Discuss Zechariah 7

Zechariah 7

Verse 3 states:

"And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?"

Verse 4-6 state: 4 Then came the word of the Lord of hosts unto me, saying, 5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? 6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?

We are reminded here of parallel passages in Isaiah 58; verse 4 states "Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high."

Zechariah 7:9-10 goes on to say 9 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: 10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

Again in Isaiah 58:6-7 we see simiilar admonitions: 6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

We can see here in the rest of this chapter in Zechariah the results which were the captivity; in the Isaiah passage the end of that chapter talks about blessings should they heed a correct fast in their worship. These are all things we should take into consideration if we find ourselves going through the motions of worship without putting our heart into it. Revelation 2:4 is a good warning for our example in this matter.

Deuteronomy 10:12-20, Deuteronomy 26, Deuteronomy 27, Deuteronomy 16:11, Leviticus 25, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 1:23, Zechariah 7:10, Malachi 3:5-12, Jeremiah 2:34, Jeremiah 7:5,6,7, Jeremiah 22:3, Isaiah 3:14,

Proverbs 15:25,= Jeremiah 39:10, Jeremiah 52:16, Proverbs 21:13,

Deuteronomy 15:9, = Jeremiah 34:8-22,

Hopefully these are helpful

Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 7, Exodus 22:22, Psalms 146:9, Deuteronomy 24:17, Proverbs 15:25, Zechariah 7:10, Deuteronomy 24:20, Jeremiah 22:3, Deuteronomy 26:12, Malachi 3:5, Romans 14:12

Zechariah 1:1,

I believe you may be mistaken, not the Word of GOD

In my study I looked up the "Court"

The Court : Exodus 27, in the tabernacle, Exodus 40:20-33, the House: 1Kings 6:16-36, 1Kings 8:64, 2 Chronicles 4:6-22, Solomon made,

2Chronicles 24:18-27, Court, before captivity into Babylon, note Isaiah was prophesing of it, in 2 Chronicles,

Zechariah, Zacharias, etc. 2Chronicles 29:1, 2Kings 14:29, 2Kings 18:2 2Kings 15:8,11, even Luke 1:5,12,13,18,21,40,59,67,

There seems to be several men with same name, but Jesus specified "the son of Barachias" Zechariah 1:1, note: Luke 11:50-51, Matthew 23:31-39, 'between the temple & the alter '

Zechariah son of Berechaih was alive prophesing during the 2nd year of Darius, Zechariah 1:1, seemingly During: Daniel 6:1, Daniel 9:1, Daniel 11:1, the time of rebuilding, Ezra 4:24, Ezra 5:7, Ezra 6:13, Haggai 1:15, Haggai 2:10, Nehemiah 12:22,

Please note Zechariah 7:1, the house of The LORD was rebuilt & Zechariah approached their sin, Zechariah 7, he even speaks of the 70 years of captivity: Zechariah 7:5,

Hopefully these are helpful

Here are a few scriptures that really rattled me: Psalms 10:10, in context: Psalms 10, whole chapter.

* Leviticus 19:15, Amos 2:6-7, Amos 5:12, Amos 8:4, Habakkuk 3:14,

Scriptures about the poor: Exodus 22:25, Exodus 23:1-11, Leviticus 19:10, Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:14,15,

Job 29:11-17, Job 30:25, Job 31:13-40, Job 34:19-28,

Leviticus 25:25-55, Deuteronomy 15:1-15,

1Samuel 2:7-8, Job 24, Matthew 19:21,

Psalms 9:18, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 14:6,

Galatians 2:10, Zechariah 7:10, Luke 14:12-14, may want to keep reading Luke 14,

Matthew 5:3, Luke 6:20,

Hopefully these are helpful

Daniel 1:1-3, as promised in Jeremiah, & other Old Testament books, if Israel didn't turn from : Exodus 22:22, Jeremiah 7:6, Jeremiah 23:3, Zechariah 7:10-14, Isaiah 1:17, warned & warned & warned by GOD through HIS prophets, Malachi 3:5, 2Kings 20:17-18, promised it would happen. Jeremiah 52:26-34,

Daniel 1:4, the children taken capacity,

Daniel 1:5-16, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, & some of Exodus covers the foods that Jewish children were by GOD's Laws not suppose to eat, it was wisdom

Daniel 1:17-21 stood before the king, seems to say they stood by the king in service & advisers.

