Matthew Henry Commentary Zechariah 7
Matthew Henry Commentary
Zechariah 7
Matthew Henry Commentary
Zechariah 7
"And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of Jehovah came unto Zechariah in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, even in Chislev. Now [they of] Beth-el had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to entreat the favor of Jehovah, [and] to speak unto the priests of the house of Jehovah of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? Then came the word of Jehovah of hosts unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh [month], even these seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? And when ye eat, and when ye drink, do not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? [Should ye] not [hear] the words which Jehovah cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?" — Zechariah 7:1-7 (ASV)
If we truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we must not only consult his word and ministers, but also seek his direction through fervent prayer. Those who would know God's mind should consult God's ministers; and, in doubtful cases, ask advice from those whose special business it is to search the Scriptures. The Jews seemed to question whether they ought to continue their fasts, since 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 they were observed in a better manner and for a better purpose. There was the form of duty, but no life, soul, or power in it. Holy exercises are to be done for 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, so 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.
"And the word of Jehovah came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus hath Jehovah of hosts spoken, saying, Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother; and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the sojourner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which Jehovah of hosts had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets: therefore there came great wrath from Jehovah of hosts. And it is come to pass that, as he cried, and they would not hear, so they shall cry, and I will not hear, said Jehovah of hosts; but I will scatter them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they have not known. Thus the land was desolate after them, so that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate." — Zechariah 7:8-14 (ASV)
God's judgments upon Israel in the past 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 contribute to the public welfare and peace. The law of God restrains 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 for 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 they despised and defied while here, but which they will then be unable to bear.
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