Zechariah 7:5

"Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted?

Study Bible

Ask all the people of the land and the priests
This phrase indicates a directive from God to Zechariah to address both the common people and the religious leaders. The inclusion of both groups emphasizes the universal nature of the message and the accountability of all societal levels. In the post-exilic period, the priests held significant influence in guiding the spiritual and communal life of the people. This call to inquiry suggests a need for introspection and communal reflection, highlighting the importance of sincerity in religious practices.

When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months
The fifth and seventh months refer to specific times of fasting and mourning observed by the Israelites. The fast in the fifth month commemorated the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, while the fast in the seventh month likely related to the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians, which led to further calamity for the Jewish remnant. These fasts were part of a broader tradition of lamentation and reflection on national tragedies. The historical context underscores the deep sense of loss and the desire for restoration that characterized the post-exilic community.

for these seventy years
The seventy years mentioned here refer to the period of Babylonian exile, a time of punishment and purification for the people of Israel due to their disobedience and idolatry. This timeframe aligns with the prophecy given by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12), which foretold the duration of the exile. The completion of these seventy years marked a significant turning point, as the people returned to their land and began rebuilding the Temple, symbolizing a new era of hope and renewal.

was it really for Me that you fasted?
This rhetorical question challenges the sincerity and motivation behind the people's religious observances. It calls into question whether their fasting was genuinely directed towards God or merely a ritualistic practice devoid of true devotion. This echoes the prophetic theme found in Isaiah 58:3-7, where God critiques superficial religious acts that lack justice and compassion. The inquiry serves as a reminder that true worship involves heartfelt obedience and a genuine relationship with God, rather than mere external observance.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Zechariah
A prophet who ministered to the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages to encourage the rebuilding of the temple and spiritual renewal.

2. The People of the Land
Refers to the Jewish community that returned from exile and were involved in rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple.

3. The Priests
Religious leaders responsible for temple worship and guiding the people in spiritual matters.

4. Fasting in the Fifth and Seventh Months
These fasts commemorated the destruction of the temple and other calamities during the Babylonian conquest.

5. Seventy Years
The period of Babylonian exile, during which the Jewish people were away from their homeland and the temple lay in ruins.

Teaching Points

True Worship and Intentions
God desires sincerity in worship. Our religious practices, like fasting, should be done with the right heart and intention, focusing on God rather than mere ritual.

Self-Examination
Regularly examine your motives in spiritual disciplines. Are they for God's glory or for personal or social gain?

Historical Reflection and Spiritual Growth
Reflect on past spiritual practices and their impact. Use historical lessons to grow in genuine faith and devotion.

Community and Leadership Accountability
Both the people and leaders are accountable to God. Encourage mutual accountability in spiritual practices within your community.

Aligning Rituals with Righteousness
Ensure that religious rituals align with a life of righteousness and justice, as God values these over mere tradition.

Bible Study Questions

1. What were the original purposes of the fasts in the fifth and seventh months, and how might they have lost their meaning over time?

2. How can we ensure that our spiritual practices today are genuinely for God and not just for tradition or appearance?

3. In what ways can we apply the lessons from Zechariah 7:5 to our understanding of worship and religious observance?

4. How does the message in Zechariah 7:5 challenge us to reflect on our personal and communal spiritual disciplines?

5. What parallels can we draw between the message in Zechariah 7:5 and Jesus' teachings on fasting in the New Testament? How can these insights shape our approach to fasting and other spiritual practices?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 58
This chapter discusses the true nature of fasting, emphasizing that genuine fasting is not just about abstaining from food but involves righteous living and caring for others.

Matthew 6:16-18
Jesus teaches about fasting, highlighting the importance of sincerity and doing it for God rather than for human recognition.

1 Samuel 15:22
This verse emphasizes that obedience to God is more important than ritual sacrifices, paralleling the message in Zechariah about the heart behind religious practices.