Daniel 2,

1st let's look at threat Daniel 2:5, if he had made all the young boys eunuchs & Jeremiah 52, would have caused fear.

Daniel 2:1-13, just like Daniel 1:20, shows that king was seeking every type of teaching but they all fail

Daniel 2:14-24, GOD ALMIGHTY is Awesome & amazing!! Psalms 44:22,

Daniel 2:25-26, sad reminder that Daniel was of the captives of Judah, also the king had changed his name. (significantly there are Babylonian records with that name so it's interesting it's noted in Bible)

Daniel 2:27-30 :to GOD be the Glory

Daniel 2:31-45 the dream of the king & interpretation , with much symbolism

Daniel 2:46,48, different later, Daniel tells that king's son, no: Daniel 5:17,

Daniel 2:47 Glory to GOD

Daniel 2:49, interesting note of favor also seen in chapter 1,

Daniel 3, looks like the king misunderstood or took that "gold" interpretation out of context from symbolic "golden head" from dream Daniel 2:31,32,38,

Daniel 3:6 threats again, & rage Daniel 3:13,19,20,21,22,23

Daniel 3:8,12,16,17,18 just like Daniel 1, didn't want to turn from GOD's Laws

Daniel 3:24-27 GOD's amazing deliverance

Daniel 3:28 to GOD be Glory

Yet threats again of brutal violence Daniel 3:29,

Daniel 3:30 promotion again, through obedience to GOD

Daniel 4, told through that king when GOD humbled him,

Daniel 4:18,19, used name he gave Daniel

Hi Cecil, please read Psalm 37,

I knew a guy named Cecil at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. He adopted a 6month old baby girl that had been horrificly abused. I read your post several times. I closed the ap. Had to pray a little & think on your post. I haven't heard from our friend Cecil since I was a teenager. The MBAFB shut down shortly after those days & everyone moved away.

Cecil, GOD is Just. Have you heard of Moses? In Genesis, Abraham was promised several amazing things, a son from his 'wife', in their old age, etc. Gen. 12:2,3,7, but also that those heirs would be servant in strange land & afflicted 400 yrs. Genesis 15:12-13, if you read in depth you can find GOD's justice. Genesis 12:10-17, Genesis 16:1-16, Genesis 21:9-19 = it was in Egypt, Abraham's children of Sarah's son Isaac's offspring were afflicted.

Genesis 18, shows great mercy of GOD that if 10 righteous were in that land (Sodom & Gomorrah) it would've been spared. That's his Nephew Lot's friends & family. ?, Right here is proof the GOD interecedes on People's behalf when they obey HIM.

GOD's ways are not our ways, Isaiah 55:8,9,

We cannot blame GOD for wickedness of man = Genesis 6:5-6,

Yet GOD shows us mercy & unimaginable love, John 3:16-17, salvation through sacrifice, Psalms 18:25-27,

GOD is merciful, true & Just. If you read the books that go alongside Isaiah you'll get a clearer picture: 2Chronicles 36, Jeremiah 29, Jeremiah 51, Exodus 22:22, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 1:23, Jeremiah 7:6, Jeremiah 22:3, Ezekiel 22:7, Malachi 3:5, Zechariah 7:10, you can start with those verses because that's most of what GOD asked of Israel & Judah. Then please read the Books & chapters.

Then Babylon: 2Kings 20:12-18,19, Daniel 1, 2Kings 25:8-9, I stopped there because that's enough about the evil.

