Zechariah - Chapter 7

Zechariah 7.1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu; Zechariah 7.2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, Zechariah 7.3 And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? Zechariah 7.4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, Zechariah 7.5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? Zechariah 7.6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? Zechariah 7.7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? Zechariah 7.8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, Zechariah 7.9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: Zechariah 7.10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. Zechariah 7.11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Zechariah 7.12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 7.13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: Zechariah 7.14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

Zechariah : Chapter 7

Reflections on Zechariah 7 and True Fasting

Chapter 7 of the Book of Zechariah raises fundamental questions about the authenticity of ritual fasting. What does God really expect of His people? This thought-provoking text invites us to reflect on the true meaning of fasting, highlighting the importance of justice and mercy, compared to rituals that can be meaningless.

Warnings from the Prophets

This chapter recalls the warnings of previous prophets, as well as the consequences of disobedience. Zechariah 7 explores essential themes such as true worship, obedience of the heart, and social responsibility.

Enlightening Bible Passages

Let's reflect together on five biblical passages that illuminate the enduring principles of this provocative chapter.

Isaiah 58:6-7

"Is not this the fast that I desire: to loosen the chains of injustice, to undo the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry, to shelter the defenseless poor, to clothe those whom you find naked, and not to withhold help from your neighbor ?" This passage from Isaiah resonates deeply with the theme of Zechariah 7, exposing the true nature of fasting and worship that God desires.

Matthew 23:23

"Woe to you, lawyers and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, but have neglected the weightier precepts of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. You must do these things and not fail to do them." In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the paramount importance of justice and mercy, echoing the message of Zechariah 7.

Micah 6:8

"He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires: to do justice, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah thus summarizes what God truly expects of us, in perfect harmony with the message of Zechariah 7 on true worship.

Jeremiah 7:5-7

"If you truly change your ways and your doings and treat one another fairly, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, if you do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods for your own destruction, then I will let them live in this place, in the land I gave to their ancestors forever." Jeremiah here emphasizes the importance of social justice, a central theme of Zechariah 7.

Amos 5:24

"But let justice roll down like a river, and righteousness like an everlasting stream!" Amos reminds us of the importance of ongoing justice, reflecting Zechariah 7's call for a genuine change of heart.

Meditating on these passages, we are invited to examine our own practice of faith, question the sincerity of our worship, and commit ourselves to living according to God's principles of justice and mercy.