Zacharie 7

1 La quatrième année du roi Darius, la parole de l'Éternel fut adressée à Zacharie, le quatrième jour du neuvième mois, du mois de Kisleu;

2 Lorsqu'on eut envoyé à la maison de Dieu Sharetser et Réguem-Mélec, et ses gens, pour supplier l'Éternel,

3 Et pour parler aux sacrificateurs de la maison de l'Éternel des armées, et aux prophètes, en ces mots: Dois-je pleurer au cinquième mois, et faire abstinence, comme je l'ai fait pendant tant d'années?

4 Et la parole de l'Éternel des armées me fut adressée en ces mots:

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

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

7 Ne sont-ce pas les paroles que faisait entendre l'Éternel par les premiers prophètes, lorsque Jérusalem était habitée et tranquille, elle et ses villes autour d'elle, et que le midi et la plaine étaient habités?

8 Puis la parole de l'Éternel fut adressée à Zacharie, en ces mots:

9 Ainsi avait dit l'Éternel des armées: Rendez la justice avec vérité, exercez la miséricorde et la compassion, chacun envers son frère;

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

11 Mais ils n'ont pas voulu écouter; ils ont tiré l'épaule en arrière; ils ont appesanti leurs oreilles pour ne pas entendre;

12 Ils ont rendu leur cœur dur comme un diamant, pour ne pas entendre la loi et les paroles que l'Éternel des armées leur adressait par son Esprit, par les premiers prophètes; et il y eut une grande indignation de la part de l' Éternel des armées.

13 Et comme ils n'ont pas écouté lorsqu'il a crié, de même quand ils ont crié je n'ai point écouté, a dit l'Éternel des armées.

14 Je les ai chassés par la tempête vers toutes les nations qu'ils ne connaissaient point, et derrière eux le pays est resté désert, sans allants ni venants, et du pays de délices ils ont fait une désolation.

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.