Chapter 871 of 1163

ZECHARIAH 8

Zechariah is still answering the question about the fast, but he uses this opportunity to encourage the Jews in their work. “Do not fear!” (vv. 13, 15) is the emphasis of this brief message, and he gave them three promises to encourage them.

God will restore Jerusalem (1–8). He looked beyond that present day to the day when Messiah would come, establish His kingdom, and make Jerusalem a city of truth and peace. The old would sit safely in the sunny streets, and the children would play without fear.

God will prosper your work (9–17). The people had not been faithful to God, so He had withheld His blessing (Hag. 1:1–11); but now He would prosper their labors, bless them, and make them a blessing (1 Cor. 15:58).

God will turn fasting into feasting (18–23). In the future kingdom, there will be no need for fasting. The events of the past will be forgotten in the glory of the worship of the Lord. Jesus came to bring us joy, not sorrow (Matt. 9:14–17).

Traditions

The only fast God required of the Jews was on the annual Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29). The four fasts mentioned in Zechariah 8:19 commemorated (in order) the breaching of Jerusalem’s walls, the burning of the temple, the assassination of Gedaliah (Jer. 41), and the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. The nation was adept at developing new religious traditions, but it was not good at obeying the Word of God.

↑ Back to top