Zechariah 7:8
And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Zechariah 7:8
And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse, though seemingly a simple introduction, highlights how God's message often arrives not as a brand new decree, but as a divine echo, calling the prophet to revisit and re-emphasize His unchanging word from the past. It underscores that divine communication isn't always about novelty, but about the persistent relevance of God’s foundational truths.
A delegation from the returned exiles has arrived, asking if their ritual fasts should continue now that they are back in their homeland. God's response, delivered through Zechariah, doesn't directly answer their question about fasting. Instead, it recalls the words of earlier prophets, reminding them that true faithfulness isn't just about religious observance, but about justice, mercy, and compassion in their everyday lives.
Have you ever felt like you're talking, but no one's listening? That's how it can feel when we ignore God's clear messages. But God's Word, once spoken, is never truly lost.
This verse is a simple statement: "And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying." It might seem plain, but it carries incredible weight. It means that despite the people's unfaithfulness and the people of the land's internal struggles (as Calvin notes), God's message didn't stop.
A Direct Connection
This phrase, "the word of the LORD came," is how God’s prophets often received His messages. It signifies a direct, authoritative communication from the Almighty Himself. It wasn't Zechariah's idea or a human suggestion; it was divine instruction.
Not Lost, Just Ignored
Even though the people of that time were prone to 'dissimulation' and 'evil practices,' as Calvin points out, God's word was still present, still calling them back. It’s a reminder that God is persistent. He speaks, and though we can choose to ignore it, the word itself endures, waiting to be heard.
Fasting, sacrifice, religious rites – these can become hollow performances. What does God truly look for from us?
The context surrounding Zechariah 7:8 (verses 4-7 and following) reveals a people observing fasts, likely seeking divine favor or answers about their practices. However, as the commentaries highlight, God wasn't impressed with the outward show if the inner life was corrupt.
Beyond the Ceremony
Calvin makes it clear: God 'regards not fastings, except they proceed from a sincere feeling and tend to a right and lawful end.' The fasts were performed, but the people were 'beguiled' and 'full of deceits,' neglecting 'true religion' and 'integrity of life.'
The Core Requirements
God's message, delivered through Zechariah, points to what truly matters: 'Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother' (Zechariah 7:9). This isn't about a specific religious observance like fasting; it's about the fundamental principles of justice, kindness, and compassion in our relationships. As Henry notes, these duties 'tend to the public welfare and peace.'
Zechariah's message comes at a pivotal moment after the return from exile, as the people grapple with their identity and relationship with God. The inquiry about fasting highlights a tension between remembering past suffering and embracing present restoration, prompting God to redirect their focus from ritual to righteousness.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its inhabitants. This event serves as a stark warning of divine judgment for disobedience.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and thousands of Jewish elites, including Ezekiel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple, completing the exile of Judah. This catastrophic event signifies the deepest point of national despair and divine judgment.
c. 520 BC— this verse
Rebuilding of the Temple Begins
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the encouragement of prophets like Haggai and Zechariah, the returned exiles begin rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
This passage echoes the message to the people of Judah, warning them about their wrongdoings and the consequences, similar to how Zechariah is sent to confront their current spiritual neglect.
Ezekiel 20:3-4Here, Ezekiel is also tasked with confronting the elders of Israel about their past sins and disobedience, highlighting a recurring pattern of God addressing His people through prophets when they stray.
Haggai 1:1This verse, like Zechariah 7:8, marks the direct reception of God's word by a prophet, signaling the beginning of a new message from the Lord to His people after their return from exile.
Matthew 23:23Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness while focusing on tithing directly parallels Zechariah's message that outward religious acts are empty without inward righteousness.
calvinZechariah 7:4-9: "Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"
Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?
Annon ad sermones quos clamavit Iehova in manu prophetarum priorum, quum esset Ierusalem quieta et opulenta (vel, quieta et tranquilla; diximus enim alibi de hac voce [ysvt] et urbes ejus per circuitus eju…
pulpitZechariah 7:8: "And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"
Verses 8-14. - § 8. The people are further reminded that they had been disobedient in old time, and had been punished by exile. Verse 8. - Unto Zechariah. The prophet speaks of himself in the third person, as in Zechariah 1:1. A further explanation of God's answer is next given. Some critics suppose that this verse is an interpolation, and that vers. 9, 10 are "the words" referred to in ver. 7.
This verse, though seemingly a simple introduction, highlights how God's message often arrives not as a brand new decree, but as a divine echo, calling the prophet to revisit and re-emphasize His unchanging word from the past. It underscores that divine communication isn't always about novelty, but about the persistent relevance of God’s foundational truths.
A delegation from the returned exiles has arrived, asking if their ritual fasts should continue now that they are back in their homeland. God's response, delivered through Zechariah, doesn't directly answer their question about fasting. Instead, it recalls the words of earlier prophets, reminding them that true faithfulness isn't just about religious observance, but about justice, mercy, and compassion in their everyday lives.
A delegation from the returned exiles has arrived, asking if their ritual fasts should continue now that they are back in their homeland. God's response, delivered through Zechariah, doesn't directly answer their question about fasting. Instead, it recalls the words of earlier prophets, reminding them that true faithfulness isn't just about religious observance, but about justice, mercy, and compassion in their everyday lives.
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c. 470 BC
The Query About Fasts
Delegates from Bethel arrive in Jerusalem to inquire whether the fasts observed during the exile (like the one in the fifth month commemorating the Temple's destruction) should continue now that the Temple is being rebuilt.
"And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying," — This verse, though seemingly a simple introduction, highlights how God's message often arrives not as a brand new decree, but as a divine echo, calling the prophet to revisit and re-emphasize His unc…