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 sets the stage for a divine inquiry directed through the prophet Zechariah. The Hebrew word for "ask" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies a seeking of understanding or clarification. It is significant that the inquiry is directed to both "the people of the land" and "the priests," indicating that the message is for the entire community, both laypeople and religious leaders. This reflects the inclusive nature of God's communication, emphasizing that spiritual introspection and obedience are required from all, regardless of status.

When you fasted and mourned
The Hebrew words for "fasted" (צוּם, tsum) and "mourned" (סָפַד, saphad) are deeply connected to acts of humility and repentance. Historically, fasting and mourning were expressions of penitence and sorrow, often in response to calamity or sin. This phrase calls the people to reflect on the sincerity of their past religious practices. Were these acts genuine expressions of repentance, or mere ritualistic observances?

in the fifth and seventh months
These specific months refer to traditional fasts observed by the Jewish people. The fifth month commemorated the destruction of the First Temple, while the seventh month included the Fast of Gedaliah, marking the assassination of the Jewish governor after the Babylonian conquest. These fasts were deeply rooted in historical events that shaped the identity and spiritual journey of the Israelites. The mention of these months serves as a reminder of the collective memory and the lessons that should be drawn from past experiences.

for the past seventy years
The "seventy years" is a significant period, often associated with the Babylonian exile. This timeframe underscores a prolonged period of reflection and potential spiritual stagnation. It invites the audience to consider whether their religious practices during this time were transformative or merely habitual. The seventy years also echo the prophetic words of Jeremiah, who foretold the duration of the exile, thus linking Zechariah's message to a broader prophetic tradition.

was it really for Me that you fasted?
This rhetorical question from God challenges the authenticity of the people's religious observance. The emphasis on "for Me" (לִי, li) highlights the importance of intention in worship. It calls into question whether their fasting was truly an act of devotion to God or if it had become a self-serving ritual. This introspective question encourages believers to examine their own spiritual practices, ensuring that their worship is genuinely directed towards God and not merely an external display.

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.