Zacarías 7

1 Y sucedió que en el año cuarto del rey Darío vino la palabra del SEÑOR a Zacarías el cuarto día del mes noveno, Quisleu.

2 La aldea de Betel había enviado a Sarezer, a Regem-melec y a sus hombres a implorar el favor del SEÑOR,

3 y a hablar a los sacerdotes que eran de la casa del SEÑOR de los ejércitos, y a los profetas, diciendo: ¿Debemos llorar en el mes quinto y abstenernos como lo hemos hecho durante tantos años?

4 Entonces vino a mí la palabra del SEÑOR de los ejércitos, diciendo:

5 Habla a todo el pueblo de la tierra y a los sacerdotes, y di: "Cuando ayunabais y os lamentabais en el quinto y el séptimo mes durante estos setenta años, ¿ayunabais en verdad por mí?

6 "Y cuando coméis y bebéis, ¿no coméis y bebéis para vosotros mismos?

7 "¿No son estas las palabras que el SEÑOR proclamó por medio de los antiguos profetas, cuando Jerusalén estaba habitada y próspera con sus ciudades a su alrededor, y el Neguev y la tierra baja estaban habitados?"

8 Entonces vino la palabra del SEÑOR a Zacarías, diciendo:

9 Así ha dicho el SEÑOR de los ejércitos: Juicio verdadero juzgad, y misericordia y compasión practicad cada uno con su hermano.

10 "No oprimáis a la viuda, al huérfano, al extranjero ni al pobre, ni traméis el mal en vuestros corazones unos contra otros."

11 Pero ellos rehusaron escuchar y volvieron la espalda rebelde y se taparon los oídos para no oír.

12 Y endurecieron sus corazones como el diamante para no oír la ley ni las palabras que el SEÑOR de los ejércitos había enviado por su Espíritu, por medio de los antiguos profetas; vino, pues, gran enojo de parte del SEÑOR de los ejércitos.

13 Y sucedió que, como yo había clamado y ellos no habían querido escuchar, así ellos clamaron y yo no quise escuchardice el SEÑOR de los ejércitos

14 sino que los dispersé en torbellino entre todas las naciones que no conocían. Y la tierra fue desolada tras ellos, sin que nadie fuera ni viniera; convirtieron la tierra deseable en desolación.

Zacarías 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.