View Zechariah 7 in the note window.
In answer to a question concerning fasting, the prophet reproves them
for the mismanagement of their fasts, ver. 1 - 7.
Exhorts them to reform their lives, ver. 8 - 14.
2: When they - The captives who still continued in Babylon.
The house of God - The temple, which now half built began to be
frequented. Regem - melech - It appears not who these were, but no
doubt they were eminent in dignity and piety. Their men - The train
of friends that accompanied them. To pray - To intreat the Lord for
pardon of what was past, acceptance of them at present, and an answer
to their enquiry.
3: The prophets - Haggai and Zechariah. Weep - Fast, in
remembrance of the burning of the temple on the tenth day
of that month. Separating myself - From worldly cares and designs.
5: Unto all the people - By their messengers. And seventh - For
the murder of Gedaliah, slain by Ishmael. Even to me - You pleased
yourselves in it, not me; you wept more for the inconveniences of
the thing than the sinfulness of it.
6: For yourselves - I was as little minded by you in your fasts, as
in your feasts.
7: Hear the words - You needed not have thus enquired, had you heeded
the written word. Prophets - Who have called for repentance, and sincere
love to God, and man, and shewed how light, formal services are.
Prosperity - Did such observances preserve Jerusalem in its prosperity?
Were they sufficient to save the men that inhabited the south of the plain?
Did they do no good when things were all safe and well? And do you imagine
they can profit you, now all is in ruins?
9: Spake - To your fathers.
10: Imagine evil - Neither think ill of, or with ill to, nor plot
evil against one another.
11: Pulled away - Withdrew their shoulder from the yoke of the law.
12: In his spirit - By his holy spirit.
14: They laid the land desolate - By their sins.
