Zacharie 7

1 La quatrième année du roi Darius, la parole de l'Eternel fut adressée à Zacharie, le quatrième jour du neuvième mois, qui est le mois de Kisleu.

2 On avait envoyé de Béthel Scharetser et Réguem-Mélec avec ses gens pour implorer l'Eternel,

3 et pour dire aux sacrificateurs de la maison de l'Eternel des armées et aux prophètes: Faut-il que je pleure au cinquième mois et que je fasse abstinence, comme je l'ai fait tant d'années?

4 La parole de l'Eternel des armées me fut adressée, en ces mots:

5 Dis à tout le peuple du pays et aux sacrificateurs: Quand vous avez jeûné et pleuré au cinquième et au septième mois, et cela depuis soixante-dix ans, est-ce pour moi que vous avez jeûné?

6 Et quand vous mangez et buvez, n'est-ce pas vous qui mangez et vous qui buvez?

7 Ne connaissez-vous pas les paroles qu'a proclamées l'Eternel par les premiers prophètes, lorsque Jérusalem était habitée et tranquille avec ses villes à l'entour, et que le midi et la plaine étaient habités?

8 La parole de l'Eternel fut adressée à Zacharie, en ces mots:

9 Ainsi parlait l'Eternel des armées: Rendez véritablement la justice, Et ayez l'un pour l'autre de la bonté et de la miséricorde.

10 N'opprimez pas la veuve et l'orphelin, l'étranger et le pauvre, Et ne méditez pas l'un contre l'autre le mal dans vos coeurs.

11 Mais ils refusèrent d'être attentifs, ils eurent l'épaule rebelle, et ils endurcirent leurs oreilles pour ne pas entendre.

12 Ils rendirent leur coeur dur comme le diamant, pour ne pas écouter la loi et les paroles que l'Eternel des armées leur adressait par son esprit, par les premiers prophètes. Ainsi l'Eternel des armées s'enflamma d'une grande colère.

13 Quand il appelait, ils n'ont pas écouté: aussi n'ai-je pas écouté, quand ils ont appelé, dit l'Eternel des armées.

14 Je les ai dispersés parmi toutes les nations qu'ils ne connaissaient pas; le pays a été dévasté derrière eux, il n'y a plus eu ni allants ni venants; et d'un pays de délices ils ont fait un désert.

Zacharie 7 Commentary

Chapter 7

The captives' inquiry respecting fasting. (1-7) Sin the cause of their captivity. (8-14)

Verses 1-7 If we truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we must not only consult his word and ministers, but seek his direction by fervent prayer. Those who would know God's mind should consult God's ministers; and, in doubtful cases, ask advice of those whose special business it is to search the Scriptures. The Jews seemed to question whether they ought to continue their fasts, seeing that the city and temple were likely to be finished. The first answer to their inquiry is a sharp reproof of hypocrisy. These fasts were not acceptable to God, unless observed in a better manner, and to better purpose. There was the form of duty, but no life, or soul, or power in it. Holy exercises are to be done to God, looking to his word as our rule, and his glory as our end, seeking to please him and obtain his favour; but self was the centre of all their actions. And it was not enough to weep on fast days; they should have searched the Scriptures of the prophets, that they might have seen what was the ground of God's controversy with their fathers. Whether people are in prosperity or adversity, they must be called upon to leave their sins, and to do their duty.

Verses 8-14 God's judgements upon Israel of old for their sins, were written to warn Christians. The duties required are, not keeping fasts and offering sacrifices, but doing justly and loving mercy, which tend to the public welfare and peace. The law of God lays restraint upon the heart. But they filled their minds with prejudices against the word of God. Nothing is harder than the heart of a presumptuous sinner. See the fatal consequences of this to their fathers. Great sins against the Lord of hosts, bring great wrath from his power, which cannot be resisted. Sin, if regarded in the heart, will certainly spoil the success of prayer. The Lord always hears the cry of the broken-hearted penitent; yet all who die impenitent and unbelieving, will find no remedy or refuge from miseries which while here they despised and defied, but which they then will not be able to bear.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 7

This chapter treats concerning the nature and use of certain fasts kept by the Jews, on account of the destruction of the temple, and other things; and concerning the message of the former prophets to them, and the effects of it. The occasion of the former was an embassy sent by the Jews to the priests and prophets, to know whether they should continue the fast of the fifth month; upon which the prophet was sent by the Lord unto them. The time of the prophecy is noted, Zec 7:1. An account of the embassy is given, of the persons that were sent, and to whom, and upon what account, Zec 7:2,3. The answer of the Lord to it by the prophet, showing the usefulness of fasts to him, and putting them upon hearkening to his voice by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was in great prosperity, Zec 7:4-7 and then they are exhorted by him, in the ministry of the present prophet, to acts of righteousness, several species of which are mentioned; and which were the same they had been exhorted to by the former prophets, but had neglected, and hardened their hearts against all exhortations and instructions, Zec 7:8-12 and were the reason of their captivity and desolation, Zec 7:13,14.