy years in exile. This is why the angel of the Lord asked God concerning his people who were in captivity now that their time was up. So God proclaims that he will now restore Judah and cause her to prosper again, and the temple will be built and they will have fellowship again. He will monitor her according to the covenant by placing a measuring line among her to insure she has returned to him.

Daily Prayer: Father, we don't please you very easily, and it our tendency to forget. Even though the hard years of exile are paid, now that the prison door comes open, often times it is easier to remain a prisoner than to live the freedom gained. By your Spirit, build us up so that we remember and work towards a life that is pleasing to you. This I pray in your holy name Amen.