Chapter 1:
a. A call to return to God will not always remain (Mercy will not always be available, after the offer for mercy, then comes judgement).
Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 1:3
Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Zechariah 1:4
Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? Zechariah 1:5
****Though they failed to return, God’s word still prevailed:
But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors? “Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’ ” Zechariah 1:6 NIV
NB: The Lord does to us what our ways and practices deserve
