If God is all-knowing, why would Zechariah 7:5–6 question whether the people were sincerely fasting for Him?

Historical and Literary Context

Zechariah 7:5–6 speaks of the people’s practice of fasting and mourning during the fifth and seventh months:

“Ask all the people of the land and the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves?’”

This passage occurs after some Jews returned from the Babylonian exile and began rebuilding the temple (Zechariah 1–6). The people had been fasting to remember tragic events in their history, yet they grew uncertain whether those observances should continue now that restoration was underway. God’s response, delivered through Zechariah, shifts the focus from simply continuing a ritual to questioning the true intention behind it.

Divine Omniscience and Rhetorical Questions

A central question arises: If God is all-knowing, why would He ask whether the people were sincerely fasting for Him? Scriptural examples (e.g., Genesis 3:9; Job 38:4) often show God asking questions not to gain information—He already possesses that—but to prompt self-examination.

• God’s question in Zechariah 7:5–6 is rhetorical, meant to illuminate the people’s motives.

• The omniscient Creator does not lack knowledge; rather, the question reveals the condition of the worshipers’ hearts.

• By confronting them, God invites them to recognize whether their fasts were genuine acts of devotion or merely outward traditions.

Purpose of the Question

1. Self-Reflection and Repentance

Throughout Scripture, divine questions highlight areas where people need to repent and realign with God’s commandments (cf. Isaiah 29:13, “Their hearts are far from Me…”). When God inquires about their fasting, He is effectively saying: “Examine yourselves and see whether what you do is for My glory or merely for your own habit and preference.”

2. Exposure of Hypocrisy

Religious routines can degenerate into empty ritualism if hearts are not engaged. This is reminiscent of God’s message to Israel in Isaiah 58, where He chastises superficial fasting while the people neglect justice and mercy. Zechariah’s contemporaries might have been continuing fasts they had observed in exile, but ironically they could have done so without genuine devotion.

3. The Call to Holistic Worship

God calls for total obedience and commitment that includes justice, kindness, and humility (Zechariah 7:9–10). Asking a probing question exposes the difference between mere outward forms and inward dedication.

Sincerity in Worship

True worship involves both reverence and wholeheartedness. The question in Zechariah 7:5–6 is echoed by passages such as 1 Samuel 16:7, where the LORD “looks at the heart,” and John 4:24, where worship must be “in spirit and in truth.” Fasting, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines are commendable only when performed out of genuine devotion rather than ritualistic obligation.

The Heart Behind Fasting

1. Devotion Over Ritual

God’s intent is not to discourage fasting but to ensure that the heart is right. The external act should coincide with internal sincerity. Growing in love for God and neighbor is the ultimate test of piety.

2. Reflection on God’s Character

Over and over, Scripture reminds believers that worship should mirror awareness of God’s holiness, love, and mercy. Such godly traits must be evident in how people treat one another.

3. A Post-Exilic Lesson

The return from Babylon signified God’s faithfulness. Yet with freedom came the temptation to drift into shallow religion again. Zechariah’s message stood to realign the returning community’s focus on genuine worship rather than hollow custom.

Rhetorical Questions in the Prophets

The prophetic books often use rhetorical questions as tools of instruction and correction:

• Hosea 6:6 – “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice…”

• Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O man, what is good…”

In each case, the question or statement confronts complacency and highlights the central call to love and obedience. God’s question in Zechariah 7:5–6 fits into this typical prophetic pattern, pressing the people to consider whether they truly honor Him.

Behavioral and Philosophical Perspective

From a behavioral standpoint, actions flow from the inner person. God’s questioning nudges conscious awareness of motives. Philosophically, it underscores an important dynamic of human responsibility: Individuals may go through spiritual actions, but only genuine intent aligns them with divine purposes.

Archaeological and Historical Support

Archaeological evidence attests to Jewish life in Babylon during exile—tablets and documents reveal that exiled communities maintained their religious traditions, including fasts. Upon returning, these same traditions lingered. While historical documents confirm such observances, Scripture clarifies that preservation of traditions without heartfelt devotion can become spiritually meaningless (cf. the basis of ritual in 2 Kings 25:9–12 and the subsequent reasons for fasting).

Key Takeaways

• God Knows the Motives: He does not question to learn something new; He questions to bring about self-awareness and repentance.

• Purpose of Fasting: It should be a demonstration of humility and devotion, remembering God’s works and trusting in His promises.

• Holistic Faith: Outward acts must be matched by inward sincerity, emphasizing justice, love, and obedience.

• Covenant Relationship: God’s questions weave into His covenant faithfulness, reminding the people that their existence and practices must reflect His character and honor His name.

Conclusion

Zechariah 7:5–6 encapsulates a profound dynamic between human ritual and divine omniscience. God’s question about the people’s fasting does not imply ignorance on His part but serves as an invitation for reflection and spiritual renewal.

Throughout Scripture, God consistently directs hearts away from mere formality and toward a relationship marked by truth, love, and genuine devotion. He desires worshipers who fast and pray with authenticity, offering hearts wholly devoted to Him. Questions in the prophetic tradition are purposeful—they provoke meaningful introspection, calling people to align their motivations with the gracious and almighty God who sees far beyond outward activities.