Zacarias 7

Justicia y misericordia en lugar de ayuno

1 En el cuarto año del reinado del rey Darío, en el día cuatro del mes noveno, que es el mes de quisleu, la palabra del SEÑOR vino a Zacarías.

2 El pueblo de Betel había enviado a Sarézer y a Reguen Mélec, y a sus hombres, a buscar el favor del SEÑOR

3 y a preguntarles a los sacerdotes de la casa del SEÑORTodopoderoso y a los profetas: «¿Debemos observar en el quinto mes un día de duelo y abstinencia, tal como lo hemos hecho todos estos años?»

4 Vino entonces a mí esta palabra de parte del SEÑOR Todopoderoso:

5 «Dile a todo el pueblo de la tierra,y también a los sacerdotes:“Cuando ustedes ayunaban y se lamentabanen los meses quinto y séptimode los últimos setenta años,¿realmente ayunaban por mí?

6 Y cuando ustedes comen y beben,¿acaso no lo hacen para sí mismos?”»

7 ¿No son estas las palabrasque por medio de los antiguos profetasel SEÑOR mismo proclamócuando Jerusalén y las ciudades cercanasestaban habitadas y tenían paz,cuando el Néguev y las llanuras del oestetambién estaban habitadas?

8 La palabra del SEÑOR vino de nuevo a Zacarías. Le advirtió:

9 «Así dice el SEÑOR Todopoderoso:»“Juzguen con verdadera justicia;muestren amor y compasiónlos unos por los otros.

10 No opriman a las viudas ni a los huérfanos,ni a los extranjeros ni a los pobres.No maquinen el mal en su corazónlos unos contra los otros”.

11 »Pero ellos se negaron a hacer caso. Desafiantes volvieron la espalda, y se taparon los oídos.

12 Para no oír las instrucciones ni las palabras que por medio de los antiguos profetas el SEÑOR Todopoderoso había enviado con su Espíritu, endurecieron su corazón como el diamante. Por lo tanto, el SEÑOR Todopoderoso se llenó de ira.

13 “Como no me escucharon cuando los llamé, tampoco yo los escucharé cuando ellos me llamen —dice el SEÑOR Todopoderoso—.

14 Como con un torbellino, los dispersé entre todas las naciones que no conocían. La tierra que dejaron quedó tan desolada que nadie siquiera pasaba por ella. Fue así como convirtieron en desolación la tierra que antes era una delicia”».

Zacarias 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.