Hopefully these are helpful if you are trying to search for truth & understanding. You can also ask for wisdom James 1:5-6,21,

Job 38:1-41, James 4:12,

* Hebrews 7:25,

Ezekiel 24:6 Ezekiel is a Prophet of GOD ALMIGHTY as proclaimed Ezekiel 1:1-3, & verified because his prophecies happened. Seething means boiling.

Ezekiel 24:2 Jeremiah, Isaiah & other Prophets warned Israel & Judah that if they didn't do away with oppression, holding back wages of hired, justice, judgement for widows & fatherless children then they would be captured by Babylon.

Exodus 22:22, Deuteronomy 24:17, Isaiah 1:11-25, Jeremiah 7:3-7, Jeremiah 22:3-22, Ezekiel 22:7, Zechariah 7:8-11, Malachi 3:5-

& to stop worship of other false gods: Jeremiah 7:18, Isaiah 58,

Jeremiah 34:7-22,

During this GOD talking with Ezekiel, Ezekiel 24:1-14,

Ezekiel 24:15-19, GOD tells HIS Prophets to do very difficult things at times. "tire = headress, turban ' then explains why & what that meant : Ezekiel 24:20-25

Ezekiel 24:26-27 is amazing because from, Ezekiel 3:26-27, Jeremiah seems to be unable to speak, until chapter 6. & possibly from & apparently from Ezekiel 24:27, until Ezekiel 33:21-22, therefore fulfilling the Prophecy.

Sometimes studying much reveals much & more difficult questions sometimes take longer for understanding.

Hopefully this is helpful.

Celeste,

you are correct. Fasting is a good spiritual work. It can be a fast planned a head of time or at regular intervals, for some people, or it can be a fast when something serious arises that warrants a time to fast and pray, and sometimes one is prompted to fast though the reason and situation is unknown to the person, but the Holy Spirit prays with the person as intercession is made for an unknown circumstance.

I've come to understand Zechariah is not a condemnation of fasting, but rather a wake-up call to examine our heart, that it is pure and guiding us to treat one another with true judgement, without malice. We (Christians) are called to be merciful to all others, particularly the vulnerable. To the degree that we do not, our fasting is in vain.

I hear you Lou, and agree. I frequently pray with people in The Prayer Request Room.

Anyone is welcome to go in there and pray with the people. We're All called to do the work of an evangelist: which means to carry the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus to someone else; or share a testimony of how Jesus healed or blessed us.

If you go in there, check the THREAD button to see if they have been prayed with yet.

All born again Christians are going to be at the Bema Seat judgment with Christ Jesus. It is a time to receive rewards....or loss of rewards. This is when Christ followers will receive crowns, or not. Then we will cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus and rejoice with Him.

Mishael

Great post Lou! God Bless you brother.

Have we noticed that, the commonality of those commenting and discussing God's Word here are from God's children. Children that think of God throughout their day in everything they do. Children who dwell upon God's word for guidance and security. children that seek understanding. This is a safe haven for us and I see God's Spirit in those that believe His Word. Yet, we need to do more to pray for others to answer God's knock at their door. How is it that all we hear on Social & Televised Media has nothing to do with God's Word? It may be best to leave these platforms behind, they neither build your character or assist in building the character of others who are longing to find this safe haven in God's Word in their lives. Heavenly Father: Give us your strength to assist you in your work on others in this world. Help us to put aside racial, financial & political difference which are of no use to the eternal characters of our souls that you build for us all to praise you throughout eternity. In Jesus name, Amen.

healing for my son Aaron's traumatic brain injury and his body that has been broken in many places. He's been thru so much since being hit by car on his motorcycle.

to hear for god .

Hi Wayne,

I noticed you wrote: "shouldn't the Bible say, "Slavery is wrong -- you may have no slaves"?"

First, the Bible doesn't say slavery is morally right anywhere. If you assume that, please state where you think it says that. It says the opposite, though. Not every sin is explained in detail as a comprehensive list as what not to do. Matthew 22:36-40 - 2 greatest commandments say love your neighbor. You can't enslave someone beyond their will and be loving, so its obviously wrong.

