3 saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”
2 Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the Lord,
3 saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”
4 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me:
5 “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?
6 And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?
7 Should you not have obeyed the words that the Lord proclaimed through the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?”
8 And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying:
9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,”
10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.
12 They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.
13 “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” declares the Lord of hosts.
14 but I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.
The True Meaning of Zechariah 7
The book of Zechariah was written by the prophet Zechariah, a contemporary of the prophet Haggai. Zechariah lived during the time when the Israelites had returned from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah addresses the people’s questions about fasting and the significance of their religious practices in this chapter.
Zechariah’s words provide insight into the spiritual state of the people as they grappled with the challenges of restoring their relationship with God. He reminds them that true devotion to God goes beyond outward rituals and requires a change of heart. The chapter foreshadows the importance of the people’s obedience and the consequences of their disobedience, themes that will be further developed in the chapters to come.
Zechariah’s message echoes the teachings of earlier prophets, such as Isaiah, who emphasized the importance of justice, mercy, and humility before God (Isaiah 1:16-17). Zechariah’s words offer guidance and challenge the people as they seek to rebuild their lives and their relationship with God, examining the sincerity of their faith.
Zechariah 7:1-3
The passage in Zechariah 7:1-3 sets the scene for the prophecy that follows. These verses mention the specific time frame of the prophecy, stating that it took place in the fourth year of King Darius’ reign. This detail is significant because it anchors the prophecy in a historical context, providing the readers with a reference point to understand the events that were unfolding during that period. King Darius was a Persian king who ruled over the region at the time, and his reign marked a period of captivity for the Israelites who had been exiled from their land.
The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech, along with their men, to entreat the favor of the Lord. This action reveals a sense of religious observance among the people, as they were seeking guidance and assistance from the Lord. The names Sharezer and Regemmelech are not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, but their actions in seeking the Lord’s favor show a desire for divine intervention in their lives.
It is important to note that Bethel was a significant religious site in Israel, often associated with the worship of false gods and idolatry. Despite this, the people of Bethel now turn to the Lord for help, indicating a shift in their spiritual posture. This change from idolatry to seeking the favor of the Lord highlights the theme of repentance and turning back to God, which is a consistent message throughout the Bible. These opening verses of Zechariah 7 serve as a prelude to the prophecy that follows, setting the stage for the message that Zechariah delivers to the people. It emphasizes the historical context, the religious actions of the people, and the theme of repentance, all of which are crucial elements in understanding the timeless messages of the Bible. This passage reminds us of the importance of seeking God’s guidance and turning back to Him in times of need, regardless of our past actions or circumstances.
Zechariah 7:4-7
The Lord of hosts in Zechariah 7:4-7 speaks to Zechariah, commanding the people of Bethel to inquire of the priests and prophets concerning a specific matter. The people ask the priests if they should continue to weep and fast in the fifth month as they have done for many years. This question stems from a tradition that had been observed for 70 years, commemorating the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The people wanted to know if they should continue this practice now that the temple was being rebuilt.
This passage highlights the importance of seeking guidance and direction from God through his appointed messengers. The people’s inquiry shows a desire to honor God and uphold their traditions, but they also demonstrate a willingness to seek clarity on how to proceed. It is a reminder that seeking spiritual counsel and understanding God’s will is crucial in our walk of faith.
The people’s question about fasting and weeping in the fifth month reveals a deeper theme of the true nature of fasting and rituals. God, through the prophet, responds by asking them a rhetorical question – was their fasting for God or themselves? He emphasizes that true obedience and worship are not fulfilled through mere external observances but through sincerity of heart and true devotion to God. This serves as a timeless message to believers that God values genuine worship that stems from a heart surrendered to Him rather than empty rituals performed without true faith. Fasting in the broader context of the Bible is often associated with repentance, seeking God’s guidance, and demonstrating humility before Him. We see examples of fasting in the Old Testament with figures like Moses, Elijah, and David, as well as in the New Testament with Jesus and his disciples. Jesus teaches about the sincerity of fasting in Matthew 6:16-18, emphasizing that it should be done in humility and as an offering to God, not for show or recognition from others. Believers are called to examine their motives behind their religious practices and rituals in Zechariah 7:4-7, reminding them that God desires authentic worship that stems from a heart devoted to Him. It challenges us to go beyond external observances and traditions and seek a true relationship with God based on faith, obedience, and love.
