71 And it cometh to pass, in the fourth year of Darius the king hath a word of Jehovah been unto Zechariah, in the fourth of the ninth month, in Chisleu. 2 And Beth-El sendeth Sherezer and Regem-Melech, and its men, to appease the face of Jehovah, 3 speaking unto the priests who 'are' at the house of Jehovah of Hosts, and unto the prophets, saying, 'Do I weep in the fifth month—being separated—as I have done these so many years?' 4 And there is a word of Jehovah of Hosts unto me, saying: 5 'Speak unto all the people of the land, and unto the priests, saying: 6 When ye fasted with mourning in the fifth and in the seventh 'months'—even these seventy years—did ye keep the fast 'to' Me—Me? And when ye eat, and when ye drink, is it not ye who are eating, and ye who are drinking? 7 'Are not 'these' the words that Jehovah proclaimed by the hand of the former prophets, in Jerusalem's being inhabited, and 'in' safety, and its cities round about it, and the south and the plain—abiding?'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Zechariah 7:1-7
Commentary on Zechariah 7:1-7
(Read Zechariah 7:1-7)
If we truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we must not only consult his word and ministers, but seek his direction by fervent prayer. Those who would know God's mind should consult God's ministers; and, in doubtful cases, ask advice of those whose special business it is to search the Scriptures. The Jews seemed to question whether they ought to continue their fasts, seeing that the city and temple were likely to be finished. The first answer to their inquiry is a sharp reproof of hypocrisy. These fasts were not acceptable to God, unless observed in a better manner, and to better purpose. There was the form of duty, but no life, or soul, or power in it. Holy exercises are to be done to God, looking to his word as our rule, and his glory as our end, seeking to please him and obtain his favour; but self was the centre of all their actions. And it was not enough to weep on fast days; they should have searched the Scriptures of the prophets, that they might have seen what was the ground of God's controversy with their fathers. Whether people are in prosperity or adversity, they must be called upon to leave their sins, and to do their duty.