Recent decisions made at both the federal and state level indicate that the end of social distancing may be on the horizon, and, with that possibility, we need to consider what spiritual preparations we need to make for our return from exile. In today’s lesson, we’re going to examine the experience of the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity, and we’re going to notice some mistakes they made in an effort to prevent ourselves from doing the same when our exile ends.
Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. 4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.“
Zechariah 1:3-4