Chapter 7

1 The captives enquire of fasting. 4 Zechariah reproveth their fasting. 8 Sin the cause of their captivity.

1. It came to pass. Verses 1–3 tell of a delegation from Bethel (see on v. 2) to inquire whether the fast commemorating Jerusalem’s calamity should still be kept.

Fourth year. The date here given may be calculated as approximately Dec. 7, 518 b.c. (see Vol. III, p. 99), about two years after the previous visions had been given (ch. 1:1, 7). Since in about two years more the Temple was finished (see Ezra 6:15), the work of rebuilding was doubtless well advanced. The priests were already “in the house of the Lord” (see Zech. 7:3). Because of this optimistic prospect the question naturally arose as to whether a fast instituted under sorrowful conditions should still be observed.

Darius. Darius I (see Vol. III, pp. 70–72).

2. The house of God. Heb. bethРХel, which may be translated, “Bethel.” The opening part of the verse reads literally, “and Bethel sent,” meaning, probably, “they of Bethel sent.”

Sherezer. A Babylonian name corresponding to the Akkadian SharРusur. A son and murderer of Sennacherib bore this name (2 Kings 19:37). The foreign name indicates that Sherezer was born in exile.

Their men. Presumably the deputies’ assistants.

To pray. From the Heb. chalah, “to become weak,” “to become ill.” However, in the form here found the word is used in a good sense, as to soften by patting the face, to put in a gentle mood; and so follows the meaning, “to make one pleasant.” The phrase may be translated “to entreat God’s favor.”

3. Priests. These were to be interpreters of the Law (see Haggai 2:11).

In the house. See on v. 1.

Prophets. Doubtless Haggai and Zechariah and probably others.

Should I weep? The fast (see v. 5) here referred to commemorated the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in the fifth month, 586 b.c. (2 Kings 25:8, 9; Jer. 52:12–14). See on ch. 8:19.

Separating myself. That is, abstaining from food and pleasures.

4. Word of the Lord. The answer is given in several parts, each introduced by this characteristic formula (see v. 8; ch. 8:1).

5. All the people. The answer was of concern to all, not to those of Bethel only.

Seventh month. According to tradition this fast commemorated the murder of Gedaliah (see 2 Kings 25:22–26).

Seventy years. From 586 b.c., the year of the destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1–4), to the present date (see on Zech. 7:1) was approximately 70 years (see Vol. III, pp. 99, 100). That is, if reckoned by a fall-to-fall year, it was 587/586 to 518/517, 70 years inclusive (see Vol. III, p. 99).

Unto me. The fasts were a human invention and fulfilled no divine command. Evidently they were not prompted by true repentance for the sins that had brought destruction to the city and country.

6. For yourselves. That is, apart from thought of God (see 1 Cor. 11:17–22).

7. Should ye not hear? The opening part of the verse should probably be rendered as in the LXX, “Are not these the words?” Repeatedly “the former prophets” had warned against putting confidence in the observance of outward ceremonies alone (1 Sam. 15:22; Prov. 21:3; etc.).

In prosperity. The contrast between the Israelites’ former prosperity and their present low estate was a sad reminder of what they had lost through disobedience.

South. Negeb (see on Joshua 15:19).

Plain. The Shephelah (see on Joshua 15:33). The Negeb and the Shephelah formed two of the three parts of Judea, the third being “the mountainous” region about Jerusalem (see on Judges 1:9).

9. Execute true judgment. The prophet enumerates various aspects of moral righteousness such as had been frequently enjoined (see Ex. 23:6–8; Isa. 32:7; Jer. 22:3; Micah 2:1, 2).

10. Oppress not. See Ex. 22:22–24; Deut. 10:18, 19; Jer. 7:5, 6; Isa. 58:5–7.

11. Pulled away the shoulder. As an ox that shies away from a yoke being placed upon its neck (see Neh. 9:29; Hosea 4:16).

Stopped their ears. They were altogether indifferent to the will of God.

12. Adamant stone. Heb. shamir, a stone of great hardness, possibly emery (see on Eze. 3:9). A heart of stone is unimpressionable. The strongest appeals awakened no response. The action was deliberate, an act of the will. “They made their hearts.”

Law. Heb. torah, “instruction” (see on Prov. 3:1).

13. He cried. That is, the Lord. The severe chastisements that befell the people might have been avoided. When it became evident that the discipline of the Exile would be necessary in order to effect moral reform, cries for removal of the chastisement went unheeded (see PK 292; Isa. 65:12–14; 66:4).

14. I scattered them. Disobedience and apostasy resulted in the Babylonian captivity.

They knew not. Compare Deut. 28:33, 49; Jer. 16:13.

Desolate. See Jer. 9:9–16.

Pleasant land. See Deut. 8:7–10; Ps. 106:24; Jer. 3:19; Eze. 20:6.

Ellen G. White comments

8–146T 460

9, 10    PK 704