Chapters 7–8
The events in chapters 7-8 took place about two years after the eight visions in chapters 1-6, but they are morally connected, for they address the state of soul that must be found in the people in order to partake of the kingdom blessings described in the visions. This is given to us in the historical backdrop of the fasts the Jews imposed upon themselves when they were in captivity.
The Four Fasts
For seventy years (the duration of the Babylonian captivity) the people had been fasting in the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 10th months, mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (chap. 8:19). Each of the fasts marked a different thing that had occurred at the fall of Jerusalem. Given in the order in which they happened historically, they are:
The fast of the 4th month commemorated the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by which the Babylonians entered the city (2 Kings 25:3-43And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. 4And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain. (2 Kings 25:3‑4); Jer. 39:22And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. (Jeremiah 39:2); Zeph. 1:10-1110And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills. 11Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off. (Zephaniah 1:10‑11)).
The fast of the 7th month marked the anniversary of the murder of Gedaliah (2 Kings 25:22-2622And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler. 23And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men. 24And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you. 25But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah. 26And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees. (2 Kings 25:22‑26)).
These were self-imposed fasts which the Jews elected to observe on their own volition during their captivity in Babylon. Even though they were not instituted by God, they were, nevertheless, real fasts to God.
With the rebuilding going on as it was, and also given the fact that the people were soon to have a temple again, the question arose as to whether these fasts should be continued. Those of the city of “Bethel” sent a delegation to Jerusalem to make inquiry as to this (vss. 1-2). (The KJV says, “the house of God”—the literal meaning of the word “Bethel.” This could mislead the reader to think that the text is referring to the temple, but all critical translations render it “Bethel.”) The men from Bethel came to “the house of the LORD” (the temple at Jerusalem) and asked the priests: “Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” (vs. 3) The expression “these so many years” reveals the people’s weariness of those ritualistic ceremonies and their raising of the question implied a desire to discontinue them.
Four Prophetic Messages
In answer to their inquiry, Zechariah received four short messages he was to deliver to the people. These are marked in the passage by his stating that “the Word of the LORD” came unto him (chaps. 7:4, 7:8; 8:1; 8:18).
An Exposure of the State of the People
(chap. 7:4-7)
The first message was one of rebuke, exposing the empty formalism in their fasts. The people had probably commenced genuinely years earlier, but sadly, as time went on, their fasts had deteriorated into mere rituals. To search the people’s hearts as to this, Zechariah questioned them in the Word of the LORD: “When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month (the two major fasts) even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto Me, even to Me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?” (vss. 5-6) Thus, it was put to them frankly: Was there any spirituality to those fasts, or were they just being carried out as a dead formality? Zechariah then advised them to heed the words of “the former prophets” who had addressed this issue with the people long ago (vs. 7a). Their general message from the Lord was that God wanted reality from His people, not mere ritual. Hence, the word that Zechariah had for them was really just a repeat of “the words” of those earlier prophets; his message was nothing new. He reminded them that when there was right motivation and proper spiritual attitude among the people in those earlier days, blessing flowed over the nation abundantly. Jerusalem and the surrounding cities of Judah prospered and were peacefully inhabited (vs. 7b).
A Call to Repentance
(chap. 7:8-14)
The second message addressed the need for bringing forth fruits that proved their sincerity. As mentioned, God wanted inner reality rather than external formalism. If the mourning in their fasts was real, it would evidence itself in their conduct. There would be a change in their walk and ways that showed that they feared God; but this was sadly missing. Accordingly, Zechariah exhorted the people: “Execute true judgment, and show 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” (vss. 9-10).
