Zechariah 1:3
Zechariah 1:1-4 (see also Malachi 3:7)
In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying, “The LORD was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.’ Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.” But they did not listen or give heed to Me,’ declares the LORD.”
Jephunneh Palit-ang comments: “Most religious groups hold to the teachings of John Calvin, who taught that it is not possible for man to choose God. Rather, only God can choose man. Calvin’s whole theology is premised on the belief that man can never turn and choose God, but God must irresistibly choose man. However, such a theology is in direct violation to what Zechariah was preaching to the Jews. Zechariah said that the relationship had been severed because of the people’s sins. It was up to the people to return to God. The people were to make the first step, not God. God would not return to the people until the people chose to turn to God.”
Jeremiah 18:12-13 furthers this point, when after imploring Israel to turn back to Him, Israel responds back to God saying, “It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.” (v.12) So essentially, unrepentant Israel throws Total Inability in God’s face, and God turns to appeal to the pagans, asking if they had ever heard of anything so absurd, “Ask now among the nations, who ever heard the like of this? The virgin of Israel Has done a most appalling thing.” (v.13) Of course, the Calvinists would have to respond, “Yes, we’ve heard of it. It’s one of our doctrines. Total Depravity.”