There's a verse people commonly cite which is addressed to slaves to be content. Just because something is addressed to someone doesn't mean it's ok.

To anyone who reads the Bible and seeking to know God and emulate Jesus's character it's obvious that slavery and oppressing others is wrong if someone is actually, not everything morally wrong is specifically stated in the Bible, because there's countless ways to harm others. It also doesn't say to not look at pornography and isn't specific to all sexual sins, but if someone made that argument, they would obviously be using a logical fallacy too.

The Bible is full of examples to be kind and loving to each other. Example: Zechariah 7:9-10.

The Bible is also a book of history and real historical things documented, including many negative things. So a common fallacy is people assume just because it says something in the Bible means it's morally ok. No, there was death, slavery, and horrible things happening in that time and it doesn't mean it was morally allowed by God. Everyone will be judged fairly. Slavery was one of the many unfortunate ways people suffered back then- over a million Israelites were slaves in Egypt.

There was also a form of servitude back then which was common for the culture- which was closer to a job in some cases, even though people enjoy calling it slavery in order to strengthen their argument. You can go to a kibbutz today in Israel if you want and see what it's like- would that make you a slave? Volunteering for something to get something in return isn't slavery.

To FRED SCANLAN

Also, please read Zechariah 7::11 and Hebrews 12:25.

Seek, and ye shall find ( Matthew 7:7).

Greetings from Nova Scotia.

Andy & Dianne van den Berg

This chapter in Zecharish is what God requires of everyone justice for all people's. This what is going on in 2020 injustice for all of God childern . God demands justice .

the above chapter (back then) and 2018 (today) are identical twins and their behaviors are identical, so both receive the same. verse 11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. 12 ... therefore came a 'great wrath' from the LORD of hosts. WOW! WOW! WOW!

Larry Bus Driver; That is so true! And like Zedekiah, even while the judgment is already in action; (the Babylonians and the Egyptians were already the ones calling the shots and telling the Jews what they can and can't do); STILL they hold to false ideas about the Lord and the meaning of the times. Many Christians likewise hold to false hopes and erroneous doctrines, and still want the world.

"Having the form of godliness but denying the power thereof, from such turn away." People always think that they're OK. King Zedekiah, in the days of approaching judgment as the Babylonians appeared, still asked the prophet Jeremiah to go and seek the LORD that he might fight for them even though he had been told just the opposite and the consequences of their resistance so didn't prepare their <3

Verse 9: We want to deal with one another with true justice, but at the same time we must be merciful with one another.

"Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart." To those who tell you that you sin every day, WHICH COMMANDMENT is it exactly, that you can't help but break? Murder? Adultery? Lying? Serving idols? Who is the accuser?

Zechariah 7. Lessons derived : Is not all about how long

that we must be obedient to God's word and love our brothers and sisters. show our love to God by living it every Day of our lives.

Zechariah is told to speak to the priest, the prophets, and all the people to execute true judgment, mercy, and compassion to their fellow man. Nevertheless, they turned a cold shoulder to the word of the Lord, and God dispensed them into the other Gentile kingdoms for their disobedience. The widows, the fatherless, the alien, and the poor need justice, but they were being exploited, and this broke the heart of God. We are seeing the same things being done today. We must do justice, love mercy, and walk humble before our God, to be pleasing in His sight.

its a good book!!

I still need more clarification on the meaning of this chapter

Lord God in Heaven, Your Word will stand forever!! Amen. Give us to accept The Blood of Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that we may walk in obedience to Your Will and not ours.

It is actually all about obeying God. Disobedience is an act of rebellion and God will not hear us when we call upon HIM. It must be a terrible thing for God not to hearken to our petitions or intervene on our behalf because of our stubbornness; total alienation, darkness and pathetic. Fasting, mourning on the 5th and 7th month, even for 70 years were all wasteful due to disobedience.. God help us to be completely sold out for you, mold and make us unto your will... that our lives will bring you praise and honor in the land of the living...Amen.