CRITICAL NOTES.] The Didactic part. Replies to questions relative to fasts observed by the Jews, but which they supposed no longer binding after restoration to prosperity. Fourth] Two years, nearly, after the foundation of the temple was laid (Haggai 2:10-18), and nearly two years before it was finished. Chisleu] Corresponding with part of November and part of December. “The end of B. C. 518” [Pusey].
Zechariah 7:2. House of God] here a rendering for Bethel. Unto] A word for which there is no corresponding Hebrew. Bethel is construed by most as nominative to the verb, and the translation given, “When Bethel (i.e. the inhabitants of that city) sent Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men” as an embassy to Jerusalem. Pray] Lit. to entreat the face of, i.e. to seek and conciliate the favour of Jehovah, to obtain a Divine answer to their inquiry.
Zechariah 7:3. Weep] They fasted and mourned in captivity, on account of the ruins of the temple. Why fast now when the city and temple are being restored? Separating] by vow of consecration, sanctifying oneself by separating from defilement and food, as in solemn fast (cf. Joel 2:16).
Zechariah 7:4. Word] of reproof for the method and spirit in which they fasted.
Zechariah 7:5. All] The answer given not only to those who put the question, but to the people at large. Fasted] in fifth month in remembrance of the burning of the temple; in seventh to commemorate the murder of Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. To me] Fasting alien from God and for selfish ends.
Zechariah 7:6. Did] ye not eat and drink in self-indulgence? Neither in feasting nor fasting had they any regard for Jehovah; all was done for self-interest.
Zechariah 7:7. Words] of former prophets threatened a curse upon hypocrisy and disobedience, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous. The lessons of former teachers had been verified in the nation’s history; they should heed the warning.
HOMILETICS
PAST WARNINGS AND PRESENT JUDGMENTS.—Zechariah 7:7
The former prophets taught the worthlessness of fasting, when God was forgotten and the weightier matters of the law disregarded. If the Jews had listened to the messages, the evils which they were suffering would not have come upon them. Belief that fasting could obtain the favour of God overthrew the nation. Hence take warning—
I. Israel had been warned in the past. “The Lord hath cried by the former prophets.” God declares his will loudly and sufficiently in his word, but men disregard the trumpet-call.
1. Warned by various messengers. Zechariah was not the first prophet; they had been warned by every prophet whom Jehovah had sent.
2. Warned in different periods. Warnings were not only addressed to them in adversity, when men should “consider,” but in prosperity, when they should humble themselves before God to save themselves from the punishment of pride and rebellion; when Jerusalem was inhabited in prosperity. God tells us beforehand, arranges “one over against another,” that we may rightly chose and have no excuse for our sin (Ecclesiastes 7:14).
II. If past warnings had been regarded present punishment might have been avoided. “Should ye not hear the words?” Should men disregard the Scriptures and have no concern for their own salvation and the interests of the nation? Too often the admonitions of ministers are disregarded by those flushed with prosperity. The Jews before and after the captivity failed to learn from their fathers, and had to mourn for their country. “Study the past, if you would divine the future” [Confucius].
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 7
Zechariah 7:1-6. God or self—Which? A certain king had a minstrel, and he bade him play before him. It was a day of high feasting; the cups were flowing, and many great guests were assembled. The minstrel laid his fingers among the strings of his harp, and woke them all to the sweetest melody, but the hymn was to the glory of himself. It was a celebration of the exploits of song which the bard had himself performed. He had excelled high Howell’s harp, and emulated great Llewellyn’s lay. In high-sounding strains he sang of himself and all his glories. When the feast was over, the harper said to the monarch, “Oh king, give me my guerdon; let the minstrel’s mede be paid.” And the king said, “Thou hast sung unto thyself; pay thyself: thine own praises were thy theme; be thyself the paymaster.” He cried, “Did I not sing sweetly? O king, give me the gold!” But the king replied, “So much the worse for thy pride that thou shouldst lavish such sweetness upon thyself.” If a man should grow grey-headed in the performance of good works, yet when at last it is known that he has done it all to himself, his Lord will say, “Thou hast done well enough in the eyes of man, but so much the worse, because thou didst it only to thyself, that thine own praises might be sung, and that thine own name might be extolled. [Spurgeon].
Zechariah 7:7. Not hear. There is a story which tells of a bell which was suspended upon a rock of the ocean dangerous to navigation. The waves of the ocean beating upon it caused it to give a noise of warning to keep off the approaching mariner. It is said that at one time some pirates destroyed the bell to prevent the warning. Not long after these very pirates struck upon this rock and were lost. How many hush or remove the voice of warning from the point of danger, who as soon as the warning ceases founder upon the rock of temptation and are lost for ever [MeCosh].