by asking the priests of the house of the LORD of Hosts, as well as the prophets, "Should I weep and fast in the fifth month, as I have done these many years?" Sermons
I. There are NATIONAL FASTS. These are rare, and only appointed under very solemn circumstances. In 1853, when cholera prevailed, the Presbytery of Edinburgh (Church of Scotland) suggested to Lord Palmerston, then Home Secretary, the propriety of ordering a national fast. His lordship, in his reply, recommended observance of natural laws rather than fasting. If this were attended to, all would be well. Otherwise pestilence would come, "in spite of all the prayers and lastings of a united but inactive nation. He does not seem to have understood that the two things were quite compatible. Prayer and inaction is folly; but prayer and action is the highest wisdom. Surely there is something grand and beautiful in a whole nation bowed in humility and supplication before the Most High. (Buckle, vol. 2, has a characteristic notice of this, where he falls into the odd mistake that in Scotland fasting" meant abstinence from food!) II. Then there are CHURCH FASTS. These are only binding on the members of the several Churches that appoint them. In Scotland it has for long been customary to have fast days in connection with the sacrament of the Lord's Supper; but as to this there is now a change. First their enforcement under penalties ceased; then the rigour of their observance was given up; then, from the necessities of modern life, and the knowledge that they were often the occasion of more evil than good, they have come in ninny cases to be discontinued. The question is one of Christian expediency, and requires to be dealt with both with wisdom and gentleness. III. Besides these there is PRIVATE FASTING. As to this, no rule can be laid down (cf. Romans 14:5, 6). But certain principles should be kept in view, such as that fasting has no virtue in itself; that what may be good for one Christian may not suit another; and that the great end of all such observances is spiritual good, "room to deny ourselves," a path "to bring us daily nearer God." - F.
I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts I. THE NEGLIGENCE OF MEN.1. They do not hear the dispensations of God in His providence. 2. They do not hear the invitations of God by His servants. 3. They do not hear the commands of God in His Word. II. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD. 1. He will not hear the cry of the lost, as expressive of regret. 2. He will not hear the cry of the lost, as expressive of disappointment. 3. He will not hear the cry of the lost, as expressive of fear. 4. He will not hear the cry of the lost, as expressive of despair. (G. Brooks.) People Darius, Melech, Regem, Regemmelech, Sharezer, Sherezer, ZechariahPlaces Bethel, JerusalemTopics Abstain, Almighty, Armies, Belong, Fast, Fifth, Hosts, Month, Mourn, Myself, Past, Priests, Prophets, Saying, Separated, Separating, Speak, Speaking, Weep, WeepingOutline 1. The captives enquire concerning the set fasts.4. Zechariah reproves the hypocrisy of their fasting. 8. Sin the cause of their captivity. Dictionary of Bible Themes Zechariah 7:1-5Library Sad Fasts Changed to Glad Feasts"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace."--Zechariah 8:19 MY time for discourse upon this subject will be limited, as we shall gather around the communion-table immediately afterwards. So in the former part of my sermon I shall give you an outline of what might be said upon the text if we had … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892 "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee," A Discourse of Mercifulness "To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord," "There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. " Extent of Atonement. Zechariah Links Zechariah 7:3 NIVZechariah 7:3 NLT Zechariah 7:3 ESV Zechariah 7:3 NASB Zechariah 7:3 KJV Zechariah 7:3 Bible Apps Zechariah 7:3 Parallel Zechariah 7:3 Biblia Paralela Zechariah 7:3 Chinese Bible Zechariah 7:3 French Bible Zechariah 7:3 German Bible Zechariah 7:3 Commentaries Bible Hub |