Zechariah then warned them that they were in danger of making the same mistake the nation had made years earlier, which led to their exile—failure to obey the Word of God. He pointed to the former generation, that they might learn a lesson from them. They had “refused to hearken” to the Lord and had incurred His wrath. Three figures are used by the prophet to emphasize this: Firstly, they “pulled away the shoulder” (vs. 11a). This is taken from the conduct of an ox refusing the yoke. Secondly, they “stopped their ears” (vs. 11b). This refers to putting their fingers in their ears so they that they wouldn’t hear what was being said to them. Thirdly, they “made their hearts as an adamant stone” (vs. 12a). This is a stone that has been specially hardened so that it can cut other stones. As mentioned, this outright rebellion drew forth “great wrath from the LORD of Hosts” (vs. 12b) and resulted in His refusing to hear them when they cried for His help when attacked by the Chaldeans (vs. 13). He allowed them to be delivered into their hand, and “scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations” and desolated their “pleasant land” (vs. 14). The point here was that the very same thing could well happen to them if they disregarded the Word of the Lord as the former generation had.
A Promise of Full Restoration
(chap. 8:1-17)
Chapter 8 is a continuation of the Lord’s reply to the inquiry regarding the fasts (see verse 19). The prophetic messages in chapter 7 were negative in content; nonetheless, they were important and necessary. In contrast to that, the prophetic messages in chapter 8 are positive and encouraging. Viewed together, there is a progressive moral order in the four messages. Simply put, if what is addressed in chapter 7 were heeded, the people could expect to have the blessedness described in chapter 8.
The salient point in this third prophetic message is that the people’s present partial restoration was the harbinger of their eventual full restoration. All the people needed was the faith to believe the Word of the LORD given through the prophet concerning its certainty. This is emphasized in the expression: “Saith the LORD of Hosts”—used no less than 14 times in this chapter!
Zechariah began by affirming the Lord’s zeal regarding the restoration and ultimate blessing of Zion. He declared: “I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great fury” (vs. 2). He greatly desired Zion’s blessing, even more than the people did, and He assured them that a full restoration would result in the fact that He had already “returned unto Zion” and was dwelling there in “the midst of Jerusalem” (vs. 3a). This was not in the sense of having the Messiah present with them bodily, but in Spirit (Hag. 2:55According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. (Haggai 2:5)). The outward sign of the Lord’s presence in the Shekinah glory cloud was not there, but He was. The Shekinah glory as seen visibly over the temple was something that awaited the nation’s full restoration when the Messiah would be there (Ezek. 43:4-54And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. 5So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house. (Ezekiel 43:4‑5)). The Lord’s presence with the people in Spirit, in those times of partial restoration, was something that both Zechariah and Haggai emphasized (Hag. 1:13; 2:413Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord. (Haggai 1:13)
4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts: (Haggai 2:4)).
To further encourage the people, the Lord gave a series of promises (through the prophet) which guaranteed that there would be a full and final restoration forthcoming. It was something they could look forward to with confidence. In that day, the city of Jerusalem would have three new epitaphs denoting her millennial kingdom significance (vs. 3b):
The Spirit of God then led the prophet to describe the social conditions of Jerusalem in the future day. The city would be secure and safe from all enemy attacks and populated abundantly. Senior citizens and children alike will feel free to roam the streets without fear. “There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof” (vss. 4-5). That old people will use canes in the Millennium shows that the process of aging will still be felt, but it will be greatly slowed. Death will not overtake the righteous, for a man’s life will be “as the days of a tree” (Isa. 65:2222They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. (Isaiah 65:22)). People will live on earth for the duration of the Millennium, due to “the bondage of corruption” being lifted from the creation (Rom. 8:20-2220For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:20‑22)).
