7:9Zechariah 7:9

The verse commands honest and fair decisions together with mercy and tender compassion toward every brother.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+2 It forbids taking advantage of the widow, the fatherless, the stranger, and the poor, and forbids secretly planning harm against another in the heart.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+2 It was given to the people rebuilding after exile as the condition of God's promises, warning them not to repeat the idolatry and self-seeking that had brought captivity and would bring dispersion and desolation.PK 703.2–704.2+2 Its principles belong to God's kingdom and must appear in daily life in the home, among neighbors, and in business, in fair treatment, loving help, and generous united effort to lift up the needy, instead of harsh bargains, oppression for gain, or neglect of the work appointed.Ms 4, 1902, par. 4–5+4 Those who refuse to listen harden their hearts like stone against God's law, bring His wrath and judgment until the land lies desolate, and will cry to Him without answer as they once refused to hear His call.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+2

The command is to carry out true and fair judgment between people and to show mercy and compassion, every person toward his brother.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+4 That fairness in judging and kindness in dealing are what God requires in how people treat one another.Ms 4, 1902, par. 4–5+4 The same instruction forbids oppressing the widow and the fatherless, the stranger and the poor.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+4 It also forbids plotting evil against one another, cherishing or imagining evil against a brother in the heart.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+4

It was spoken to those rebuilding after the exile as the practical conduct belonging to the promises given to Israel.PK 703.2–704.2 They were not to repeat the sins that had led to captivity, but to practice justice and show mercy and compassion to one another.PK 703.2–704.2 Instead they did the opposite of the work appointed them, pursuing their own interests rather than judging fairly and treating one another with mercy and compassion.Ms 164, 1899, par. 7–10

It stood as a warning before dispersion, after the people forgot God for idolatry though He had made Zion His holy habitation.Ms 138, 1899, par. 23–25 The command to execute true judgment and show mercy and compassion to every brother, with its guarding of the vulnerable and its ban on inward evil-plotting, is spoken just as surely now as it was to God's people then.Ms 138, 1899, par. 23–25

True judgment with mercy and compassion toward one another is not optional religious observance but practical obedience to God's law made essential, while fasting or worship performed for selfish ends is rejected.Ms 4, 1902, par. 4–5+1 The duties required include refusing to oppress the widow, the fatherless, the stranger, or the poor, and refusing to plot evil against a brother in the heart.Ms 4, 1902, par. 4–5 These requirements of fair judgment, mercy, and compassion are principles of God's kingdom itself, to be revealed through the lives and character of His people.Ms 4, 1902, par. 4–5+1

The command reaches into dealings within the Lord's household, where believers are to help one another and avoid conduct that harms or neglects others.6T 460.1–3+1 It likewise governs dealings with neighbors, calling for truthful, fair treatment joined with loving concern.6T 460.1–3+1 What is required is fair and honest judgment with mercy and compassion between people, expressed in mutual care for one another.6T 460.1–3+2 These same principles apply to business dealings and to how people treat others in everyday life.Lt 42, 1912, par. 1–2+1

In business the standard rules out using knowledge or property to oppress others for personal gain.Lt 354, 1906, par. 5–12+1 Making harsh terms that take advantage of another violates the requirement of honest, fair dealing joined with mercy and compassion.Lt 354, 1906, par. 5–12+1 Such dealings are recorded by God and must be set right.Ms 122, 1906, par. 3–4

The command calls for practical, united help rather than blame or neglect, with those able to help acting cheerfully and generously to restore a fellow worker or institution in need.Ms 64, 1902, par. 18–20+1 Failing to act honestly toward fellow workers and to help the work in the South violates God's purpose, and neglect of that field stands as a witness against those responsible.Ms 64, 1902, par. 18–20+1 Those handling sacred work ignore the command to judge fairly and show mercy and tender compassion to one another when they lack personal piety and exalt self.Ms 64, 1902, par. 18–20+1

To turn away from this command to carry out true judgment and to show mercy and compassion to every brother hardens the heart like adamant stone against God's law and against the words He sent through the former prophets.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+2 Such refusal stirs God's anger and brings great wrath and judgment, scattering the people with a whirlwind among nations they do not know and leaving the pleasant land desolate.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+3 By clinging to an unsanctified, unsubdued way, men place themselves in opposition to heaven's purposes, so that enemies gain power to humble them.Ms 138, 1899, par. 23–25 As they would not listen when God called, so He will not answer when they cry to Him.Lt 360, 1906, par. 12–13+1