ZECHARIAH 7:1 From Fasts to Feasts. This section mentions fasts that commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem, which will be transformed into feasts celebrating its renewal. The renewal gives the people another chance to exhibit a society of justice and love, and to be the means by which light comes... [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 7:2 The weeping and fasting described here were rituals intended to show repentance in the hope of gaining help from the Lord (see 2 Samuel 12:21). Now that the temple was being rebuilt, it was natural to question whether this ritual was still needed. The FIFTH MONTH was... [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 7:7 The SOUTH is the area to the south of Jerusalem, around Beersheba. The LOWLAND is to the west of Jerusalem. Though the original question reflected a ritual concern, the Lord’s response asks a deeper question: “When you fasted and mourned, was it really out of a concer... [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 7:9 The test of true repentance is a life of obedience to God. Obedience includes giving TRUE JUDGMENTS that SHOW KINDNESS AND MERCY to the WIDOW and FATHERLESS, the SOJOURNER and the POOR. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 7:12 THE LAW AND THE WORDS of the FORMER PROPHETS were the two means God used to communicate his will to his people. Yet earlier generations “refused to pay attention” (v. Zechariah 7:11), thus causing his anger (Zechariah 1:2). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 7:14 The Lord’s judgment came upon his people like a WHIRLWIND. It scattered them among NATIONS THAT THEY HAD NOT KNOWN and made them as vulnerable as the people they had oppressed. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length,... [ Continue Reading ]