To the little remnant of Jews who were there in Jerusalem building at that time, this was hard to believe. Thus, the Lord reasoned with them: “If it be marvellous (difficult to believe) in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in Mine eyes? Saith the LORD of Hosts” (vs. 6). Not so! It wasn’t difficult for the Lord to think of, or to bring to pass, for He had been looking for that day of blessing all along. The Lord went on to explain how He would do it: “Behold, I will save My people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness” (vss. 7-8). The Lord promised to effect a worldwide in-gathering of Israelites whereby the rest of the nation (who are righteous) would be gathered back into the land. This will be done by the Lord sending out His angels (Matt. 24:3131And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31)) who will stir up the Gentile nations to assist them in their return to their homeland (Isa. 14:1-2; 49:22-23; 60:9-101For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. 2And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. (Isaiah 14:1‑2)
22Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 23And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. (Isaiah 49:22‑23)
9Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. 10And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee. (Isaiah 60:9‑10)).
Encouragements Amid the Hardships Connected With the Present Partial Restoration
Since this was a sure thing vouchsafed by the Word of the Lord, the prophet turned to give a practical exhortation to the people from the Lord. They were to “let” their “hands be strong” and put their energy into completing the rebuilding of the temple (vs. 9). Before they started working on the temple, there had been much “affliction [distress]” which the people had to endure. There was widespread unemployment and violence in the streets, and the Lord had allowed it to arrest their attention (vs. 10). But now the Lord promised to give them good days wherein they could turn their energies toward building without fear of being molested. There would be a time of peace and prosperity in the land (vss. 11-12) and they would no longer be a “curse” among the heathen, but rather, a “blessing” (vs. 13). Just as surely as the Lord had promised calamity upon them when they were disobedient in their pre-exilic days, so now He promised to “do good” to them in these days of restoration (vss. 14-15). This they could be assured of if they showed that they truly feared God by ridding themselves of all falsehood, dishonesty, and evil from their dealings with one another (vss. 16-17).
The Prospect of Feasting & Rejoicing
(chap. 8:18-23)
In the fourth prophetic message, the Lord (through the prophet) addressed the inquiry that the delegates from Bethel had regarding the fasts. He said: “The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace” (vs. 19). The Lord’s response might seem vague and evasive, but His answer was simply that the “fasts” should continue until they turn into “feasts.” This would not be until the Messiah had come and the nation was fully restored. Since at that time their restoration was very incomplete, it was no time for them to quit fasting. The people should, therefore, continue them with all sincerity until the Messiah established His kingdom. By giving an indirect answer, as the Lord did, He avoided making it a legal command, leaving it a matter for the hearts and consciences of the people, for those fasts were not part of the Mosaic Law.
Not only will Israel partake in the blessedness of the Messianic kingdom, but the Gentile nations will have a place in it too (Psa. 47:99The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. (Psalm 47:9); Isa. 55:1-5; 56:6-71Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. 5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. (Isaiah 55:1‑5)
6Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. (Isaiah 56:6‑7); Zech. 2:1111And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:11)). Gentiles from every point on earth will come to Jerusalem to “pray” before the Lord. “Yet again shall there come peoples (Gentiles), and the inhabitants of many (Gentile cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to supplicate Jehovah, and to seek Jehovah of hosts: I will go also. And many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek Jehovah of hosts in Jerusalem, and to supplicate Jehovah” (vss. 20-22). In that day, the Jews will be God’s channel of blessing to the world (Isa. 60:1-51Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 5Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. (Isaiah 60:1‑5)). They will be famous among men on earth (Isa. 61:99And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. (Isaiah 61:9)), which is an incredible contrast to how they are viewed today (Psa. 44:13-1413Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. 14Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. (Psalm 44:13‑14)). People will know that God is with the Jews and that they are His people. As a result, the Gentiles will court the favour of the Jews and will gladly worship their God—Jehovah. “In those days shall ten men shall take hold, out of all languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you” (vs. 23). “Ten men” from all the “nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” (Rev. 7:99After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Revelation 7:9)) going to Jerusalem with the Jews, refers to a representation of the various Gentile nations sending an ambassage to the holy city to show their allegiance to Israel’s God. Likewise, “incense shall be offered” to the Lord in every country on earth to show the respect they will have for Jehovah (Mal. 1:1111For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:11)).