Daily Devotional
Truth in the Holy City
The Lord promises to dwell in the midst of His people and to make them a city of truth and peace. But such a city is not built by pious words while brothers devour brothers. In Nehemiah, the cry of the poor rises up against those who lend at interest and seize field, vineyard, and child. In Ecclesiastes, a little folly corrupts what seemed honorable. In Zechariah, the Lord names the works that belong to His restored people: truth in speech, just judgment, and hearts cleansed of malice.
Therefore the repair of God’s house is not only with stones, but with honest scales, restrained tongues, diligent hands, and mercy toward the needy. A people may fast, pray, and speak of Jerusalem, yet if they profit from a brother’s distress, cherish grudges, or love false oaths, they make the holy oil stink. As Gregory of Neocaesarea says, “Flies falling into perfume, and drowning, make the appearance and use of that pleasant oil unseemly; so, too, it is improper to have both wisdom and foolishness together in one’s mind.”
The Lord who returns to Zion also searches the heart. He does not ask only for reverence in worship, but for equity at the gate and kindness at the table. Tertullian says, “Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour. Zechariah 8:17 He who counselled that an injury should be forgotten, was still more likely to counsel the patient endurance of it.” If we would be citizens of the city of truth, let us cease from gain that wounds another, from lazy neglect, from false speech, and from secret revenge. Then our feasts will not be hypocrisy, but thanksgiving.
“Flies falling into perfume, and drowning, make the appearance and use of that pleasant oil unseemly; so, too, it is improper to have both wisdom and foolishness together in one’s mind.”
— Gregory of Neocaesarea
“Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour. Zechariah 8:17 He who counselled that an injury should be forgotten, was still more likely to counsel the patient endurance of it.”
— Tertullian, Against Marcion
For Reflection & Discussion
Is there any debt, price, fee, or advantage by which you are profiting from another person’s need, and what will you change today to make it just?
What false word, exaggeration, oath, or concealed truth must you confess and set right today with your neighbor or household?
Whom have you kept in your heart under judgment, and how will you practice patient endurance by refusing retaliation and doing a concrete good for that person this week?
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