Zechariah 7:8-10
The Lord speaks through the prophet Zechariah in Zechariah 7:8-10 to address the people of Judah about their shallow religious practices. The Lord questions the people, saying, “And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.’”
This passage emphasizes the importance of living a life of genuine faith and obedience to God, rather than merely going through the motions of religious rituals. The Lord reminds the people through Zechariah that their outward actions must be accompanied by true justice, kindness, and compassion towards others. The call to render true judgments implies fairness and integrity in their dealings with one another, reflecting God’s righteous character.
Furthermore, the Lord specifically mentions groups of people who are often vulnerable and marginalized in society: widows, orphans, sojourners (foreigners), and the poor. God reinforces His concern for the oppressed and His expectation that His people would care for those in need by instructing the people not to oppress these groups. This command aligns with various other passages in the Bible that highlight the importance of caring for the marginalized and vulnerable members of society.
The Lord’s instruction to let none of them devise evil against another in their hearts also touches on the issue of inner purity and the state of one’s heart before God. This message goes beyond external actions and calls for genuine transformation from within. Jesus also emphasized the importance of inner righteousness in His teachings, such as in Matthew 5:8 when He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Zechariah 7:8-10 serves as a reminder to the people of Judah, and to readers today, that true religion involves more than external observances; it requires a heart that is aligned with God’s values of justice, kindness, and compassion towards others. It underscores the timeless message of living out one’s faith authentically and consistently in both actions and attitudes, reflecting the character of God to the world.
Zechariah 7:11-14
Zechariah delivers a message from the Lord to the Israelites concerning their obedience and devotion to God in Zechariah 7:11-14. Let’s break down these verses to gain a deeper understanding of their significance. The people of Israel in verse 11 are accused of refusing to heed God’s instructions and turning a stubborn shoulder, stopping their ears from listening to the law. This points to a recurring theme in the Bible, where the Israelites often disobeyed God and strayed from His commandments. The mention of a stubborn shoulder symbolizes resistance and defiance, showing how the Israelites were unwilling to submit to God’s will. This disobedience led to their downfall many times in history, highlighting the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God’s word.
Moving on to verse 12, it speaks of their refusal to listen and their hardening of their hearts like a diamond to prevent them from obeying the words that the Lord Almighty had sent through His Spirit by the earlier prophets. This verse highlights the Israelites’ persistent rejection of God’s guidance, even when delivered through His chosen messengers. Their hearts had become hardened, much like Pharaoh’s heart in the time of Moses, leading to dire consequences for the nation. This emphasizes the critical lesson of the danger of a hardened heart towards God’s word, as it can lead to spiritual blindness and separation from Him. The Lord Almighty mentioned in verse 13 called out to them, but they did not listen, so when they called out to Him, He would not listen. This reciprocal relationship illustrates the consequences of the Israelites’ disobedience. Their disregard for God’s commands meant that He, in turn, would not heed their cries when they faced trouble. This verse echoes the sentiment expressed in Proverbs 28:9, “If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.” It serves as a stern warning about the importance of obedience and the significance of a sincere and repentant heart before God.
Finally, in verse 14, the Lord scatters them among the nations that they did not know, and the land was left desolate behind them. This verse reflects the prophecy of the Lord’s judgment on Israel for their continued disobedience. The scattering of the people and the desolation of the land had been foretold by earlier prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel due to their unfaithfulness. This event came to pass with the Babylonian exile and later with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of forsaking God and the importance of remaining faithful to Him. Zechariah 7:11-14 delivers a powerful message about the implications of disobedience, the dangers of a hardened heart, and the consequences of ignoring God’s word. It underscores the timeless lesson of the need for obedience, humility, and repentance before the Lord, as well as the certainty of His judgment on those who persist in rebellion.
After Zechariah 7
The people had turned away from God, and their hearts had grown cold. They had forgotten the lessons of the past, and their worship had become empty and meaningless. But the Lord had not abandoned them. He was calling them back, inviting them to return to Him with all their hearts. The path ahead would not be easy, but the promise of restoration and redemption was there, if only they would heed the call. A sense of conviction began to stir within the people as they listened to the prophet’s words. They realized that their actions had consequences, and that true repentance was the only way forward. The next chapter would reveal the Lord’s plan for their restoration, a plan that would require their full commitment and obedience.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.